Love, dreams and destitution
At the turn of the twentieth century, three members of one family face poverty, heartbreak and war in a changing world.
Kate, a lonely Irish immigrant, longs for a better life. Dreaming of becoming a writer and escaping domestic service, she falls for the charismatic William Duffield. But is he her route to happiness or the beginning of a different kind of struggle?
Her eldest son, Fred, is torn between loyalty to his family and a desperate need to prove himself. When war breaks out, he secretly enlists, setting in motion events that will change lives forever.
Too young to fight, Joe is left to endure the hardships of the home front. As bombs fall and shortages bite, an unexpected friendship gives him the strength to face an uncertain future.
Inspired by the author's own family history and told through the format of imagined diaries, letters and memoirs this powerful saga spans 1879-1920, revealing a story of love, resilience and the enduring bonds of family.