In 1913, eighteen year old Vera Brittain tries to convince her stuffy, Conservative parents to allow her to attend Oxford, while war looms on the horizon.

Working hard at Oxford, Vera decides to contribute to the war effort by becoming a nurse, while Roland heads abroad to fight for his country.

As the war continues to rage, Vera receives devastating news from all sides, which forces her to reconsider her future.

After another loss, Vera retreats into nursing, but the demands of her parents, and yet more tragedy, begin to overwhelm her.

Vera returns to Oxford, where she strikes up a friendship with a fellow student, before beginning to concentrate on writing.