Aubry is the protagonist and primary point-of-view character. She is French and originally from Paris, where she lives with her parents and two sisters, Sylvie and Pauline, until she leaves her home at the age of nine in 1885. As a child, Aubry is spoiled, insolent, and stubborn. Her parents worry about her demanding behavior, and her sisters are angry with her selfishness following her refusal to throw her puzzle ball into the wishing well. This act kicks off the sickness that haunts Aubry for the rest of her life, which causes her to bleed and convulse with immense pain if she stays in the same location for longer than three or four days.

For decades, Aubry travels the world, first with her mother and then by herself. During this time, she meets many people, sees strange and wondrous things, and experiences both joy and trauma. Newspapers around the world write about her exploits and report where people have seen her, making her famous, though many people believe that her sickness is fake or a sign of “madness.” Over time, Aubry grows from a selfish and insolent girl into a woman who treats everyone she meets with kindness and gratitude, while also being resourceful, resilient, and capable of defending herself.