Born in an impoverished family in Ireland, Nuala O’Faolain had little to no chance of creating a more decent future for herself. In the memoir, she details moments in her past and present with brutal honesty. It includes much of her personal experiences, fights, and struggles that she faced all her life. She grew up in an orthodox and oppressive society while living with a dysfunctional family. Her struggles included fighting through alcoholism, isolation, and the failures of her relationships.
At the start of the book, she recounts her childhood which entailed her distant parents and inadequate opportunities. O’Faolain’s father was a renowned journalist who traveled throughout his career. On rare occasions, he would come home but barely had enough time for his wife and nine children. Her mother was always exhausted and drunk. Raising nine children was no easy task, especially in the low-class areas of Ireland. The author was the eldest of all the children. However, O’Faolain’s mother was an avid reader who wrote book reviews as a hobby.
According to the author, her mother’s love for literature and joining the convent school saved her life. She worked tirelessly and made her way to a college in Dublin. She had to study and teach to cover her school tuition. After she completed her studies in Dublin, the author joined Oxford University. During her course at the university, she began questioning the role of women in society in Ireland.
She became an outspoken feminist at the start of the 20th century. She replicates her thoughts of how difficult and complex it is for a woman to achieve something. O’Faolain details moments in her life when she struggled with her role in the world. She also confesses her desire for recognition and to experience a sense of belongingness. As she didn't get any emotional support from her parents, what she initially wanted was some affection and validation. A few years later, she became a journalist for the Irish Times. She was against the marginalization of women in the society.
The story revolves around the themes of being unsatisfied by society's expectations for a woman, her self-identity, and her romantic relationships. She recites her romantic escapades with various partners who never satisfied her expectations. O’Faolain wanted a relationship different from her parents. She wanted a partner who would marry her for love. She didn't want to be someone who would fulfill her duties of taking care of her husband and children. Although, most women of that time were limited to doing only the household chores, and being good wives and mothers. Although, neither did she ever marry nor did she have childen.
As the memoir concludes, O’Faolain is yet to find the ideal partner. She is also unsatisfied with the role of women in the world. She insists women are yet to gain equal opportunities to further their goals and careers.
