"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." When Janet Frame's doctor suggested that she write about her traumatic experiences in mental institutions in order to free herself from them, the result was Faces in the Water, a powerful and poignant novel. Istina Mavet descends through increasingly desolate wards, with the threat of leucotomy ever present. As she observes her fellow patients, long dismissed by hospital staff, with humour and compassion, she reveals her original and questing mind.
Janet Frame
Janet Frame was a prominent New Zealand author known for her vivid and introspective storytelling. Her most notable works include "Owls Do Cry," "Faces in the Water," and her acclaimed three-volume autobiography. Frame's writing style is characterized by its poetic language, rich imagery, and exploration of complex themes such as mental illness, identity, and the human experience. She is credited with making significant contributions to New Zealand literature and is considered one of the country's most important literary figures. Frame's most famous work is her autobiography, "An Angel at My Table," which was adapted into a successful film. Her impact on the literary genre is enduring, as her works continue to resonate with readers worldwide.