Why the Plum for Courage is a personal memoir that begins in Providence, Rhode Island in the early l950's and ends in present day New York City. Ms. Sinclair's incredible true story is powerfully presented with a unique talent for writing reminscent of Frank McCourt's Angelas Ashes and Susanna Kaysen's Girl Interrupted who shared their observations of how vision, humour and wit got them through some of life's most difficult situations. Read the first chapter and you will be drawn into an amazing story of triumph and tragedy that keeps the reader intensely focused, wanting to know what's going to happen next. It begins with a quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's North to the Orient..."Why the plum for courage?" I asked picturing courage a great oak. "Yes, yes," answered my Japanese friend. "The plum for courage, because the plum puts forth blossoms while the snow is still on the ground."