The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Mason, Megan. Sorrow and Bliss. Harper Collins Publishers, 2021.

Martha recalls explaining to someone at a wedding that like an old sofa, Patrick had always been there. For seven years, Martha and Patrick lived in a house in Oxford. Their last event together before his departure was her 40th birthday party during which she behaved ungratefully. Since she was ten, Martha’s parents have been living in the same dreary home where her mother would throw large parties and get very drunk. On Christmas Eve, the family would go to the posh home of Martha’s Aunt Winsome and Uncle Rowland. That is where she first met Patrick, a classmate of her cousin Oliver. Martha became ill shortly afterwards. Unable to attend her first months of college and on the brink of suicide, she visited a doctor with her father and received a prescription for antidepressants. She returned to college, lost her virginity, and graduated late, securing her first job in publishing. She met her first husband Jonathan at a party held by her boss, Peregrine, with whom she struck a friendship. She fell in love with Jonathan despite their obvious differences.

Ingrid, Martha’s younger sister, met Hamish by accident and married him three years later. Whereas they were alone for his proposal, Jonathan insisted that Martha’s family be present. The occasion was overshadowed by her mother’s drunken and false announcement that Martha was pregnant. That night, Martha found out from Oliver that Patrick had long held feelings for her. She married Jonathan anyway. On their honeymoon, he behaved so badly that Martha fell into depression. He had their marriage annulled and Martha returned to her parents’ house, spending time with her cousin Nicholas, a former drug addict. She grew fond of him and when he suggested they both get jobs, missed their long walks together. On one of his visits, Martha questioned Patrick about his feelings, which he denied. Peregrine insisted that she move to Paris to recover from her ordeal with Jonathan. She stayed there four years, strengthened by her friendship with Peregrine. His accidental death brought her Paris adventure to an end. At her sister’s wedding, Martha spent the evening with Patrick, talking into the night, and enjoying breakfast together.

Martha and Patrick continued spending time together. Ingrid called during one of their meetings to announce that she was pregnant. Martha and Patrick discussed the topic of children: she wanted none, he wanted some. He announced that he was leaving on a five-and-a-half-month mission to Uganda, but Martha would not say this upset her. When Patrick returned, they headed together to the annual Christmas party in Belgravia. Ingrid went into labor and Patrick helped deliver her baby. Later, Martha met Patrick at his flat where she confessed her love and he proposed. They visited Ingrid at the hospital and announced their engagement. They married shortly afterwards and honeymooned in St. Petersburg. Back in London, spending much time alone while Patrick worked long hours, Martha became unruly and had a severe attack. When he brought her home from the hospital, Patrick decided that they should settle in Oxford. Martha disliked her new home and could not find a steady occupation. Ingrid had another boy and relied on Winsome to help her. Martha stopped taking her medication. Ingrid announced to her that she was expecting a third child.

Martha admitted to Ingrid the frequency of her suicidal thoughts. Patrick and Martha celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy, but had to cut the trip short because Martha was physically ill. She had learned two weeks earlier that she was pregnant and only told Patrick back in Oxford. She planned to have an abortion, but miscarried shortly after their return. At a charity event, Martha met a woman whose husband happened to be a psychiatrist. She made an appointment with Robert. During the visit, he showed great empathy, diagnosed her illness, and prescribed medication. It all made sense now but Martha did not tell Patrick right away. She confronted her mother who admitted knowing all along and visited her father who was shocked that she had not yet told Patrick. While he was away on a business trip, Martha’s anger towards him grew. They quarreled after the 40th birthday party he had thrown her, she finally shared the new diagnosis, and left for London. Ingrid sent her a message that she was pregnant again.

Martha got a tattoo of the Hebrides as a symbol of her cyclical illness. She realized that she had been lying to herself and had always wanted a child. When she unleashed her rage on Patrick, he blurted out that she should not be a mother. She passed out only to watch him leave for good. As Ingrid refused to show sympathy, Martha turned towards her mother for help. Martha’s mother agreed to stop drinking and became her confidante. Martha reluctantly attended the usual Christmas party in Belgravia but Ingrid, Patrick, and her cousins were absent. Her mother urged her to make amends to the people she had hurt. She first asked Ingrid for forgiveness, which she easily granted. She then moved out of Oxford and returned to her parents’ house. Months later, Patrick texted Martha that he needed the furniture in storage. When Martha realized she had left her journal behind after their meeting, they had their first real constructive conversation. The entire family went to visit Ingrid at the hospital but Patrick and Martha returned to their separate homes, vowing to work on each other, together.