When her father abandons the family, Milly struggles to reconcile her mother's emotional collapse with her own burgeoning anger. Seeking refuge with her grandmother, Milly discovers that her elder companion is facing a profound personal crisis as her memory begins to fail. The narrative alternates between the modern day and the 1930s, following the pair as they attempt to reconstruct the grandmother's lost past. This dual-timeline structure serves to bridge the generational gap while exploring the fragility of identity and the endurance of familial bonds.

Readers frequently highlight the emotional resonance found in the bond between Milly and her grandmother. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the dual-timeline structure in grounding the historical elements within the modern-day conflict. Critics note that the pacing remains steady, allowing for significant character development rather than relying solely on external plot events. Many readers appreciate the balanced portrayal of memory loss, which adds a layer of urgency to the protagonists' search for the past. The book is often cited for its grounded approach to complex family dynamics and the realistic depiction of grief.