“There are some things you can't undo, no matter how hard you try to scrub them away.”
— After a particularly disturbing event, the protagonist reflects on the lasting impact of actions.
Archivist's Choice
The Mirror
Marlys Millhiser (1978)
Genre
Fantasy / Historical Fiction / Mystery / Science Fiction / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
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Trapped in the past on her grandmother's wedding day, a 1978 bride must navigate Victorian expectations, while her grandmother, flung into the future, grapples with an unexpected pregnancy and the freedoms of the disco era.
Synopsis
On the eve of her 1978 wedding, Shay Garrett looks into an antique mirror in her family's Boulder, Colorado home and is transported back to 1900. She wakes in the body of her own grandmother, Brandy, who is also on the eve of her wedding. Meanwhile, Brandy's consciousness inhabits Shay's body in 1978, discovering she is pregnant. Both women must navigate different eras and lives. Shay, now Brandy, marries her grandfather and experiences early 20th-century life, grappling with societal expectations and her new identity. Brandy, as Shay, faces modern life and an unexpected pregnancy, trying to understand their switch. Decades pass for Shay in the past, and months for Brandy in the future. Both women mature, make difficult choices, and eventually, the mirror calls to them again, offering a chance to return to their original times and bodies. They must confront the impact of their swapped lives and make a final, life-altering decision.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Intriguing, Reflective, Romantic, Historical
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy time travel stories with a focus on character development and the societal differences between eras, and don't mind a touch of romance and mystery.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer hard science fiction over magical realism in your time travel, or if you dislike stories with significant plot threads involving unexpected pregnancy.
Plot Summary
The Switch
Shay Garrett prepares for her wedding to Peter in 1978 at her family's Victorian Gingerbread House in Boulder, Colorado. Feeling a mix of excitement and worry, she gazes into an antique mirror. A strange sensation overcomes her, and she faints. She awakens disoriented in 1900, in a corseted dress, inhabiting the body of her twenty-year-old grandmother, Brandy, who is also on the eve of her wedding to John, a man Shay barely knows. At the same time, Brandy, a naive young woman from 1900, wakes up in Shay's modern body in 1978, discovering she is inexplicably pregnant and about to marry a stranger named Peter.
Brandy's Plight in 1978
Brandy, now in Shay's body, is overwhelmed by the future. The cars, telephones, and televisions of 1978 are bewildering. More urgently, she discovers she is pregnant and unmarried, a scandalous situation for a woman of her era. Shay's mother, Ann, assumes Brandy is merely suffering from pre-wedding jitters and dismisses her strange behavior and claims of being from the past. Brandy, a proper young woman, is horrified by the idea of marrying Peter while pregnant and tries to understand her new reality, fearing she has gone mad or is dreaming. She struggles to maintain Shay's persona while battling her 1900s morality and understanding of the world.
Shay's Adjustment to 1900
Shay, now in Brandy's body, finds herself in a world without electricity, running hot water, or any of the freedoms she takes for granted. She is expected to marry John, a man she doesn't love and who is far more traditional than Peter. Shay experiences the contrast in women's roles and expectations; her modern sensibilities clash with the rigid etiquette and limited opportunities for women in 1900. She struggles with the clothing, the lack of privacy, and the subservient role expected of a wife. Despite the initial shock, Shay realizes she must play Brandy's part to survive, all while trying to understand how the switch occurred and if there's a way back to her own time and body.
The Two Weddings
In 1978, Brandy (as Shay) reluctantly goes through with the wedding to Peter. She is deeply uncomfortable with the modern ceremony and the intimacy expected of her, her 1900s sensibilities clashing with the casualness of 1970s romance. She feels guilt and confusion, believing she is committing a sin by marrying a man who is not her intended. Meanwhile, in 1900, Shay (as Brandy) marries John. She finds him a kind but distant man, and the marriage is a stark contrast to her relationship with Peter. She struggles with the physical aspects of marriage in an era where women had little say, and she feels a loss for her own time and her fiancé.
Life in the Past
Shay, as Brandy, settles into married life with John. She adapts to the domestic duties, the lack of modern conveniences, and the strict social hierarchy of 1900 Boulder. She grows fond of John's quiet kindness and develops a different kind of love for him, born of companionship. She also forms relationships with John's family and the community, learning about the town's history firsthand. Shay realizes she is living her grandmother's life, experiencing the foundational moments that would shape her own family tree, and she begins to understand the impact her presence in the past has on the future.
Life in the Future
Brandy, as Shay, gives birth to a son, whom she names David. She embraces motherhood with fierce protectiveness. She finds Peter to be a loving and supportive husband, despite her initial reservations. Brandy is charmed by the modern world's conveniences, though she still struggles with its moral looseness. She learns to drive a car, use modern appliances, and navigates the complexities of 1970s parenting. She develops a deep affection for Peter and their son, forming a new family unit that is both familiar and alien, all while still secretly longing for her own time and her intended groom, John.
Seeds of the Future
As Shay lives Brandy's life in 1900, she influences her own family's history. She introduces subtle modern ideas into the household, shaping her children's upbringing and her husband's perspectives. She learns about the origins of the Gingerbread House and the community that would become her home. Shay realizes that the children she is raising are her own grandparents and great-aunts/uncles, creating a complex web of familial connection across time. She also learns about the mirror's history and its connection to her family, deepening the mystery of her situation and the potential for a return.
The Years Pass
Decades pass for both Shay and Brandy. Shay, as Brandy, raises her children with John, experiencing the joys and sorrows of early 20th-century life. She witnesses historical events and sees Boulder grow. She continues to search for clues about the mirror and a way back, but life takes precedence. Brandy, as Shay, raises David with Peter, enjoying the freedoms and challenges of the 1970s and beyond. She becomes a mother, a wife, and a woman of her new time, though she never fully sheds her 1900s sensibilities. Both women, despite their initial resistance, become deeply involved in their borrowed lives, finding happiness and purpose.
The Mirror's Call
After living full lives in their swapped eras, subtle signs begin to emerge, suggesting the mirror's power might not be permanent. For Shay (as Brandy), she feels a growing pull towards the antique mirror in the Gingerbread House, a sense of impending change. For Brandy (as Shay), similar feelings arise, a quiet yearning for her true time and identity. The women, now older and having experienced full lives in their respective swapped bodies, begin to wonder if the opportunity to switch back is presenting itself, or if it's merely a fantasy brought on by age and reflection.
The Return to the Mirror
Years later, both Shay and Brandy, having lived rich and full lives in their swapped bodies, find themselves drawn back to the antique mirror. Shay, as an elderly Brandy, stands before the mirror in the Gingerbread House in 1978, the same year she originally left. Brandy, as an elderly Shay, also stands before the mirror in the same house, but in 1900. They gaze into their reflections, seeing not their original youthful selves, but the faces of the women they have become. The mirror seems to shimmer, offering a choice, a chance to return to their original bodies, but also forcing them to confront the lives they have built and the people they have become.
The Choice
As the mirror pulsates with energy, Shay and Brandy face a profound choice. Shay, having lived a lifetime as Brandy, raised children, and experienced the turn of the century, grapples with leaving the family she has come to love and the life she built. Brandy, having experienced modern motherhood and a different kind of love with Peter, also hesitates to abandon her son and the life she made in the future. The decision is not simple; it means potentially erasing the lives they’ve led and the impact they’ve had. They must weigh their original identities against the experiences and attachments formed during their time-traveling existence.
The Resolution
In the end, both Shay and Brandy make their choices. The book concludes with a reflection on identity, fate, and the power of love across time. Whether they switch back or remain in their adopted lives, the impact of their journeys is undeniable. The narrative leaves the reader contemplating the nature of self and family history, suggesting that sometimes, the path less chosen becomes the true destiny. The mirror, a silent witness, holds the secrets of their past and future, allowing them to choose their own versions of happiness and fulfillment.
Principal Figures
Shay Garrett
The Protagonist
Shay transforms from a somewhat self-absorbed modern woman into a resilient, compassionate woman who learns to appreciate the simpler, harder life of the past and the profound meaning of family.
Brandy
The Protagonist
Brandy evolves from a sheltered, traditional young woman to a strong, adaptable mother who learns to navigate and appreciate the complexities of the future, while retaining her core values.
Peter
The Supporting
Peter remains consistently loving and supportive, providing stability for Brandy and adapting to her subtle shifts in personality without fully understanding the cause.
John
The Supporting
John remains a consistent, honorable man, offering stability and quiet love to Shay throughout their marriage.
Ann Garrett
The Supporting
Ann remains a consistent, well-meaning mother figure, unknowingly interacting with her own past self through Brandy.
David
The Supporting
David grows up as a loved child, the innocent product of the time-traveling switch.
The Mirror
The Mentioned
The mirror remains a mystical object, its true nature never fully explained, serving as the constant link between the two timelines and the women.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
The novel explores what constitutes one's identity when body, time, and circumstances are altered. Both Shay and Brandy must shed their old notions of self and adapt to new personas. Shay, a modern woman, discovers a strength and domesticity she never knew she had, while Brandy, a sheltered 1900s woman, learns independence and embraces modern love and motherhood. Their journeys show that identity is not solely tied to one's original body or era, but is shaped by experiences, relationships, and choices made under extraordinary circumstances. For example, Shay finds love and purpose with John in 1900, while Brandy develops a deep bond with Peter and David in 1978, questioning who they truly are by the story's end.
“Perhaps a life is not defined by the body it inhabits, but by the love it gives and receives.”
The Clash of Eras and Social Change
The differences between 1900 and 1978 are a central theme, showing the social, technological, and cultural evolution of the 20th century. Shay struggles with the lack of women's rights, restrictive clothing, and absence of modern conveniences in 1900, while Brandy is overwhelmed by cars, televisions, and the perceived moral laxity of 1978. The narrative uses their experiences to comment on the progress and sometimes loss of societal values, gender roles, and daily life. Brandy's horror at being pregnant and unmarried in 1978 contrasts with Shay's frustration at the limited options for women in 1900, emphasizing the shifts in women's liberation over the decades.
“It was a world of corsets and carriages, a stark prison for a woman used to jeans and automobiles.”
Love and Family Across Time
The novel explores the enduring nature of love and family connections, transcending time. Both Shay and Brandy find love and build families in their swapped lives, showing that emotional bonds can form under unusual circumstances. Shay develops a deep, companionate love for John, her grandmother's husband, and raises her own ancestors. Brandy, in turn, falls in love with Peter, Shay's fiancé, and raises their son, David. This theme questions 'destiny' and shows how love can adapt and flourish, creating new family lines and fulfilling different versions of happiness, regardless of original intentions or timelines. The children born to them represent intertwined destinies.
“Love, it seemed, was not bound by time or expectation, but by the heart's own mysterious choices.”
Fate vs. Free Will
The mirror's magical intervention raises questions about whether Shay and Brandy are merely fulfilling a predetermined destiny or if they have agency in shaping their new lives. While the initial switch is involuntary, both women make active choices about how they live within their new realities, forming relationships and making decisions that diverge from their original intentions. Their adaptation and the happiness they find suggest a blend of fate (the switch itself) and free will (their responses to it). The ultimate choice to return or remain in their swapped lives at the end emphasizes this tension, implying that while circumstances may be fated, how one lives within those circumstances is a matter of personal choice.
“Was she merely living out a script written long ago, or was she, in this borrowed life, truly forging her own path?”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Body Swap
Two characters exchange bodies, creating immediate conflict and a dual narrative.
The central plot device is the body swap between Shay and Brandy. This immediately creates a dual narrative, allowing the reader to experience both 1900 and 1978 through the eyes of someone displaced. It generates inherent conflict as each woman struggles to adapt to an unfamiliar body, time period, and social expectations, while also providing opportunities for humor and poignant social commentary. The body swap is the engine of the plot, driving all character development and thematic exploration.
Time Travel (via object)
An antique mirror acts as a portal, sending characters to different historical periods.
The antique mirror functions as a magical time travel device. Unlike a machine, its power is mystical and linked to family history, adding a layer of romantic fantasy. The mirror's ability to not only transport individuals through time but also swap their bodies is unique. It serves as both the catalyst for the entire story and a recurring symbol of the intertwined destinies of the Garrett family, hinting at an unexplained, perhaps fated, connection between generations.
Fish Out of Water
Characters are placed in completely unfamiliar environments, highlighting cultural differences.
Both Shay and Brandy experience the 'fish out of water' trope. Shay, a modern woman, is plunged into the restrictive, pre-technological world of 1900, while Brandy, a sheltered woman from 1900, is thrown into the technologically advanced and socially liberated 1978. This device is crucial for showcasing the dramatic differences between the eras, generating both comedic and dramatic moments as they try to navigate unfamiliar customs, language, and technology, and ultimately forcing them to adapt and grow.
Dramatic Irony
The audience is aware of information that the characters within the story are not.
Dramatic irony is prevalent throughout the novel. The reader knows that Shay is living Brandy's life in 1900 and that Brandy is living Shay's life in 1978, but the characters around them are oblivious. This creates tension and humor, particularly as Peter and John interact with their 'wives' who are subtly (or not so subtly) different. This device enhances the emotional impact, as the reader understands the internal struggles and profound implications of the characters' actions in a way that the supporting characters cannot.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The past isn't just behind us; sometimes it's right here, breathing down your neck.”
— A character grapples with the inescapable influence of past events on their present life.
“Love, like a good mystery, often hides its true face until you're willing to look beyond the obvious.”
— Reflecting on the complex and sometimes deceptive nature of romantic relationships.
“You can change your clothes, your hair, even your name, but you can't outrun what's in your heart.”
— A character's internal struggle with identity and the core of who they are, despite external changes.
“The line between what is real and what we wish to be real is often as fragile as old lace.”
— Pondering the blurred boundaries of reality and illusion, especially when dealing with time travel or alternate realities.
“Sometimes the greatest magic is simply surviving, day after day, against all odds.”
— A moment of quiet reflection on the resilience of the human spirit in difficult circumstances.
“A secret, once shared, ceases to be entirely yours.”
— Discussing the burden and shared ownership of revealing deeply personal information.
“The future isn't a fixed path; it's a garden you tend with every choice you make.”
— A character considers the impact of their decisions on the unfolding of events.
“Even the clearest reflection can lie, showing you only what you expect to see.”
— Referring to the literal mirror in the story, but also metaphorically about self-perception and deception.
“There's a certain kind of bravery in admitting you're lost, even to yourself.”
— A character confronts their confusion and uncertainty about their situation.
“History isn't just dates and names; it's the echo of countless lives lived and decisions made.”
— Emphasizing the human element and personal stories within historical events.
“Sometimes the only way forward is to look back, not to dwell, but to learn.”
— A character gains insight into their present predicament by understanding past events.
“The most beautiful things are often the most fragile, and the most easily broken.”
— Reflecting on the delicate nature of beauty, love, and life itself.
“To truly know someone, you must see them not just as they are now, but as they were, and as they might yet be.”
— A profound thought on understanding the full scope of a person's life and potential.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
On the eve of her 1978 wedding, Shay Garrett looks into an antique mirror in her family's Boulder home and awakens in the body of her grandmother, Brandy, on the eve of Brandy's 1900 wedding. Simultaneously, Brandy's consciousness inhabits Shay's 1978 body, discovering she is inexplicably pregnant, setting off a dual narrative of time and identity displacement.
