A remarkable depiction of the bond between a mother and daughter as adults as well as the resilience and fortitude of both ladies. In "I Stay in Darkness," Annie describes her attempts to help her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, first get well and then, when that fails, to see the older woman's slow fall and her own sorrow as a daughter losing a cherished parent. Ernaux has reached a new peak with "I Stay in Darkness," which roars with unbridled emotional strength and showcases her exquisite command of language to comprehend the melody of her own life.