Structure

As Cusk herself notes in her introduction, the memoir is constructed around thematic elements rather than in a precise chronological order. Because of this, many sections repeat periods of time that have already been covered, focusing on different subjects or perspectives applied to the same events, or focusing on different events. This thematic approach allows for isolated examinations of subjects related to motherhood and childcare, such as breastfeeding in “Motherbaby” (93), motherhood versus fatherhood in “Hell’s Kitchen” (125), and the role of various types of literature in child development in “Extra Fox” (111).

Despite its thematic focus, the memoir moves in a rough chronological direction, giving the impression of a distinct “before” and “after.” For example, the first of 12 chapters, “Forty Weeks” (11), covers the entirety of Cusk’s pregnancy, while the rest of the memoir focuses on the early days of caring for her daughter after her birth. The...