After her fortieth birthday, Harriet is struck by a life-threatening illness. An emergency hospital visit turns into an arduous, lengthy stay. Attempts at sleep only bring visions of soul-sucking gargoyles, demons manifesting Harriet's fear of death, her relationship with her late father, and her dream of having a family.

Six weeks after her fortieth birthday, Harriet is struck by a rare and life-threatening illness. An emergency hospital visit turns into an arduous, lengthy stay. Attempts at sleep only bring visions of soul-sucking gargoyles, the lurking demons manifesting Harriet''s fear of death, her relationship with her late father, and her dream of having a family. A stunning blend of memoir and insightful essays on literary and film culture, from Giovanni''s Room to Anthony Hopkins, Tess of the d''Urbervilles to Joaquin Phoenix''s ''Joker'', Harriet seamlessly interweaves personal experience with insightful cultural commentary that questions how we live, and thrive, with pain. Gargoyles explores the power of illness, grief, love, loss, and memory, asking us to celebrate what is in front of us and to not take our lives and health for granted. Sometimes, this means we have to learn to live with the gargoyles.