Tiny Uncertain Miracles (Michelle Johnston, Fourth Estate)

Marick is unsure of his place in the world; he knew he wasn’t quite suited to the church, but he’s apprehensive that a new part-time job as a hospital chaplain has the answers he’s searching for. What he finds there, however, is not what he expected. In the depths of the hospital, he meets a scientist experimenting on bacteria that, much to the surprise of both men, appears to produce gold. From the intimate to the all-encompassing, Tiny Uncertain Miracles authentically captures the hospital environment and the people found within—the franticness of the ICU, the quiet in the room as someone dies, even the labyrinth of the hospital itself. Doctor and author Michelle Johnston matches the sprawling nature of a hospital with a narrative just as intricate and tangled. Although the book is plot-driven, a significant proportion of the novel is spent analysing Marick’s evolving relationship with faith and God. So much so that when the story deviates from this main thread or other characters are introduced, it feels somewhat disconnected. It’s clear that the additional storylines are introduced to emphasise the interconnectedness of everything and everyone; however, at times the multitude of subplots detract from the main narrative. The strength of this novel lies in Johnston’s connection to the medical world as an emergency physician. She manages to capture the brutal reality of life with a lyricism and gentleness that will touch many. Readers of Elizabeth Strout, Mitch Albom and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will find similarities and enjoyment in Tiny Uncertain Miracles.

Lisa Schuurman is an editor, writer and book reviewer.

Category: Reviews