George Bender's grandson lies in a coma as a result of a failed suicide attempt. When it is suggested to George that he reads to him as a means of bringing him out of his coma, George decides to relate his life story. This begins in Auckland in the early 1900s. The family is put into penury after George's father is killed in an industrial accident. To make ends meet, George, then an adolescent, is lured into gambling. However, when he is caught embezzling money from his employer to pay his gambling debts he ends up in prison. While serving his sentence, conscription is brought in to supply more men for the war. Daniel is called-up and sent to the Western Front. Soon after George's release, the Armistice is signed. Another year goes by before Daniel returns home. George goes to meet him, only the man he meets is far different from the brother he once knew. Daniel is one of the thousands of shell-shock victims. As George recalls these events, he is forced to confront his guilt at remaining home while Daniel went to the war and for his involvement with Daniel's subsequent death.