Breaking Night is a memoir of the life of Elizabeth Murray.
Growing up in Bronx, New York City during the 1980's, Liz loves her parents, to whom she refers throughout the memoir to as "Daddy" and "Ma". Both of Liz's parents were drug addicts before she was born, but she still loved them very much. Her father, imprisoned for selling drugs, left her mother to tend for Liz as a baby.
Lisa is Liz's sister, who is supportive of her while growing up. Daddy is released from confinement when Liz is three, but still continues to use drugs, paying for them with the family's only source of income - welfare. Throughout her childhood, the use of drugs is normalized for Liz, scarring her for life.
Having a hard time in school because of her parents' actions, Liz often skips class, and her parents do not care. Nevertheless, she passes through school without much trouble, and often tries to teach herself things when there is less noise at home.
As a young girl, Liz is confronted by Ron, a man that Ma is seeing that provides the family with money and drugs. Ron molests Liz, and she can do nothing to stop him. Eventually, Ma finds out what is going on, and breaks down in front of her daughters. For years to come, Ma continues to have mental issues - both because she uses drugs and because she knows that she has provided a horrible life for her children.
As Liz gets older, she tries to isolate herself from drugs, and gets a job. However, Ma steals her money and spends it on drugs anyway. Ma is now pursuing a relationship with Brick, a security guard that is often drunk.
Liz befriends a girl named Sam from school, and Ma dies from AIDS. Liz continues to pass through school, but often skips class so that she can explore the city. She eventually graduates high school, and is accepted to Harvard University. Liz, today, is a teacher for autistic children and she often retells this true story.
