Summary

The narration states that, years before Catherine met Antoine, Antoine’s brother died by suicide. Sometime after Catherine married Antoine, Antoine’s oldest son was killed at the age of 25 in a car accident. The narrative then gives a brief overview of Catherine’s mental health issues up to that time. She had multiple suicide attempts and multiple hospitalizations. The hospitalizations helped to stabilize her, but they were also frightening experiences at the time. Claude moved away from Catherine and Antoine, but Claude and Catherine eventually reconnected and sometimes maintained a sexual relationship. A few years into Catherine and Antoine’s marriage, their relationship ha become volatile, marked by frequent fierce arguments. One source of tension was the romantic rivalry between Antoine and Claude. Catherine eventually ended her relationship with Claude and became pregnant by Antoine. Catherine smoked tobacco and drank alcohol throughout the...