As noted in the Author Introduction, "Sum of a Life is the first novel within my Selfhood Trilogy, which was written and completed in 2007. As with the third installment titled Marlys, which was written in 2008, these novels are not meant to be read in any particular order. Rather, the themes connect as a sibling series."
"Childhood recollection at times behaves as a dream, “If birds could make nests, then human hands could make birds.” Read the novel and you will see what that means."