Spilling Clarence

Anne Ursu

The Harris-Jones psychological drug factory is located in Clarence, a small town somewhere in the northern middle of America. The other major industry in the city is a university famous for its mind and brain studies. A microwave breaks down and starts a fire at the factory. The fire creates a toxic spill. The citizens of Clarence are unwittingly (and unwillingly) exposed to a neurological drug.

At first everything seems to be fine. Professor Benjamin Singer and his daughter Sophie are part of the many town's residents who continue on with their daily life. His mother, a famous author, lives in a senior community in Clarence. As time goes on, they begin to have glimpses of old memories surface more clearly. Elusive smells, sights, and sounds bring back forgotten friends and loves. Clarence is experiencing the toxic side effects of the spill. The people in the city are regaining all their memories...all of them.

There are parts of our memories we would prefer to forget. Not only bad memories, as the man who was in Dauchau concentration camp during WW II, but good memories. Bennie Singer can remember his time with his wife before she died. This novels explores what would happen if humans could remember everything that has happened to them.

Ursu refrains from going back to birth as she makes this exploration. The youngest memories specifically mentioned are at the age of 3. She puts together a fascinating story. Her narrative occasionally refers to the future, then pulls back to the present. This is a comfortable story, not dark or horrific. It addresses the potential problems without making the novel frightening. The end of the novel is disappointing - not as strong as the rest of it. I still recommend this first novel by this new author.