This story begins in the middle so it does take a minute for readers to find their bearings. We learn that Maria has been sent to an asylum (imprisoned) never to see her child again. She befriends her attendant, Jemima, who cares for Maria--nurturing her, convincing her to eat and go on living despite her current situation.
They become friends, Jemima tells Maria her life story which is absolutely horrific and sad. I think the author uses Jemima's tale to show Maria that while her situation is bad, it can always be worse. As the story goes on, we learn Maria's backstory, her husband's abhorrent behavior, how she got pregnant, and ultimately her escape from him. He eventually finds her and has her committed but that's where this ends--Mary Wollstonecraft didn't finish the story. Her husband published it after her death.
Even though the story is incomplete and less than 100 pages, it was challenging to read. I can't say that I was invested in the story the same way I get invested in modern storytelling, but I am glad I read it. There's something to be said about reading feminist gothic lit from the 1700s--it feels important/historical.