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The Soulful Power of Resilience

A soul-stirring novel about sisterhood, injustice, and the raw power of resilience in a poisoned town.

One Two Three representation of toxic dumping in the river
One Two Three book cover depicting the words with three different color leaves that represent each of the Mitchel sisters

Title

One Two Three

Author(s)

Laurie Frankel

Genre

Women’s Fiction

Some books entertain, and then some books change you. Laurie Frankel’s One Two Three is firmly in the latter category. Told through the alternating voices of the unforgettable Mitchell triplets—Mab (One), Monday (Two), and Mirabel (Three)—this novel offers more than just a compelling narrative. It’s a haunting, emotionally rich exploration of love, betrayal, environmental injustice, and the relentless strength of the human spirit.

Set in the small, contaminated town of Bourne, One Two Three takes on a David vs. Goliath story and layers it with humor, heartache, and razor-sharp insight. Years after a chemical plant poisoned the water and forever altered the lives of Bourne’s residents, the triplets take it upon themselves to uncover the truth and bring justice to their community. Each sister has a distinct voice—intelligent, quirky, and beautifully flawed. Together, they weave a story that will steal your heart and mold you into an unlikely activist.

What sets this novel apart is how expertly Frankel captures the complexity of sisterhood. The Mitchell girls couldn’t be more different, yet they are undeniably united—bound not only by blood, but by purpose. Mab wants to escape, Monday wants to remember, and Mirabel, the nonverbal genius in a wheelchair, wants to be heard. And it’s Mirabel who emerges as the novel’s emotional center. She is the true soldier of the story, a quiet force of nature whose determination never wavers. Her voice is both soulful and fierce, and her refusal to be silenced is what ultimately propels the story forward.

Frankel doesn’t shy away from devastation. This book deals with disability, grief, corporate negligence, and systemic failure. And yet, through it all, One Two Three pulses with hope. It’s a testament to resilience—the kind of resilience that grows out of loss, that persists in the face of injustice, and that passes from mother to daughter like a torch.

What makes this book such a tearjerker isn’t just the tragedy—it’s the fight. It’s the small town that refuses to be forgotten, the girls who refuse to back down, and the family that keeps showing up for each other, no matter what. You’ll laugh, you’ll rage, and by the final pages, you’ll cry like a baby—not because the story ends, but because it matters so much.

One Two Three is for the underdog, the downtrodden, and the vanquished. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like the world is rigged against them and still found the courage to stand up. Frankel’s writing is smart, soulful, and unwaveringly empathetic. This isn’t just a novel—it’s a call to arms wrapped in a love letter to sisterhood, survival, and justice.

If you’ve lost faith in humanity, pick up this book. You’ll find it again in the voices of three unforgettable girls who teach us that sometimes the most powerful revolution begins at home—with a whisper, a fight, and the refusal to let go.

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About the author(s).

Laurie Frankel is a critically acclaimed and bestselling author known for her emotionally resonant novels that tackle complex social issues with warmth, wit, and grace. A former college professor and tech writer, Frankel brings intellectual depth and human vulnerability to her storytelling. Her work often explores themes of family, identity, love, and justice, with a particular focus on underrepresented voices. Her novels This Is How It Always Is and One Two Three have earned widespread praise for their compassionate portrayals of gender identity and environmental activism, respectively. Frankel’s writing is celebrated for its emotional honesty, humor, and unforgettable characters. In addition to her fiction, she has contributed essays to The New York Times, The Guardian, and other major outlets. She lives in Seattle with her daughter and continues to write stories that inspire empathy and ignite change.

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