Lawrence Hill, author of ‘ The Book of Negroes’ , describes this novel as an ‘outstanding, literary achievement.’  This novel was inspired by the life of Dr. Maude Abbott, a woman who was one of Montreal’s first female doctors.  The protagonist in the novel, Agnes White, is fascinated with biology and is seen as different because this interest is seen as unladylike.  Agnes, even with opposition from people around her and the general obstacles from a male dominated society pursued her ambitions to become a doctor at Mc Gill University.