Etchings in an Hourglass is the sequel to Bronx Primitive and A Wider World. This third volume of Kate Simon's extraordinary memoirs centers around the main people in her later life. Her first husband's illness and death were followed by two bittersweet love affairs and then by the painful death of her daughter - her only child - whose long illness the author describes with her usual blend of empathy and self-restraint. Her younger sister, whom she had helped to raise, also died at this time.

Kate's relationship with her second husband grew bitter, and after an illness she entered a hospital, had an abortion, and went into analysis. In the years that followed Kate took up the travels for which she became famous in her books and articles. Here, however, she describes not scenery or architecture but people - especially men - who became friends or lovers and offered marriage or adventure. The book ends with a portrait of the author as she was at the end of her life - well centered, elderly, a bit tired, but still pushing, still entertained.