A journey through madness as an escape from the constrictions of society In this first part of a three-part autobiography, Janet Frame recounts her early years growing up on the South Island of New Zealand. One of five, Frame's childhood was haunted by tragedy with a brother who suffered from epilepsy and two sisters who were drowned in separate incidents. These events had huge consequences on her life and led to years of psychiatric care. It was only through writing about these years that enabled her to leave the hospital and reestablish her life.