Atthecenterofthisnovelisthestoryofadaughterlookingafterhermother,who’sbeenadmittedtoanursinghomeafterastrokelandedherinthehospital.Allhermotherwantsispainmedicineandtogohome.Thisdelicatesituationservesasajumping-offpointforRudantowanderfreelythroughmemoriesofherparents,herhusband,friends,andadaughterofherown.Outoftheseelements,Rudanweavestogetheranunsentimental,unflinchingstoryaboutthedifficultlovethatexistsbetweenparentsandchildren,theinabilityofpeopleevertosaytherightthing,thegrotesque--yetuniversal--processofgrowingold,andtheperversemysteriesofloveanddeath.
