Summary

Part II is titled England. Chapter 9 opens in August, 1952. Joy is thrilled to be in England. She knows many of their friends – including those from church – do not understand how she could choose to leave her family. Joy does not understand how other women live without the opportunity to let the “inner light” shine. She believes other women do not feel the anxiety she feels. She knows she could have tried harder to keep the house clean, to keep Bill away from liquor, and to be complacent with her life. However, she feels it would have come at an enormous cost. She arrives at the home of her friend Phyl Williams. Phyl has been transformed from the wan, suicidal woman who had once stayed with Joy. Joy hopes she will be similarly transformed. For the next month, Joy has appointments with doctors and...