Mimi Baird embarked on a profound journey into her family's past, seeking to illuminate the life of her father, whose struggles with mental illness had long remained a mystery. Her literary exploration delves into the complex interplay between medical brilliance and the depths of psychological turmoil. Baird meticulously reconstructs a portrait of a man she barely knew by weaving together personal recollections and medical histories. Her narrative offers an intimate examination of legacy, memory, and the enduring quest for understanding familial trauma.
The author pieces together the story of her absent father's life, beginning with his advancements in isolating the biochemical root of manic depression, just as he began to suffer from it himself, leading to years of institutionalization and confinement