For thirty years Ettie Burin led friends to believe she was a widow. The truth comes out when her husband dies in 1995, and her elder daughter plans a public funeral. Ettie and her family share memories during the mourning period, re-creating struggles to escape from physical oppression in czarist Russia and later from the stigma of mental illness. Personal revelations force Ettie and her children to come to grips with the past and break the silence surrounding the mental illness that has shaped their relationships with the outside world. Surprising events and courageous actions during the following year enable the family to experience the liberation of an unveiling. About the Author: Leah Rae Lambert has had an extensive career in education, social work, research and planning. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. She grew up in Pittsburgh, and has enjoyed living and working in Toronto for many years. |