A young man comes of age in late 19th century Ireland. Growing up in a small village in rural Ireland, Matt's otherwise happy childhood is blighted only by the knowledge that his much-loved 'Uncle' Patsy and 'Aunt' Nora are not his real family. He is aware of being different from the other children, and when they call him a bastard he starts to ask some difficult questions. Then Nora dies, in a tragic accident, and Matt and Patsy are taken in by the Doyle family, who live in the Big House.Through his relationship with Garrett Doyle and, especially, the woman Matt learns to call 'Aunt Brid', Matt's world is opened up. He is an intelligent boy, receptive to new ideas, and as he observes the growing tensions between the Irish villagers and their English landlords, his political antennae are awakened. At university in Dublin he forms new and life-changing friendships, especially with Anglo-Irish Fred Langley and his exotic sister, Grace. But Matt still longs to know the truth about his parentage, and it is this search for identity - and for love - which will prove the driving force in his life.