The diagnosis of cancer reminded Henning Mankell of an old nightmare: sinking into quicksand that relentlessly engulfs you. In contemplating important questions of life, he found a way to overcome the crisis. Where do we come from? Where are we going? What kind of society do I want to help shape? He describes his encounters with the cultural and historical beginnings of humanity, reflects on questions of the future, and shares what literature, art, and music can mean in desperate moments. Henning Mankell looks back on key scenes from his own life and describes the skills and strategies for leading a meaningful life.