Clearing: A memoir of art, family and mental health

The Clearing is a powerful account of what we must do with the things we cannot know, written by Samantha Clark who reflects on her inheritance and the life of her parents. It explores the need for creativity and solitude and how the works and lives of others can help us understand the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

This house has been a constant presence in my life, a familiar backdrop to my memories. Every time I step inside, a sense of melancholy washes over me, as if the walls are holding onto the weight of the past.

My heart sinks a little as I navigate through the rooms, sifting through the clutter that has accumulated over the years. The memories of my mother's long and sedated years of mental illness and my father's retreat into the world of amateur radio and model planes haunt me.

As I ponder my inheritance, a deep need for creativity and solitude arises from a childhood filled with anxiety and confusion. I find solace in weaving the works and lives of others into my narrative, drawing inspiration from celebrated painter Agnes Martin and scientist of dark matter Vera Rubin.

In "The Clearing," Samantha Clark explores the delicate balance between words and thought, rendering the world within and the world of ideas with electric sensitivity and acute intelligence. Her writing gracefully navigates the subtle edges of existence, offering insights and perspectives that linger long after the last page is turned.

Jay Griffiths

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 126 x 196 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349143729