My favorite novel, The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster, was published in 1961, the year I graduated high school next-to-last in my class, ten years before taking up residence in Mr. Juster’s occasional hometown, Amherst, Massachusetts, as the oldest freshman Amherst College had ever admitted. Last I heard, The Phantom Tollbooth has sold around five million copies. Given my decidedly charmed life of heartbreak and indulgence by an unconditionally loving universe, I’m about to publish a novel that might enjoy its own sustained playtime with kindred souls –– presuming the gods grin and the story fulfills the promise of its title.
The reason for this essay is to invite you who endure my shenanigans on these pages to read an early reader copy of Mirror Man and, if so moved, email me an account of your experience that I might post on this website. You will be helping humankind answer one of life’s vital questions: Is a date with MM even remotely as much fun as having tea with your favorite saint?
Here’s the plan: A complimentary early reader copy will be shipped to the first 50 people who email me saying they’ll give it a shot. A surprise gift related to the book will be sent to everyone after the first 50. I’ll pick up the tab, of course.
A few of my spiritual playmates have already have raised their voice. How one in particular characterized the novel may give you a feel of what to anticipate.
I love the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic of ancient India. A story of complex interconnectedness of people among many lifetimes whose treachery, viciousness, thievery, devotion, murder, rape, passion, hate, revenge and assorted malice envelop passages of soaring spirituality and insight into the ultimate truths about the human condition and sage advice about what we need to put our attention on in order to evolve fastest in this lifetime. People read it for the stories, get the knowledge as a side-effect. Similarly, this is what you have created with Mirror Man.
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One particular aspect of the novel deserved a disclaimer right up front. Here it is:
There’s a Reason They Call it Fiction
Certain readers will not be surprised to learn that the fictional Swami in Mirror Man is based on Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), whose spirit animates my life. That said, any reader who takes literally anything the Swami says or does as an expression of Yogananda is confusing my imagination (unencumbered by facts) with the reality of Yogananda’s presence in the world. For an authoritative understanding of that, please turn to the organization he founded: Self-Realization Fellowship.
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If your heart says yes to stepping into this metaphysical adventure––and sharing your experience of it––email me a note along with your usps mailing address.
I look forward to publishing your two cents about my two cents.
As I head into retirement, I’ll give it a read.
All I can say is………..EPIC!
Don’t think twice about saying yes.