Clearly Now, the Rain

the long version

"A deeply personal rumination on the existential explanations for the desperation and sadness experienced by those suffering from addiction and mental disorder, this nuanced memoir brings to life the troubled, decade-long relationship between Eli Hastings and his friend Serala. At family events, Serala wore saris and ate delicately from plates of curry. But elsewhere, she wore a lip ring, designer shades, and a cowboy hat; would regularly drink frat boys under the table; would sleep less than five hours a week; and would place herself in dangerous situations for another bag of heroin. Serala's complex character and seemingly haphazard choices are made real, from ill-advised quests for narcotics in Mexican border towns to unplanned 50-hour road trips from L.A. to New York City. Although her dark and traumatic journey concluded tragically at age 27, Eli Hastings writes with hopeful resolution about his unique friendship"--Amazon.com, viewed June 6, 2013.