About the Book:

Psychiatry registrar Doctor Hannah Wright, a country girl with a chaotic history, thought she had seen it all in the emergency room. But that was nothing compared to the psychiatric ward at Menzies Hospital.

Hannah must learn on the job in a strained medical system, as she and her fellow trainees deal with the common and the bizarre, the hilarious and the tragic, the treatable and the confronting. Every day brings new patients: Chloe, who has a life-threatening eating disorder; Sian, suffering postpartum psychosis and fighting to keep her baby; and Xavier, the MP whose suicide attempt has an explosive story behind it. All the while, Hannah is trying to figure out herself.

With intelligence, frankness and humour, eminent psychiatrist Anne Buist tells it like it is, while co-writer Graeme Simsion brings the light touch that made The Rosie Project an international bestseller and a respected contribution to the autism conversation.

Published by Hachette Australia

Released 27 March 2024

My Thoughts:

“The Glass House was inspired by the courage of patients and the dedication of mental health workers who deal with issues which are often poorly understood, inadequately resourced, and for which there are few complete solutions. We hope this book will contribute to a better recognition of the challenges they face.”

– Author Note

If the above was the intent of this novel, then the authors got it right. The Glass House is not for the feint hearted, but for those who reach for it, you will not be sorry. It’s primarily about the mental health crisis in Australia but focuses on the psychiatrists and psychologists who are literally on the frontlines in our hospitals assessing and treating, attempting to help, surviving themselves in a field that is overrun by patients and under resourced universally.

As someone who has navigated the mental health system with a family member, as well as having a daughter who is studying towards a career in psychology, I found this novel fascinating, thought provoking, and deeply affecting. Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion have written a truly excellent novel that many will find both compelling and deeply contemplative. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.