A review by rgoth
The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell by K.J. Aiello

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

This is great book that defies easy categorisation. It's a memoir that delves into cultural critique and examines the stigma surrounding mental illness. Rating books that touch on such personal and sensitive topics can be challenging, but I found myself evaluating it based on the quality of the writing and how deeply it resonated with me.

One part that particularly stood out to me was the exploration of humanity and the unique ways in which we perceive the world. The author's examination of how our perspectives differ not only from those of other species but also from one another was truly thought-provoking.

The book is meticulously researched and well written, drawing me into the author's emotional journey. Although the subject matter is heavy, I found the storytelling to be incredibly compelling. While I hesitate to say I "enjoyed" it due to the weight of the content, I certainly found it to be a powerful and moving read that I would wholeheartedly recommend.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the author herself. This added an extra layer of intimacy to the already impactful narrative.

If I were to offer any critique, I did find certain sections to be a bit slow-paced, and some parts resonated with me more than others. Nevertheless, I believe this book offers a deeply emotive experience, and I found the audiobook to be particularly enjoyable.

I am grateful to the author, the publishers, and Netgalley for the advance listening copy of this audiobook. As always, my reviews are entirely my own

Expand filter menu Content Warnings