What can a daughter do when the mother she loves is bent on destroying herself? With lyricism and honesty, memoirist Lydia Bird chronicles the unlikely course of her mother's alcoholism—and the power and limitations of their bond. Through stories spanning four decades and three continents, Bird embarks on an unsparing quest to understand her past and find forgiveness. In the process, she paints an unforgettable portrait of addiction, betrayal, and the unexpected joy that can prevail on the far side of loss.