Rosemary Kay Knihy

Rosemary Kay's unclassifiable work blends novel, biography, and autobiography into a first-person memoir of a premature baby's experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit. Saul, born at just 23 weeks and weighing only one pound, four ounces, is placed in an incubator rather than in his mother's arms. His world is filled with medical apparatus, where touch is limited to painful procedures every few hours. To make sense of his new reality, Saul invents a unique vocabulary, distinguishing between "This Living" and life in the womb, naming nurses as "Clean Flowers" or "Nasty." This renaming reflects his fresh perspective, despite his advanced language skills. After a near-fatal medical crisis, Saul articulates a sense of companionship on his journey, feeling accompanied not just by his parents but also by memories of loved ones. He expresses a desire to connect with them, guided by his Grandaddy, exploring themes of loss and belonging. This poignant narrative resonates deeply with anyone who has children or has experienced grief, intertwining adventure with courage. In the afterword, Kay shares her lingering grief but also her gratitude for the lessons Saul imparted about life and death, providing her with a profound spiritual awareness.