Chapter 1 Summary

As the story opens, the reader is immediately drawn into the private thoughts and feelings of Reta Winter. She begins by revealing that she is experiencing a time of profound unhappiness and grief, though she does not immediately discuss the nature of her dilemma. Reta only discloses that her dramatic loss must be offset by counting her blessings, even as she notes with some loathing that this is a repellant exercise to her. Reta briefly introduces us to her husband, Tom, who is a family doctor. She describes him as faithful and decent looking. Then she mentions two of her three daughters, Christine, sixteen, and Natalie, fifteen, saying that they are intelligent, loving, and attractive young women.

Above all, though, Reta makes it clear that her writing career is the most important aspect of her life; she numbers and explains each literary work...