Edinburgh, 1874. Blessed with a iced heart, Jack port is near inactive when his mother abandons him towards the care of Dr. Madeleine-witch doctor, midwife, protector of orphans-who will save Jack by putting a cuckoo clock in his upper body. It is in her orphanage that Jack port grows up, amid tear-filled flasks, eggs formulated with memories, and a guy using a musical spine. Dr. Madeleine warns Jack port that his heart is too delicate for strong emotions: he must never, ever fall in love. But of course, he will, on his tenth birthday, and with head-over-heels reject, for the bespectacled young street performer with a soul-stirring tone of voice. But it’s not only Jack’s center that’s in danger, it’s his very life. Now begins a wild journey of escape and pursuit, from Edinburgh to Paris to Andalusia, where Jack will finally learn the fantastic joys-and the higher costs-of running a fully formed center.