The Tempest of Clemenza: A Novel

by Glenda Adams

This dark, intelligent, aching tale within a tale within a tale tells the story of young Clemenza's last day of life in Ludlow, Vermont. "You are seduced into enjoying yourself only to find at a most uncomfortable moment that this is for real".--Sydney Morning Herald.

297 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Glenda Emilie Adams (née Felton; 30 December 1939 – 11 July 2007) was an Australian novelist and short story writer, probably best known as the winner of the 1987 Miles Franklin Award for Dancing on Coral. She was a teacher of creative writing, and helped develop writing programs.

Adams' work is found in her own books and short story collections, in numerous short story anthologies, and in journals and magazines.Her essays, stories and articles have been published in, among other magazines, Meanjin, The New York Times Book Review, Panorama, Quadrant, Southerly, Westerly, The Sydney Morning Herald, The (London) Observer and The Village Voice.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories within stories. I had to keep my wits about me with this book. I loved that the writing style changed according to whose story was being told and that there was an unfinished element to every story. Like life, stories never end - the story you are living today is made up of all the stories you have lived in the past.

The contrast of Cornelia Benn's life and her hopes and plans for the future contrasted so heart breakingly with the reality of how life had turned out for Abel. But that's what happens; that's life.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some information about the book here. I vaguely remember reading the book but most of the details are fuzzy.