FINALIST FOR THE 2015 HILARY WESTON WRITERS’ TRUST NONFICTION PRIZE
Jury Citation: “With unwavering honesty, Lynette Loeppky navigates labyrinths of hospital wards and the human heart – while asking hard questions about what we owe each other, what we owe ourselves. By turns poignant and poetic, brutal and reflective, Cease is a compelling character study and an unflinching look at the end of love. A remarkable debut by an assured and talented author, Cease will haunt readers long after they’ve turned the last page.”
LAMBDA LITERARY AWARDS FINALIST
ALBERTA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST
Cease, the tough-and-tender debut memoir from Alberta writer Lynette Loeppky tells the story of a young woman who has decided to leave an eight-year relationship. As Lyn begins to plan her exit, her partner Cecile suddenly falls ill. In a tumultuous drop towards a complicated end, the young woman is forced to become care-giver to the woman she had been planning to leave. Told with a frank and intimate voice, Cease offers an unsentimental look at the inner workings of a uniquely difficult relationship that is revealed for what it is – more human than strange.
CALGARY LAUNCH
The release of Cease was celebrated at Shelf Life Books in Calgary. The audience was enthusiastic and engaged. Lynette read from her memoir and discussed her work with Calgary writer and critic, Aritha van Herk.
READERS’ PRAISE
Your writing makes me want to follow you on your journey. A book like this needed to be born. BZ
Just finished your book. Couldn’t put it down!! Impressed by the relationship descriptions that were so raw and deep. Congratulations on such a good book! BVM
A compelling and engaging read. Once in, you cannot leave it – we know how the book will end but we are compelled to stay with the story. The structure is amazing. Somehow your writing about Cec’s last days helped me understand my mother’s death better. That’s the beauty of literature – through someone else’s experience, your own experience can become richer and clearer. Your book really does this in spades. CH
I could feel your pain, frustration, sadness, anger. Regardless of the relationships we have, whether with women or men, you put into words the feelings I and many others have experienced…whether we should stay or go….always holding out hope that they do love us. PM
Cease is a story of unapologetic complicated emotions. Can you love someone and still want to leave them? Can your heart break at your loved ones illness, and still want to go home and sleep? The story is tragic, but the writing carries you through it without dampening any of the difficulties. I found myself smiling and sometimes laughing at some of Lynette’s inner commentary. Beautiful, sad, life affirming, and a wonderful read. MS