American philosopher Skye Cleary's book isn't just a story about a prominent figure in French existentialism. It's an attempt to look at her own life through the lens of Simone de Beauvoir's philosophy. Skye Cleary shares how existentialist ideas helped her overcome difficulties and find a way out of many life impasses. A key concept in this philosophy is authenticity—something everyone should strive for. However, finding oneself is a difficult task, especially for women. Growing up, love, marriage, motherhood, aging—each of these experiences can be the beginning of self-realization or, conversely, a reason to abandon it. 'Authenticity gives us the freedom to remove the masks we wear to protect ourselves,' writes Skye Cleary. 'It gives us the opportunity to create the future we choose.'