The Glass House, by Anne Buist & Graeme Simsion

Aspiring to be a psychiatrist, registrar Hannah Wright works in the acute mental health ward of a major Melbourne hospital. To achieve her goal she must deal with hospital politics, an overburdened health system and her own self-doubt. Each chapter starts with a different mental health crisis, set within a framework of treatment by Hannah and her colleagues. Post-natal psychosis, PTSD, anorexia, schizophrenia, depression – they happen to police officers, politicians, plumbers, refugees, anyone. The heavy subject matter asks important questions about diagnosis and treatment, but is handled with a lightness of touch that makes the book an easy read. It’s so compelling and engaging that it’s difficult to put down and wait to find out what happens to each of the patients and their families. Hannah’s personal and professional relationships are just as interesting as the medical stories. A product of a chaotic country childhood, she has a few issues of her own to address, which cause her to question her vocation. There is apparently the possibility of a sequel, which would be very welcome.