The death of Henriette Binger (b. 1893) happened back in 1977. She was no writer but the mother of one, Roland Barthes, whose Mourning Diary has now emerged into print. Precise and touching memories intersect with spare and at times desperate notes on time, death and grief, written "despite the...

The death of Henriette Binger (b. 1893) happened back in 1977. She was no writer but the mother of one, Roland Barthes, whose Mourning Diary has now emerged into print. Precise and touching memories intersect with spare and at times desperate notes on time, death and grief, written "despite the fear of making literature out of it.--** Julian Barnes**