'Janet Frame's luminous words are the more precious because they were snatched from the jaws of the disaster of her early life . . . and yet to read her is no more difficult than breathing' Hilary Mantel

'Janet Frame is the greatest New Zealand writer. She is utterly herself. Any one of her books could be published today and it would be ground-breaking' Eleanor Catton

One of the most impressive accounts of madness to be found in literature . . . A masterpieceLyrical, touching and deeply entertainingWhat an extraordinary woman she is, overcoming such obstacles, and making fresh and good use of them in her workJanet Frame's luminous words are the more precious because they were snatched from the jaws of the disaster of her early life . . . and yet to read her is no more difficult than breathingJanet Frame is the greatest New Zealand writer. She is utterly herself. Any one of her books could be published today and it would be ground-breaking

'I was now an established citizen with little hope of returning across the frontier; I was in the crazy world, separated now by more than locked doors and barred windows from the people who called themselves sane.'

Istina Mavet descends through increasingly desolate wards to Lawn Lodge, where patients are considered beyond hope, and a leucotomy is the only method of rehabilitation. As she observes her fellow patients, long disregarded by hospital staff, with humour and compassion, she reveals an original and questioning mind.