ENDORSEMENTS

ENDORSEMENTS OF ADMISSIONS

“I loved Admissions. It is a moving, tightly focused collection of linked short stories which, because of the clever orchestration of characters and themes, can almost be read as a novel. Each story gives us a very particular perspective and we see people at their most vulnerable and brave. The southern Aotearoa setting is evoked through deftly chosen details. These eight women’s stories are engaging and honest and will resonate not just with New Zealanders, but with people who, like me, live on the other side of the world. We are given windows into the lives of not just doctors and nurses, but some of the so often overlooked people who keep a hospital afloat in difficult times. Admissions reminds us of the dramas, losses, triumphs and romances that are quietly playing out every day in wards and consultation rooms all over the world.”

Rebecca Smith Novelist and author of The Jane Austen Writers’ Club (Bloomsbury, 2016) and Principal Teaching Fellow in English and Creative Writing at the University of Southampton, UK.

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“Just popping by to say how much I enjoyed reading your book over the weekend. I loved the stories, the dialogue, and especially the way each voice rang so true. Immense congratulations on a marvelous book.”

Ruth Arnison Recipient of the Queen's Service Medal for services to poetry and literature, founder of Poems in the Waiting Room, New Zealand

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“If you've ever been a night nurse, these tales will drag up sounds and odors from your past that you thought had gone forever! Mira Harrison's painting of her characters at times left me with tears on my cheeks. These narratives cast my mind back a half century to my own nursing days as a young man in the local psychiatric hospital.”

Reg Bennett, retired psychiatric nurse, Karitane, New Zealand

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“I was privileged to speak at the launch of Admissions at Dunedin Public Hospital in December 2018.  At that time, I had read a pre-publication draft of the stories and said to the audience:

“Mira brings to this work her astute observational skills and knowledge of our shared and universal experiences, as women and as health professionals.  She bears witness to our common humanity, and the particular roles of women within that.  I am sure that each and every one of you will find this a warming, challenging and ultimately satisfying read”. 

Later, having re-read the stories, in their wonderful printed form, I realised that, just like my need as a doctor to recognise the humanity behind every statistic, what Admissions does so well is to remind us that the role each individual plays in a hospital system is only one part of that person's life.  Even the colleague no one likes (the Theatre Sister in Admissions) has their own unique story, if we can only find a way for it to be told and heard.  Mira has found that way: she has narrated these stories beautifully, with professional insight, understanding and compassion.  Through her engaging characters, she shows us that excellent clinical skills cannot provide a guide to the diagnosis of love; that professional caring skills are hard to transfer to messes within our own families; that efficiency without loving care is a clashing gong or clanging cymbal.

There is an endearing timelessness to this volume which includes ward sisters and laptops, stained tiles and CT scanners, three-piece suits and trainers. A highly recommended read, not only for those of us who have spent years working in healthcare settings, but anyone who wants to see how life – and death – play out in hospitals all over the world.”

Dr. Mavis Duncanson Director: New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service; Co-director: New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit; Senior Lecturer in Women's & Children's Health, University of Otago, NZ.

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“After reading seven of the eight stories/chapters in this book, I was so impressed by Mira’s talent, I sent her MS to my literary agent with the following note:

“I feel super-relieved sending these to you because, for the first time ever when sending you stuff, I can unreservedly say that I think Mira’s work is absolutely fantastic. I honestly think it’s the real deal. Considering she’s just started writing fiction, it’s astonishing she can produce such wonderful stories.

Mira’s tales focus on characters in a hospital in New Zealand (though I’m not sure the location really matters) and I send these to you so that you can read and enjoy. As a punter, as it were.  Her writing is so smooth, assured, professional.  Really. I think you’ll love them as much as I do. They’re kind of feel-good, but not. Because in each one there’s a darkness that I’m not sure Mira is aware of, but it’s what gives them the edge and what makes them really superb for me.  

I also find her narrative voicing utterly convincing and gripping – it’s calm and seductive and deceptive, because things pop out to disturb when you least expect it from so ordinary a voicing and tale.   She writes well about sex too – and that’s not easy.  These are definitely literary, of course, but they’re so democratic, that I think they will have wide appeal.”

I am not surprised that Admissions was snapped up for publication in New Zealand by Steele Roberts Aotearoa.  This book now deserves a much wider audience, especially in the UK, where readers will definitely relate to Mira’s experience in NHS hospitals – these stories are universal, they are beautifully written and we all want to read them.”  

 John Connor, author of eight novels (including Phoenix, The Playroom, Unsafe and The Opposite of Mercy) published by Orion/Hachette and translated into ten languages.

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“Having been privileged to read some of the early chapters of Admissions and enjoyed them hugely, I was intrigued as to how this group of short stories would fuse to form a whole. In fact, Admissions is a terrific read, with some surprising, often frank and funny but always touching, insights into the stresses and strains and, ultimately, the humanity of the lives of these women.  Separately and collectively they support the fabric of this, but, in fact, any hospital, and it will certainly have an authentic familiarity for readers in U.K.  Dr Mira Harrison’s writing is strong, instantly readable, full of character and with a most engaging style. Admissions really does have a universality and, although it started life in the distant world of Aotearoa New Zealand, it will undoubtedly appeal to and be thoroughly enjoyed by the wide readership it deserves.”

 Dr George Smerdon retired general practitioner, St Ives, UK

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“Just finished Admissions. Compelling and wonderful writing, thank you.  I shall be passing it on to my 2 book groups.” 

Miriam Vollweiler, reader, Dunedin, New Zealand

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“I have just finished the third story in your book, "The Cleaner's Tale - Rachel".   I have to say I have become completely absorbed in the characters’ lives of all of the stories I have read so far, as the level of detail you've put in really brings them to life to the extent that I want to continue reading even when I reach the end. The receptionist's tale was lovely and reinforced that different cultures can transcend their differences if they only take the time to find out about each other....I kept wanting to find out what happens next.  Your second story is also very moving and brings to life the reality of what women go through although often not openly discussed.  You're a really good writer and my only wish is that you continue to write longer stories as I have got attached to each of the characters in the ones I have read so far.”  

 Saadia Sharief, reader, London UK

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“Superb writing and gripping subjects. Your whole idea is original, which is super - as we said in the '50s!”

Margaret Bell-Thompson, author, Dunedin, NZ

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“I just finished your book, and it filled me with such tenderness and warmth, or I should say "love" to be precise. Thank you for sharing your heart in writing..after reading your book, it gave me some hope that life goes on and we somehow find goodness in it.”

Mami Yamagotchi, author, Dunedin, NZ

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“I’ve been meaning to email since your book launch to tell you how much I enjoyed the evening and how VERY much I enjoyed reading your book. It was fabulous and I felt like I really knew the characters. I couldn’t decide which story I liked the best but I didn’t want the book to end. You have a great talent – is there a Volume 2 on the cards??”

Gaye Ellis, reader, Dunedin, NZ

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“I just received your collection of stories, ADMISSIONS. Thanks very much for sending it, all the way from New Zealand. Of course, I am delighted to know that THE REFUGEES and THE DISPLACED found you and could have meaning for you. Congratulations on the book. I can already see hints of Chaucer in the table of contents with all the “tales,” and the first few lines are seductive.” 

Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize winning novelist and Professor of English, Comparative Literature, and American Studies & Ethnicity, University of Southern California

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Your special strength is the skillful way you are able to integrate personal stories, and wider social and cultural concerns with authentic medical detail (which is never there for its own sake). 

Paul Sorrell, writer, editor, photographer, Dunedin, New Zealand 

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In September 2023, UK journalist Rashmee Roshan Lall included Admissions in her weekly blog, “This Week Those Books”, describing it as an ‘emotionally affecting book: https://thisweekthosebooks.substack.com/p/unga-2023-development-goals-inequality-books