Set in 1960 in a little New England town, this novel explores the era of electronic bugging, quiz shows, and flight to the suburbs. The Pearsons are the fifth generation of their family to live on the land settled by their ancestors, a land which has remained very much in a natural state as they found it.

One day, the Pearson boys discover a cache of television cameras, microphones, intercoms, and tape recorders—all surplus equipment from Uncle Harold's shop. With perhaps more tolerance than forethought, the boys' father allows them to rig the family home with these devices, resulting in an inconvenience that is out of proportion to the benefits. Private remarks are overheard by the wrong people, and loud noises are generated at unexpected times. One such loud noise gives the boys' little sister a bad earache, followed by unusual sensitivity to sound. But this is...