French writer Anne Pauly’s book Before I Forget, translated by Dina Leifer, explores the complex emotions of mourning an abusive alcoholic parent through a deeply personal narrative. The story follows Pauly’s protagonist, also named Anne, as she tends to her ailing father, managing his daily needs and the household. Growing up, Anne witnessed her father’s repeated acts of violence against her mother, and the book delves into difficult themes, such as the anger felt by those who don’t understand why victims of domestic abuse don’t simply leave. In the present, the once-dominant figure who once chased Anne’s mother around the kitchen table or locked his family out in drunken rages is now a frail, wheelchair-bound man. The narrative juxtaposes these two versions of her father, allowing readers to hear his recollections of Anne’s childhood—a time he describes as one of widespread misogyny. He refuses to acknowledge his own failings, even in hindsight, and downplays his alcoholism as not being that bad. Anne notes that her parents hurt each other deeply, but the reality is that of a violent alcoholic and his abused wife. This generosity toward her father may be Anne’s way of processing her grief, helping her continue caring for him while trying to find the humanity within someone she once feared. Pauly’s writing is both acerbically funny and unflinchingly honest, offering sharp observations about a range of characters, from a forgetful priest to a bumbling funeral director and overzealous activists. Translator Dina Leifer successfully captures the humor and emotional depth of the original text, handling numerous culturally specific references with care. The book is filled with mentions of French brands and locations, adding authenticity to the narrative. Leifer also conveys the complexity of Anne’s relationship with her father, as seen in her reflection: "I always ended up hugging, kissing and caring for that body whose madness and violence I’d feared for so long." When death arrives, it creates tension between Anne and her brother, Jean-François, who is upset by the cost of the coffin and uninterested in dealing with their father’s belongings. Anne feels a deep sense of failure, questioning if she could have done more for her father. She wrestles with the conflicting memories of her mother and her instinct to love her father. Despite the pain, Anne finds moments of humanity in her father’s life, such as a scoring system for batteries, and a surprising letter from his teenage love. Throughout, Anne’s raw honesty about her grief makes her a compelling and deeply human character, showcasing Pauly as a fresh and sardonic voice in French literature, with Leifer’s translation capturing the full emotional spectrum of the story.