NEWYORKTIMESBESTSELLER-NATIONALBOOKAWARDWINNER-FromoneofAmerica’siconicwriters,astunningbookofelectrichonestyandpassionthatexploresanintenselypersonalyetuniversalexperience:aportraitofamarriage--andalife,ingoodtimesandbad--thatwillspeaktoanyonewhohaseverlovedahusbandorwifeorchild.SeveraldaysbeforeChristmas2003,JohnGregoryDunneandJoanDidionsawtheironlydaughter,Quintana,fallillwithwhatseemedatfirstflu,thenpneumonia,thencompletesepticshock.Shewasputintoaninducedcomaandplacedonlifesupport.Dayslater--thenightbeforeNewYear’sEve--theDunneswerejustsittingdowntodinneraftervisitingthehospitalwhenJohnGregoryDunnesufferedamassiveandfatalcoronary.Inasecond,thisclose,symbioticpartnershipoffortyyearswasover.Fourweekslater,theirdaughterpulledthrough.Twomonthsafterthat,arrivingatLAX,shecollapsedandunderwentsixhoursofbrainsurgeryatUCLAMedicalCentertorelieveamassivehematoma.ThispowerfulbookisDidion’sattempttomakesenseofthe“weeksandthenmonthsthatcutlooseanyfixedideaIeverhadaboutdeath,aboutillness...aboutmarriageandchildrenandmemory...abouttheshallownessofsanity,aboutlifeitself.
