The author of this book achieved international recognition with the publication of her Journals, begun in 1931 and spanning over 40 years. This book is a record of the years from 1923 to 1927 and covers the early part of her marriage to Hugh Guiler, beginning with their eventful stay in New York. Before long they moved to Paris, a place that was to have a profound effect upon her. For Nin it was a struggle towards maturity and self-knowledge, gradually overcoming what she saw as her puritan instincts. French culture was both shocking and stimulating to her and at home with her husband she enjoyed the domesticity.