Letters from East of Nowhere - by F Kennerly Clay (Paperback)

About the Book

A hippie culture memoir about an unconventional, alcoholic upbringing

Book Synopsis

"My father's mugshots are strewn all over the internet..."

For fans of The Glass Castle and Lit, comes author F. Kennerly Clay's personal story, a hippie culture memoir about an unconventional, alcoholic upbringing.

So begins this gritty and intimate memoir that unveils the unmistakable, indelible love between a woman and the father she knows almost entirely from a cache of letters sent from a lifetime on the road.

Letters from East of Nowhere is a deeply personal tale about the consequences of a life free of commitments against a backdrop of wandering, music, and overindulgence. It was the free-spirited lifestyle romanticized in Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel On the Road that beckoned to Kennerly Clay's father, which also led him to a lifetime of failed relationships, mishaps with the law, and a never-ending struggle with alcoholism. Aside from booze, his only constant was a passion for the written word, and throughout the years he sent letters, poetry, and expressions of his undying love for his children.

While Kennerly paints an earnest portrait of her father, at the heart of this story is a tale of inspiration and personal discovery, the uncovering of some of life's more important moments that were lost in her childhood, and others newly found. It's an unflinching reckoning with the wake that ripples through a family when one is gripped in the clutches of addiction.

In the writing of Letters from East of Nowhere, Kennerly Clay has found her own voice, delivering a wonderfully honest reflection on life, on the passionate craziness of the Sixties, and on learning to love a father who would always choose alcohol over everything else.

Review Quotes

Thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, the book sheds light on the complex issue of addiction and its impact on families, with characters so well-drawn we feel like we're living through the experience with them. A must-read for anyone who's been touched by addiction and seeks to understand the power of forgiveness, healing and redemption.

DENISE BARON, Ayurvedic practitioner and wellness expert, Wellness 360

One of the most powerful messages of this memoir is its emphasis on the importance of compassion and understanding in healing family relationships. The author demonstrates that, no matter how destructive the effects of addiction may be, there is always hope for healing and renewal. By embracing the principles of recovery and working together as a family, even the most shattered relationships can be mended or transformed into

something stronger and more resilient. Highly recommended, with honor.

ASHLEY B. COOK, M.Ed., LPC, LMHC, NCC, ABC

Therapies, Mind & Life Empowerment

"What was most interesting to me was looking at the author's family karma, the patterns of alcoholism and abuse that were passed down from generation to generation. But talents are also passed down from the ancestors. Although Kennerly's dad, a clever writer with a gift for word play and a sharp mind, lacked the self-discipline, fortitude, and support to become a published author, his legacy lives on through his daughter's strength, wit, and commitment to sobriety - and having his and her voices be heard."

DJUNA WOJTON, spiritual healer, astrologer, and author of several books, including Karmic Healing and Karmic Choices