Clara is sick of Vermont. How did she even end up there? The gossiping neighbours have their knives out for her, she can never stick to all the rules, nobody appreciates her dog, and those foggy periods where she can’t think straight are getting worse. All she wants is to get back to Florida, where she was happy – but how to get there? Sure, she has a few friends, but they never seem to back her up on the important stuff, and what could be more important than leaving Vermont? Maybe a new friend is what she needs, someone who will understand what she needs, and get her to the sunshine state without delay. Yes, a new friend seems like just the ticket – and if you can’t trust a brand new friend, who can you trust?

In this sequel to one of my all-time favourite indie books, Clara & Pig, Mary Ann Tippett has delivered another fascinating insight into the life of a feisty dementia sufferer, pulling the reader into the confused and confusing world that Clara inhabits. While we inevitably understand some of the events described better than Clara does herself, there are times when the reader is almost as lost as the titular character. This helps to build an atmosphere of anxiety, doubt and, at times, hopelessness that feels very real. However, the book is not without its lighter moments, and remains and enjoyable read despite the sadness of Clara’s condition and circumstances. She is certainly no saint-like martyr, and many of the story’s more humorous moments arise from Clara’s abrasive attitude to those around her. There’s always the possibility that things might get better, and the pages fly by as we are kept in suspense to find out the fate of our strangely lovable heroine until the very end.

This is not just a book for people who have been affected by dementia - I strongly recommend the series to anyone who enjoys books about the kind of challenging adventures that real people face up to every day.