The Praescriptionary

Abstract

The Praescriptionary is a project that explores the power of stories to guide, to empower and to heal the soul. In the main framing tale, we find Bhavin, a grieving widower and Astrid, a patient in a comatose state, both unable to move on with their lives. Bhavin discovers the Praescriptionary, a magical book capable of dispensing just the right tale for the reader (or the listener’s) soul, in a mysterious bookshop. It is when he begins reading and sharing it with Astrid that they both began their journey towards healing. The seven tales which the book reveals to our protagonists are nestled within the larger frame tale so that readers may experience immersion along with the protagonists and be startled when they surface back in the main tale, realizing that they are still within a layer of story. The sub-stories are original creations though there are a few re-imaginings of existing myth or fairytales. Each tale carries within it the kernel of an impetus towards healing for one or both of the main characters to help them on their paths to wholeness. There is also a key psychological step towards grief recovery enmeshed deep within each story, though each retains a unique flavor, with the exception of the linked Lost Princess tales. This individuality is reflected in the frontispiece illustration, a composite of seven panels of original artwork, each based on one of the seven tales and made by the author for this work.