Sligo born Kitty's promising rural life in the 1800s changes dramatically after her encounters with an older married man. Her subsequent life in industrial Wigan is filled with many twists and turns. The book reflects historical and political events as it moves into the twentieth century. These include the potato famine, the suffragette movement and the Great War. Of course, religion also plays an integral part of Kitty's story. The humour of the book stems from the language and diverse opinions of the characters from both countries.