“Sunrise, Sunset” is divided into seven sections, which are told alternately from the perspective of Carole, a Haitian American immigrant with dementia, and her daughter Jeanne, who has post-partum depression. The story takes place on the day that Jeanne’s son Jude is christened and begins and ends with Carole’s perspective. Carole is critical of her daughter’s body after giving birth, and of her tendency to hide in her bedroom all day, which Carole sees as weakness. She thinks that Jeanne, who was born in America, has been so protected from suffering that she’s incapable of overcoming adversity. Carole is aware of her dementia symptoms but determined to keep them a secret. She has a doll that looks like Jude that she uses to practice caring for her grandson.

Jeanne is frustrated by her parents’ refusal to see a doctor about Carole’s memory loss and is increasingly afraid of leaving her mother and baby alone together. Jude’s birth was traumatic: after 26 hours of labor, he was delivered via emergency C-section with his umbilical cord around his neck. Since giving birth, she feels disconnected from herself and her son, and feels like there is no joy in motherhood, despite her husband James’s support.