The Glass House: A novel of mental health

A compelling, addictive novel for readers of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine told with heart, humour and insight by Anne Buist and The Rosie Project‘s Graeme Simsion

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.

‘A masterfully told, character-driven novel that will have you laughing and crying in equal measures’ THE AUSTRALIAN

‘A deeply empathetic, humanising portrait of a mental health facility, and the souls that pass through it: both to provide help and receive it’ THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY

‘Highly engaging. Brings alive the frontline of mental health care’ PROFESSOR PATRICK MCGORRY AO, AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2010

‘Embraces a standout cast of characters – patients, clinicians and family members are so beautifully individuated and the story overflows with compassion, insight and humour. Entertaining, enlightening, it embraces the complexity of what it means to be human’ MEREDITH JAFFÉ

‘A remarkable exposé about mental illness and its treatment . . . told with an engaging, light touch reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Simsion’s The Rosie Project. The Glass House is a timely, innovative book’ BOOKS + PUBLISHING

‘Gripping, rich and insightful, and brimming with compassion. Shines a light on the grit and dedication of frontline workers, while giving a voice to everyone impacted by mental illness’ ARIANE BEESTON, author of Because I’m Not Myself, You See

‘A great read that combines laugh-out-loud moments with those that bring tears to your eyes. Anne Buist skilfully writes from her own experiences and co-author Graeme Simsion adds his inimitable Rosie Project style. An honest, sensitive look into mental health care in Australia’ PROFESSOR JAYASHRI KULKARNI AM, Psychiatrist, Monash University

‘A racy, pacy ride through heartbreak and the occasional breathtaking miracle’ COUNTRY STYLE

‘An absorbing read that you’ll want to stay up late to finish’ INSTYLE AUSTRALIA

‘It casts a non-judgemental but candid, informed and astute eye on the system, those who work in it and those who need its services. It arouses our sympathy and empathy, develops our understanding and increases our knowledge in areas long kept hidden or decreed taboo. And it’s a darn good read’ LIVING ARTS CANBERRA

‘Stunning . . . Expect sadness, despair and even a few laughs from this unique novel that’s so timely, given ever-emerging issues in our mental health system’ DAILY TELEGRAPH