Finding Lily: A Memoir

by Richards Clewes

Part travelogue, part contemplation, Finding Lily is a rich visual record in words and illustrated postcards (mailed by the author to himself along the way) describing the events and people who guide his journey through four continents and diverse cultures. Along the way the author draws life lessons from a Rastafarian tennis pro, a lesbian helicopter pilot stranded on a New Zealand beach, a Balinese Hindu priest and a Russian Afghanistan war vet turned LA cabbie. From grief to redemptive hope and joy, the narrative is at once humorous and deeply felt.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Memoir

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2007

About the author

Richard Clewes is an internationally recognized creative director whose work has won prizes internationally, including at the Cannes Advertising Film Festival.

Finding Lily, Clewes’ memoir about the continuation of life in the face of his wife's suicide, was published in 2006 to acclaim in Canada, U.S.A., and Korea.

He is presently working on a novel entitled The Ghost of St. Eustatius. Clewes has been a member of Authors at Harbourfront Centre's Board of Directors since 2007.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do yourself a favour and read this book. It's beautifully written, rich with both telling description and hard won insights, and gorgeous with illustrated postcards and thoughtful quotes throughout.

[booksbyzahra]

DNF @ 40%
December 2019

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir written by a husband after his wife has committed suicide.
Clewes was a man who struggled with his wife’s bipolar disorder for 10 years. It played havoc with both their marriage and their finances. Shortly after she left and they separated, she jumped from the balcony of her mother’s apartment. Clewes is devastated and tries to find a way to deal with his grief. A successful advertising executive and an avid runner, he is anxious “to do” something to gain back his center. Armed only with his grief and his sketchpad he sets out on a six month world trip across four continents and four cultures. His writing and sketches mark his travel through the landscapes as well as his grief.
A moving account of how he finds ways to move on in his life.

[Cheryl Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

After his wife takes her own life, the author stops working, abandons the safe confines of a familiar life and launches himself on a three-month trip around the world with not much more than his sorrow, bewilderment, diary, pen and sketchbook. Clewes records his sojourn in both words and illustrated postcards, which he mails to himself along the way … and ultimately, he finds Lily in Queenstown. http://cherylandrews.wordpress.com/20...

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wonderful! It is definately one I'd read again and again. And if you've read this book, I found my lily. I hope everyone eventually finds their lily.

[Ashok Raghupathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is very detailed, i especially enjoyed the travel part and the sketches and postcards make it unique.