While Frederica falls almost by accident into a career in television in London, tumultuous events in her home county of Yorkshire threaten to change her life, and those of the people she loves. Through her wayward, lovingly-drawn characters and breath-taking twists of plot, Byatt illuminates the effervescence of the 1960s - both its excitements and its dangers - as no one has done before. Part 4/4, previous part Babel tower.