The Monster and the Mirror
Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell
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The Monster and the Mirror
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Narrated by:
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K.J. Aiello
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Written by:
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K.J. Aiello
About this listen
Revelatory memoir and cultural criticism that connects popular fantasy and our perceptions of mental illness to offer an empathetic path to compassionate care
Growing up, K.J. Aiello was fascinated by magical stories of dragons, wizards, and fantasy, where monsters were not what they seemed and anything was possible. These books and films were both a balm and an escape, a safe space where Aiello’s struggle with mental illness transformed from a burden into a strength that could win battles and vanquish villains.
A unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism, The Monster and the Mirror charts Aiello’s life as they try to understand their own mental illness using The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and other stories as both guides to heroism and agency and cautionary tales of how mental illness is easily stereotyped as bad and violent. Aiello questions who is allowed to be “mad” versus “sane,” “good” versus “evil,” and “weak” versus “strong,” and who is allowed to tell their own stories. The Monster and the Mirror explores our perceptions of mental illness in a way that is challenging and tender, empathetic and knowledgeable, and offers a path to deeper understanding and compassionate care.
©2024 K.J. Aiello (P)2024 ECW PressWhat the critics say
“The Monster and the Mirror asks us to identify the true villain among us: mental illness, or society’s unwillingness to accept it as reality for so many. A gutting, beautiful, and insightful book.”—AGA Wilmot, author of Withered and The Death Scene Artist
“Intricately researched, thoughtfully structured, generously and fearlessly told, this book is one I will cherish for a very long time.”—David A. Robertson, author of Black Water
“The Monster and the Mirror took my breath away.”—Christina Myers, author of Halfway Home
What listeners say about The Monster and the Mirror
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LeahS
- 2024-10-25
Hauntingly vulnerable and culturally relevant - a must read.
The Monster and The Mirror is mesmerizing blend of memoir, research, and fantasy, that dives into the intricacies of mental health and societal perception. Hauntingly vulnerable, Aiello opens up about her mental health journey, evoking a sense of deep emotional resonance and raw honesty that lingers in the mind of the reader long after experiencing it. Revealing depths of poignant emotion and vulnerability, the author skillfully intertwines their personal journey with a compelling exploration of fantasy culture. Beautifully read by the author herself, this book encourages introspection, and courageously prompts readers to ponder the pervasive trope of portraying mental health struggles through villains, sparking a profound inquiry into societal norms and representations in popular media. Challenging society’s perception of mental illness this book does a beautiful job of pulling at heartstrings and supporting a far more empathetic and compassionate approach for everyone experiencing mental health struggles.
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