I received a gifted audiobook copy of THE MONSTER AND THE MIRROR: MENTAL ILLNESS, MAGIC, AND THE STORIES WE TELL by K.J. Aiello from ECW Press Audio.

Publication Date: 9/24/2024
Rating: 5 / 5

THE MONSTER AND THE MIRROR is a combination of memoir and essays on the representation of mental illness in the realm of entertainment. Using the author’s own personal interest in the realm of fantasy and her experience with mental illness, she critiques the representation of people labeled “other” in popular media and the way popular media recontextualizes issues like mental illness, addiction, and more.

Working in the mental health realm, I like to try to pick up memoirs and other non-fiction focused in on mental health. Finding a book which both encompassed this and fantasy, it was an easy request from netgalley! I am really glad that I picked this audiobook up and really enjoyed the author’s narration. I also appreciated that the author included trigger warnings in the beginning as this book does include some very heavy topics.

I thought that the book was very well constructed with a lot of terrific insights into the way the world perceives those with mental illness as well as those in general who are considered ‘other’ in society. From a very popular fantasy writer who has taken up the anti-trans cause, to depictions in Game of Thrones, a video game that puts the player in the mind of a person experiencing psychosis, and many other series and movies, the balance of entertainment and own-voices discussions of ‘otherness’ was really well done.

I am so glad that I picked this up and would highly recommend it! #NonfictionNovember is coming up and this would be a great one to add to your list!

**Listened to the audiobook**

This was such an interesting concept for a book - was super intrigued by it!
I really enjoyed listening.

I found the moments when Aiello looked in depth about mental health in popular culture and throughout history super interesting. I liked these sections more than just Aiello retelling her life story.

The narrator was great too.

Overall I enjoyed the book - but some sections were more interesting than others.

This was a hard read for me. It was harder to listen to. The narration is perfection. This is narrated by the author and she has a lovely voice. I was crying and wanting to protect little her right from the beginning. I liked it a lot but I was also so sad.

The Monster in the Mirror by K.J. Aiello is an unflinching and deeply personal exploration of mental illness, told from the author’s own lived experiences. This raw, evocative account reveals the often misunderstood realities of living with bipolar disorder, depression, and the haunting presence of one’s inner critic. Aiello doesn’t hold back, vividly describing the pain and anguish that mental illness can inflict on an individual. Her experiences with depressive episodes are laid bare, painting a gut-wrenching picture of the despair she endures.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is how Aiello contrasts the media’s portrayal of mental illness with the actual experience. The author provides a profound critique of how individuals with mental illness are treated by society and the medical system. Her bouquet of words creates a vivid image of the emotional and mental toll her conditions take, all while being weighed down by a relentless inner voice that criticizes her for her struggles.

As the narrator of her own story, Aiello brings an authenticity and depth that simply could not be matched by anyone else. Her voice captures the palpable weight of her experiences, making this audiobook an incredibly intimate and powerful listen.

The Monster in the Mirror is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder and mental illness. Mental health professionals will find a new level of insight into their patients’ struggles, while family members of those with mental illness will gain a clearer sense of the emotional landscape their loved ones navigate. For those with mental illness themselves, Aiello offers a voice to the often indescribable turmoil, making this book a vital tool for communicating their experiences.

Thank you to NetGalley, K.J. Aiello, and ECW Press Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this powerful audiobook.

Part memoir, part literary criticism, part science, this book has something for everyone. If non-fiction isn't your thing- rest assured Aiello has crafted a expose' that is driven by personal narrative, compelling storytelling, and empathetic analysis. I was bewitched from the very start. Aiello doesn't shy away from writing through their pain, nor do they hold back from a deft critique of the way mental illness is treated by media, literature, the medical establishment, and society at large. They aptly shed light on what it feels like to live with bipolar disorder, trauma, and the never ending pursuit of being okay. Their frustration seeps through the story and just when you feel like you can't hear anymore- they bring you back to the light. I am so impressed with this book. Highly recommend!

When I finished this book, I couldn’t help but think about The Backwards Hand and No One Cares About Crazy People. Both of these reads tackled society’s views on disability and mental illness, delivering with strong, unique voices. The Monster and The Mirror shares that same powerful passion for a topic that truly deserves more discussion. The author’s tone really stands out here, making you feel like you can’t help but give her your full attention and, at the same time, deeply relate to her experiences.

As a person with a disability, I found so many moments in this memoir where I felt truly seen and heard. It also made me reflect on the ways in which communities marginalize or engage with those living with mental illness. One of the standout elements for me was the author’s brilliant analysis of how pop culture portrays illness and disability—so often reduced to underdeveloped, misunderstood, or downright evil tropes.

I can’t recommend the audiobook enough for this read. I had the privilege of receiving both the digital ARC and the audiobook ARC, and hearing the author narrate her own story added such a deeper layer of connection. Her changes in tone and cadence elevated that vulnerability that’s already present in the writing. After all, who better to tell your story than you? Having the author’s voice deliver the raw and real moments only made everything resonate that much more.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from K.J. Aiello. Her narration felt balanced in ways that were comforting, conversational, and passionate. She has a perspective and voice that not only makes her stories her own but also challenges the way we look at characters—and even ourselves. I have to genuinely applaud her for capturing so many raw moments while keeping the read engaging in its own way.

Thank you to NetGalley, ECW Press, K.J. Aiello, and ECW Press Audio. I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy.

I am very much the target audience for a book like this.

I am always to interested to learn about the things media perpetuates through its tropes and characters. This one dives deep into mental illness and what we see on screen/ read in books and what the author experiences through childhood to adulthood before they got their diagnosis.

MANY of the nuances pointed out where not things I had ever thought about but were very logical and well thought out. I will absolutely not be able to look at things the same way and i hope that was the point of the book.

Thanks to netgalley and ECW Press for an alc

This book is so captivating. I identify with the whole nature vs. nurture for my mental health. Is my mental illness the product of the life I was made to live or because I was born this way. It’s such a beautiful story.

I listened to this in audiobook form and it was read by the author. I love that so much. It is her story, it’s so very personal. She knows the feelings she felt in those moments so there is no one better to read the story with feeling. I feel like this particular book, given its contents, is best read by the author themself.