I was sent an email recently from a fan concerning Clarence. I thought it’d be nice to post it with my reply.

Hi, I’d just like to say first of, I really enjoyed the clarence principle. The story was just something I never read before. How the artwork can project the feeling of the story is beyond effective. I have just been extremely puzzled about its meaning leading me to conclude that it’s intentionally ambiguous, and leaves the reader to decide the ending. I can’t help but think that it involves a deeper meaning in death.

While flipping through the pages I found a background quote in the courtyard scene which I believe in complete text it says: “sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt”. Which is latin for “Tears for things, morality touches the heart”. I don’t know if I’m going anywhere with this but it’s just been really bugging me. I don’t know if it’s just there to fill in space or something like that.

Anything you can say to me that can give me a little insight would be great, I’d be satisfied with even just an answer to the background quote.

Thanks,
Jay

My reply is a bit long. I cut out spoilers, but I hope what I discussed in the email doesn’t ruin things for anyone. I mean, I have so much I want to say and discuss, but I always worry that what I say publicly might spoil things for people who haven’t read the book yet. Read on if you’d like.
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