Nilsen, as before, reaches out to her father, who died when she was six. Through story-filled letters, she begins, little by little, to confide in him, telling him of her yearning and rebellion, her calling and her faith struggles, her doubts and hopes. In addition, she has added a preface and, at the end, an essay titled, "On Writing," in which she brings depth understanding and pratical tips together to help writers in any stage of their careers.
You will find yourself responding in laughter and sorrow as you journey with Mary from age 6 to 70, beyond the dead end of her childhood street and the dead ends of her life. You will see through Nilsen's eyes the wisdom of asking tough questions of God and wrestling with other's easy answers. As you struggle with her through problems of budding sexuality, parenting, marriage and vocation, you, too, can gain resilience and find meaning and joy in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Finally, Mary will inspire you to seek life beyond your own dead ends.