In her book "Giving Up the Ghost," Hilary Mantel reflects on her childhood as an ongoing narrative that feels unfinished. She emphasizes the complexity of her early experiences, which are difficult to fully articulate. The challenge lies in the richness of her sensory impressions, which often elude precise expression through words.

Recordings of her past continue to affect her, as memories associated with sound, taste, and sight intertwine to create an indelible impression. Mantel's struggle to convey her childhood story highlights the limitations of language, revealing how deeply personal experiences can haunt and inform one's writing process.