The family of Frank Meyer Gold has moved from Hungary to Australia. The main reason for moving is due to the Second World War. On their arrival, Frank is diagnosed with polio. As a result, he is admitted to a hospital known as The Golden Age. The Golden Age has been picked by the government to take care of polio-infected children. Initially, it was a hotel. Frank meets Elsa at the hospital. Both of them fall in love with one another. Elsa tends to a baby called Rayma, who is crying for her mother. Frank’s parents, Meyer and Ida, are experiencing difficulties when familiarizing themselves with Australians.
Before moving to The Golden Age, Frank was admitted to the IDB, where he met Sullivan, a poet. Frank and Sullivan were friends before Sullivan died. Most of the time, Frank remembers Sullivan and liken his situation to what he witnessed in Hungary. At The Golden Age hospital, there is a senior nurse called Sister Olive Penny. Sister Olive Penny is a widow who is loving and caring. She treats her patients well. Frank is a naughty boy who gets bored during classes. As a result, he spends most of his time antagonizing his teacher and admiring Elsa. The parents of both Frank and Elsa are used to paying them a visit at the hospital.
