Claire is 40 years old and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She is struggling to become a woman in her own right. This is essential for her, essential for her sanity. For twenty-two years she has been married to a man much older than herself who, while loving her, has completely dominated her life. Claire has not objected. At 18 she needed the confidence and guidance this strong man brought into her life. She also needed the lifestyle he created, that of working in exotic places, and the development of an unconventional way of living, together with a very satisfying sexual relationship.But now that has ended. Alex, her husband, is approaching sixty. The large company he built up and represented abroad, has been acquired by a conglomerate. Alex is depressed, disappointed and angry, all of which contribute to the loss of his sexual appetite and the confidence and feeling of power this gave him. Without the sex, he feels he can no longer control Claire, and she becomes the target of his misery.To save her sanity, Claire begins to write a diary. Everything her head cannot hold, she spills out in words. This document is her life-line and written in a style which is completely honest and meant for her eyes alone. It may not be grammatical, but it is the way she feels. From it we see her life as it really is, not as she portrays it to others.The face she sees in her mirror is not the face she shows to the world.
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