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One In Three
One in Three is the coming-of-age story of James Hartman, a young doctor struggling with the demands of endless hours on call in NHS hospitals. Set in 1989against the backdrop of the unfolding AIDS epidemic, James is continually confronted by tragedy, pain, and death…
During his early weeks, James realises he inadvertently caused a patient’s death and attempts to conceal his mistake. Exhausted and unable to cope, he seeks solace in Southampton’s redlight district.
As his first-year passes, there are brief moments of triumph, but James’ impulsive decisions pave the way for future complications. Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges when he meets Ainslie, a trainee surgeon from New Zealand. James becomes besotted with her, falling madly in love. However, shadows from his past resurface, threatening his newfound happiness and future.
During his early weeks, James realises he inadvertently caused a patient’s death and attempts to conceal his mistake. Exhausted and unable to cope, he seeks solace in Southampton’s redlight district.
As his first-year passes, there are brief moments of triumph, but James’ impulsive decisions pave the way for future complications. Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges when he meets Ainslie, a trainee surgeon from New Zealand. James becomes besotted with her, falling madly in love. However, shadows from his past resurface, threatening his newfound happiness and future.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2024
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 25, 2025
“One in Three” is Mira Harrison’s first published novel. I now need to convey how impressed I am, how much I enjoyed the journey the writer took me on and recommend other share that experience without spoiling the plot or the careful, skilful way Mira Harrison engages reader interest and investment in what she has to tell us.
I read “One in Three” in two “sittings”. I thought this readiness to immerse myself in a work of fiction was a thing of my past and I was a “serious” reader more at home with non-fiction and more deliberate critical engagement with real ideas and events. However, this, a first novel, has proven a notable exception to that decade-old rule.
I am not a medical professional, but found the hospital setting, the drama of medical emergencies and the young house surgeons’ response to the superhuman demands and weighty responsibilities place on them ringing true. I was convinced and carried along by the way Mira Harrison presented the complications and contradictions of human emotions colliding with the professional focus and actions of the characters convincing and compelling, adding extra impact to the often unpredictable at times shocking medical procedures and incidents described. The depiction of a health system in decline as the weight of Thatcherism, austerity and neoliberal indifference to social equity or access adds its own aura of decay and desperation to the urban settings and the environment the characters cope with.
The core of the novel is the pairing of the skilfully paced narrative, which has complications enough but never loses focus or momentum and provides the complications to trace the compelling, sympathetic development of three key characters and their interwoven fates. Incidents and events reveal the complexities of the characters in ways that bring them to life and ensure a reader invests in their stories. This is also due to Mira Harrison’s readiness to explore the personal and moral complexities of personal and professional relationships to test and provoke the characters. This is never simple or superficial and ensures reader interest and unease I sustained as the story works to its resolution.
There is a directness and deliberation in this approach that relies heavily on being able to manage and convincingly convey complex characters and situations in ways that carry the reader with the story. It is an impressive achievement in, to say again, a first novel. I see, however, that Mira Harrison has previously published two well-reviewed collections of short stories. I suspect it is here that her ability to control her narrative has developed and I intend to check that out.
I read “One in Three” in two “sittings”. I thought this readiness to immerse myself in a work of fiction was a thing of my past and I was a “serious” reader more at home with non-fiction and more deliberate critical engagement with real ideas and events. However, this, a first novel, has proven a notable exception to that decade-old rule.
I am not a medical professional, but found the hospital setting, the drama of medical emergencies and the young house surgeons’ response to the superhuman demands and weighty responsibilities place on them ringing true. I was convinced and carried along by the way Mira Harrison presented the complications and contradictions of human emotions colliding with the professional focus and actions of the characters convincing and compelling, adding extra impact to the often unpredictable at times shocking medical procedures and incidents described. The depiction of a health system in decline as the weight of Thatcherism, austerity and neoliberal indifference to social equity or access adds its own aura of decay and desperation to the urban settings and the environment the characters cope with.
The core of the novel is the pairing of the skilfully paced narrative, which has complications enough but never loses focus or momentum and provides the complications to trace the compelling, sympathetic development of three key characters and their interwoven fates. Incidents and events reveal the complexities of the characters in ways that bring them to life and ensure a reader invests in their stories. This is also due to Mira Harrison’s readiness to explore the personal and moral complexities of personal and professional relationships to test and provoke the characters. This is never simple or superficial and ensures reader interest and unease I sustained as the story works to its resolution.
There is a directness and deliberation in this approach that relies heavily on being able to manage and convincingly convey complex characters and situations in ways that carry the reader with the story. It is an impressive achievement in, to say again, a first novel. I see, however, that Mira Harrison has previously published two well-reviewed collections of short stories. I suspect it is here that her ability to control her narrative has developed and I intend to check that out.
March 24, 2025
I loved this book. It was an easy and engaging read, and the settings were vividly portrayed. I enjoyed the book not only due to my knowledge of hospitals and doctors from a past life and interest in the setting, but also because the characters were authentic and likeable. The narrative kept up a good pace with plenty of action and tension. James and Ainslie are interesting characters, and I was able to identify with the many situations they experienced.
The book portrays the very real challenges faced by junior house surgeons, and their struggles. Set in the Thatcher years when the NHS was severly eroded, it would have added depth if the author had included more of a political theme, maybe through one of the characters speaking out against the unjust working conditions. The poor conditions were alluded to and James dealt with it by visiting a prostitute but I felt that this weakened his character somewhat, although it was probably feasible. The long hours and exhausting schedules possibly still remain in many hospitals.
Highly recommend you try this book.
The book portrays the very real challenges faced by junior house surgeons, and their struggles. Set in the Thatcher years when the NHS was severly eroded, it would have added depth if the author had included more of a political theme, maybe through one of the characters speaking out against the unjust working conditions. The poor conditions were alluded to and James dealt with it by visiting a prostitute but I felt that this weakened his character somewhat, although it was probably feasible. The long hours and exhausting schedules possibly still remain in many hospitals.
Highly recommend you try this book.
July 29, 2025
Excellent story telling and I can relate to the hospital setting. The images of the main character’s (narrator’s) home life are vivid and well described.
The point that significant world events occur and are noted by others , illustrated that the long working hours leave little time/energy for anything but hospital life. I liked the classical music threaded through events, and Elton John!
The personal crisis that threatened to destroy the narrator’s world was the weakest part of the novel.
Enjoyable despite the weakness.
The point that significant world events occur and are noted by others , illustrated that the long working hours leave little time/energy for anything but hospital life. I liked the classical music threaded through events, and Elton John!
The personal crisis that threatened to destroy the narrator’s world was the weakest part of the novel.
Enjoyable despite the weakness.
December 6, 2024
Quite gripped by this one,a great page turner.
Added bonus as I lived in Watford Hertfordshire and so the reference were great.
I'm not a medic, but remember the Aids crisis and realised that the Junior Doctors had our lives in their hands.
Mira write frankly about the challanged faced by her characters, very believeable as she drew on her own experiences.
Added bonus as I lived in Watford Hertfordshire and so the reference were great.
I'm not a medic, but remember the Aids crisis and realised that the Junior Doctors had our lives in their hands.
Mira write frankly about the challanged faced by her characters, very believeable as she drew on her own experiences.
December 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed. I was a junior doctor at this time and this faithfully recalls these times. But beyond this I enjoyed caring for all the characters even the very much less likeable ones! All real, tangible, people you meet.
January 28, 2025
Really enjoyable read with a very realistic medical thread running through. The main protagonist was a very likeable character which automatically captivates the reader to find out his story, encountering some good plot twists on the way!
December 21, 2024
Great read!
Would be great for any medical students or junior doctors
Would be great for any medical students or junior doctors
January 9, 2025
Lots of familiar scenes as a Southampton medic....
March 9, 2025
A great read and so true to the world in which it is set.
There is something magical about an author who can transport you to a time and a place so effortlessly.
There is something magical about an author who can transport you to a time and a place so effortlessly.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews