One Two Three

This story of three sisters in a downtrodden, seemingly hopeless city is surprisingly uplifting and enjoyable. In One Two Three, Frankel explores what happens to the lives and the spirits of individuals when their city and their health are ruined by big industry. Despite the serious subject matter, Frankel injects love, humor, and hope into her story.

Mab, Monday, and Mirabel are triplets. They call themselves One, Two, and Three. Mae is an average teenager, while Monday and Mirabel both live with disabilities that are a result of a poisoned water supply. Belsum Chemicals released a toxic chemical into the river of the city Bourne back before the girls were born, which resulted in many illnesses, death, lost limbs, and disabilities for the citizens of Bourne. The company left Bourne and never compensated the citizens for the damage it caused. Now, Belsum wants to reopen the plant, and the young people of Bourne are not having it. The sisters seek to stop the company from reopening and further damaging their city.

The story is told from the perspectives of Mab, Monday, and Mirabel. The chapters alternate from one sister to the next and are titled One, Two, or Three depending on which sister is narrating. I have to admit, this structure was confusing at first, making it hard to tell how far along in the book you are. However, after you adjust to it, it flows well. Each sister has a distinct voice and view on matters. I particularly enjoy the perspective of Monday, who appears to suffer from some form of autism or Asperger's. Her blunt honesty is refreshing. Her observations of others brings some humor into the story at times.

The theme of big industry versus common citizens is developed throughout much of the novel. Belsum is the enemy of the people, but the people also need Belsum to bring jobs back to the city. It becomes a struggle between getting justice and just surviving. The young people of the town take up the fight for justice because the adults have to think about jobs and money. This “David and Goliath” theme is not unique, but it is presenting in a new way here.

Overall, I really liked this story. The characters are well-developed and interesting. They are likable, making the reader root for them. While the pacing is a bit slow at times, the plot line keeps the reader engaged and develops good themes.