The characters in this story lived in a world where it was possible to transfer pain from one person to another. While Penny and Noah couldn't fix the underlying health problems that caused their adult daughter so much suffering, they were able to take turns feeling it for her in order to give her some relief.

Jo Walton (born December 1, 1964) is a Welsh-Canadian fantasy and science fiction writer and poet. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2002 and the World Fantasy award for her novel Tooth and Claw in 2004. Her novel Ha'penny was a co-winner of the 2008 Prometheus Award. Her novel Lifelode won the 2010 Mythopoeic Award. Her novel Among Others won the 2011 Nebula Award for Best Novel[2] and the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Novel;[3]Among Others is one of only seven novels to have been nominated for the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, and World Fantasy Award.