Desiree was born to Ella, but the baby never came home, as the Swedish government of the day pushed for any physically and mentally delayed children to be institutionalized. However, Desiree was of superior intelligence and learned to speak, read, write. But as she aged her condition became worse, such that she could only communicate by blowing into a straw attached to her computer, which allowed her to post her words on a monitor. But, Desiree had a secret ability, which allowed her to enter the bodies and minds of other beings, often a bird, but sometimes a person. She could feel what others could feel, and also learned what others were doing and thinking. This allowed her to send three letters.
These letters were delivered to her three "foster sisters". Once Ella became a young widow, she took in three young girls in need of fostering. Sadly Brigitta resisted, longing for her inept mother. Marianne, the social worker who removed Brigitta from her mother is the same woman who later took Brigitta's undernourished, dirty, and unloved son. Desiree was uncared for by her mother, yet these other women enjoyed Ella's goodness. Margarita and Christina became successful but carried the scars of their childhoods.
Dr.Hubertsson, who lodged with Ella, became her doctor when she became paralyzed, as he was already Desiree's doctor. He alone knew the connections between the girls, but kept the secret. His mind was modern and his spirit kind. In her own way, Desiree loved him for his constancy. The author told the stories of the girls with skill and amazement. Life often is stranger than fiction. The supernatural element to the story was not over done, merely being a vehicle for Desiree to live a life which opened up opportunities for her that she otherwise would not have. The author sprinkled the novel with principles of physics, making the reader believe that anything in the universe is indeed possible.
