Mirror, Mirror by A B Endacott

“A deep-dive into storytelling that takes the reader on a journey that is both insightful and profound. The literary equivalent of sitting down with a good friend and a cup of tea to unravel the world’s mysteries. Often humorous and never didactic, Mirror, Mirror deftly stitches a tapestry of anthropology, literary theory and philosophy to explore the nature of storytelling.”

~ Lili Wilkinson, award-winning Australian author

*****

“[A] pocket rocket of delight… This is an important and vital read to remind us and others that we all have a story within us.”

~ South Australia Book Review

*****

“Storytelling is the foundation of everything — of history and humanity — but being so all‑encompassing is really overwhelming, and it’s hard to solidify distinct ideas about its function and importance.

Enter Mirror, Mirror by A B Endacott: a beautiful explainer of this fundamental that connects all of us. This should be studied in schools, writing classes, by book clubs, and by the curious among us!”

~ Danielle Binks, author and literary agent.

*****

“Mirror, Mirror is an insightful essay that effectively evokes the importance of stories and storytelling in human interaction and in the construction of societal standards and norms. Storytelling is something primal — an ever‑present force in human history — yet one that is frequently overlooked and under‑appreciated.

While Mirror,Mirror provides plenty of food for thought, it is only a starting point in an absolutely fascinating field of inquiry. I hope the author, A B Endacott, has the opportunity to continue this work, as understanding the phenomenon outlined in this brief book feels more pertinent than ever in an era shaped by a media landscape dominated by a few conglomerates.”

~ Brendan, reader.

*****

“This book did so much more for me than I was expecting it to — and I had high hopes. Alice writes with a unique charm and humour, making for an easy yet thought‑provoking read. I found it powerful in the moments where it made me question my own reading habits, including what message I’m sending and what we can do better. I highly recommend this book to everyone (especially as it’s such a quick read). I’m excited to read the next instalments in The Mini Collection.”

~ Meghan, reader.

*****

“I loved this deep dive into the reasons we tell and share stories. Alice expertly weaves past and present‑day fairytales with the rationale behind why they remain popular. This book has so many ah‑ha moments, and it will make you reminiscent of your childhood — especially if, like me, you grew up on a diet of stories and Disney animation.”

~ Jayse, reader.

*****

“It’s magic in its purest form. There’s no denying that I adore Alice and her work, but finishing this book made me love her brilliance even more. For such a small book, I was pleasantly surprised by how often I paused to ponder and agree with the points she made. This thought‑provoking read offers a unique way of looking at fairytales — their history, their creation, and their evolution.

After finishing, I found myself reflecting on my own reading and writing habits and planning how I can do better. Feeling anything at the end of a book is one of the holiest signs of a damn good read. To wrap it up in a few words: I loved it. You will too.”

~ Blue, reader.

*****

“This book is a fantastic read! I felt like I’d sat down in a café with the author, sharing a coffee and a great conversation about life and how it shapes us and our thoughts. The writing is amazing, and for a non‑fiction book I was totally engrossed. I’ve come away thinking about what I read and the messages it conveyed. I highly recommend picking up this book — and then picking up some of the books mentioned. I know I will be!”

~ Jadyen, reader.

*****

“I didn’t know essays were my thing until I had to read a considerable number of them for uni — and until I had to write my own. Fortunately, I fell in love with the genre and learned how to experience and appreciate it. Now I feel utterly honoured to have been trusted to review Alice’s outstanding book.

I don’t know Alice personally, but her sense of humour shines through her writing. Her sentences are embedded with wit while maintaining intelligent arguments that had me exclaiming ‘yes, yes, exactly this!’ more often than not. She explores fascinating concepts such as the intricacies of storytelling — why we tell stories, how they influence our lives, and how certain narratives become ingrained in us forever. She develops her ideas with brilliance, through professional yet compelling writing, and examines concepts that shape our daily lives, especially for readers, reviewers, and bookstagrammers.

It’s no secret that I work for a children’s publisher here in Australia and collaborate closely with companies like Disney. Because of this, I have a personal interest in how Disney’s retellings and original stories affect our lives, particularly for generations like mine who were influenced by them from early childhood. I was ecstatic reading Alice’s essay on this topic — she nailed every single argument. I doubtlessly need to sit down and have a coffee with this brilliant writer; her brain is undoubtedly worth picking.

Ultimately, every time I pick up a book, I’m hoping to find what Alice delivered in Mirror, Mirror: solid writing, thought‑provoking topics, and the pleasure of being inspired by someone else’s insights. I have nothing left to say but a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to both Alice and Kat.

Overall, Mirror, Mirror is a must‑read — an insightful collection of essays that reflects on the power of stories, written by a talented author whose ideas I will carry with me for a very long time. I urge everyone to read it — no regrets assured.”

~ Camila, reader and reviewer.