Set in provincial, pre-1940s new zealand, explores the withers family, in particular Daphne withers. When one Of Daphne's sisters dies, a crisis is provoked that leads Daphne to a mental asylum where she receives shock t...Set in provincial, pre-1940s new zealand, explores the withers family, in particular Daphne withers. When one Of Daphne's sisters dies, a crisis is provoked that leads Daphne to a mental asylum where she receives shock treatment. Her voice from "The dead room" Haunts the novel with its poetic insights.