Lizzie Thorburn, a Yorkshire lass hungry for knowledge and independence, has set her heart on becoming a doctor. But living towards the end of the last century, she needs all the courage and determination of a pioneer to realise her ambitions.
Leaving her warm and noisy family behind, Lizze embarks on an adventurous new life. There is much to be learnt in the theaters and cafes of London in the company of quixotic young artist Tob Ashwolde as in the lecture hall.
But she keeps with her at all times her ambition, and when she is ready at last to put her hard-earned knowledge to the test, she finds that not all the skills she needs were taught at medical school. Delivering babies she knows something about, but exorcising evil spirits is another matter.
And the greatest challenge still lies ahead, as Lizzie wonders how she can combine her career with love and a family of her own . . .
