{"product_id":"2940011841637","title":"The Magic Mirror; Twelve Allegories from a Neglected Reality","description":"\"The Magic Mirror\" is a collection of twelve stories writtin in the style of fables or allegorical myths.  The meanings are largely open-ended, urging the reader to think about and ultimately determine each story's specific \"moral.\"  The characters vary, as animals, plants, people, and even personal attributes take turns as the protagonist or antagonist in the different tales.  Many times these characters make unusual decisions, leaving the reader to ponder the motivation or rationale for the character's behavior.  The endings are not always happy, but tend to point to a condition or mindset that either fosters or betrays happiness.  This is hinted at in the collection's subtitle, \"...from a Neglected Reality.\"  Through their inability to choose the path that leads to happiness, the characters often sabotage their wellbeing or that of others in support of a shallow or self-centered outlook.  Perhaps the reader will be inspired and encouraged to identify the subtle role these oft-chosen negative illusions or their too often neglected positive realities play in his or her own life.  If the work has an over-arching theme, perhaps it would best be stated as followes: Ours lives are lived out through meaningful experience with the world in which we live.  Ultimately, we are the one who chooses whether to allow the whims of the world to determine our destiny, or to claim our own glorious reality.","brand":"Paul Stephens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47078556303600,"sku":"2940011841637","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940011841637_p0.jpg?v=1763550671","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940011841637","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}