Chapter 19

Alice arrives for another meeting with Margaret. She says today is the day Margaret tells “her story,” though Margaret reminds Alice that it all fits into one larger <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Literary Device" href="https://www.supersummary.com/narrative/">narrative</a>.

Chapter 19 Summary

Interlude 4

Margaret says people always ask what it was like to grow up like royalty. Her childhood was sometimes magical, full of extraordinary things like the circus performing at her birthday party and her parents bringing snow to their yard for Christmas. Though their home was lavish and she could have whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, however, what Margaret loved was her family surrounding her. She had exotic pets and custom-made clothes, but her favorite memories were of when her parents spent time with her and Laura. After her mom returned to work, nannies cared for Margaret and Laura, and the family rarely shared meals. Margaret noticed her parents’ strained relationship and felt scared and lonely.

Interlude 4 Summary: “The Story”

Chapter 20

Margaret says her parents got divorced because Doris was “The kind of woman who wanted to have it all” (213). The divorce was hard on everyone, and her mom and dad weren’t in contact for a while. Frederick attended one of Doris’s movies and sent her flowers afterward. That restarted their friendship, which continued until his death.

Chapter 20 Summary

Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Summary

Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Summary

Interlude 5

Interlude 5 Summary: “The Story”

Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Summary

Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Summary

Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Summary

Interlude 6

Interlude 6 Summary: “The Story”

Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Summary

Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Summary

Interlude 7

Interlude 7 Summary: “The Story”

Chapter 19-Interlude 7

Chapter 19-Interlude 7 Analysis

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Get ready to explore Great Big Beautiful Life and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

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Chapters 1-10

Great Big Beautiful Life Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

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Chapters 11-18

Great Big Beautiful Life Chapters 11-18 Summary & Analysis

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Great Big Beautiful Life Chapter 19-Interlude 7 Summary & Analysis

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Chapter 28-Interlude 11

Great Big Beautiful Life Chapter 28-Interlude 11 Summary & Analysis

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