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Middle-Aged Man in a Trashcan
Joe's lived here all his life, but he's not from around here. Street names are different, landmarks lie, and even money shows presidents he's never known. Some versions of Fort Wayne, Indiana are apocalyptic wastelands; others harbor darker secrets.
When trouble strikes, Joe opens a trash can and tears a rift in reality. Inside lies a void where he glimpses the multiverse and rides unknown currents to another Fort Wayne, hoping this one might finally feel like home.
With each crossing, his memories slip away. Only Nobuyuki, his shape-shifting kitsune companion, remains constant, and they are hiding secrets about Joe's past that he may never remember. In a multiverse where the next trash can might lead to salvation or doom, Joe must find his way back before he forgets what home is.
When trouble strikes, Joe opens a trash can and tears a rift in reality. Inside lies a void where he glimpses the multiverse and rides unknown currents to another Fort Wayne, hoping this one might finally feel like home.
With each crossing, his memories slip away. Only Nobuyuki, his shape-shifting kitsune companion, remains constant, and they are hiding secrets about Joe's past that he may never remember. In a multiverse where the next trash can might lead to salvation or doom, Joe must find his way back before he forgets what home is.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
William Brian Johnson
7 books19 followersLike a crow in a field of glass.
Brian Johnson is a storm photographer, writer, teacher, adventurer. He's kind of an evil version of Robert Fulghum.
Brian Johnson is a storm photographer, writer, teacher, adventurer. He's kind of an evil version of Robert Fulghum.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 2, 2025
One of the things on my bucket list this year was to dive into sci-fi more. And dive I did—straight into a trashcan with portal abilities. Where did it take me? To Middle-Aged Man in a Trashcan by Brian Johnson—a delightfully absurd, unexpectedly poignant, and occasionally taco&coffee-fueled ride through the multiverse..
Yes, this story is entertaining, fun, and eye-opening—but it’s also so much more. This is the kind of book that makes you reflect on the universe (or should I say, universi?), the memories we hold dear, and the elusive purpose of life itself. Preferably thinking about it all while holding a nice cup of coffee.
Because really, what is life without the memories that shape it? Are we just one interdimensional dumpster dive away from existential chaos? Joe might be. As he searches for the world he belongs to, he’s also trying to remember—grasping at fragments of people and places that feel familiar but remain just out of reach.
He’s not alone. Nobuyuki, his shape-shifting kitsune companion, might be the only constant in his kaleidoscopic journey. Then there's Tom, the inexplicably ever-present taco-truck guy, who may or may not be a cosmic being with excellent salsa. Just a friendly face—or something... more?
Joe is searching for answers. And also for coffee. Maybe even a taco or two.
Will he find his way back home?
Yes, this story is entertaining, fun, and eye-opening—but it’s also so much more. This is the kind of book that makes you reflect on the universe (or should I say, universi?), the memories we hold dear, and the elusive purpose of life itself. Preferably thinking about it all while holding a nice cup of coffee.
Because really, what is life without the memories that shape it? Are we just one interdimensional dumpster dive away from existential chaos? Joe might be. As he searches for the world he belongs to, he’s also trying to remember—grasping at fragments of people and places that feel familiar but remain just out of reach.
He’s not alone. Nobuyuki, his shape-shifting kitsune companion, might be the only constant in his kaleidoscopic journey. Then there's Tom, the inexplicably ever-present taco-truck guy, who may or may not be a cosmic being with excellent salsa. Just a friendly face—or something... more?
Joe is searching for answers. And also for coffee. Maybe even a taco or two.
Will he find his way back home?
June 25, 2025
It’s exciting to be pulled into a story; one that continues to play in my mind in between the times I am reading. Johnson’s descriptive narrative does just that. The relationship between Joe and Nobuyuki is alarmingly haunting and yet comforting. I became an engaged observer as I traveled with them through the multiverse. The use of Fort Wayne, IN added familiarity and clarity to the various versions of this city and the events taking place in each. Johnson’s subtle humor keeps what could otherwise be only a dark tale. Instead a trait of being human runs throughout.
June 25, 2025
It’s exciting to be pulled into a story; one that continues to play in my mind in between the times I am reading. Johnson’s descriptive narrative does just that. The relationship between Joe and Nobuyuki is alarmingly haunting and yet comforting. I became an engaged observer as I traveled with them through the multiverse. The use of Fort Wayne, IN added familiarity and clarity to the various versions of this city and the events taking place in each. Johnson’s subtle humor keeps what could otherwise be only a dark tale. Instead a trait of being human runs throughout.
June 28, 2025
The perfect book for sci-fi fans! Our MMC opens up a trashcan, and causes a rift in reality. His companion is a shape shifter, and honestly i loved the duo. It was both comforting and alarming; but arent most relatuonships? Yet some truths may not have come to light yet. World building was definitely unique, yet had anchors to current times/reality woven throughout. Descriptive writing, and approriate pacing. Will our MMC, Joe, ever find his way home?
July 4, 2025
So, Joe’s life? Yeah, it’s kind of a mess, literally. He’s jumping through trash cans into totally different versions of his hometown. Some are wrecked, some are super weird, and all of them feel just a little bit off.
And get this, every time Joe crosses into a new world, he loses pieces of his memory. Imagine trying to find your way back home while slowly forgetting what “home” even means. Major ouch.
His only constant? Nobuyuki, a shape-shifting kitsune who’s kinda sus and definitely knows more than they’re saying. The mystery between them is lowkey my favorite part.
The whole vibe is fast, quirky, kinda heartbreaking, and totally unique. It’s like multiverse hopping meets emotional chaos, plus, who knew trash cans could be portals? 😂
If you like stories that are weird, fun, but also hit you right in the feels, Middle-aged Man in a Trashcan should totally be on your list. It’s one of those books you didn’t know you needed.
And get this, every time Joe crosses into a new world, he loses pieces of his memory. Imagine trying to find your way back home while slowly forgetting what “home” even means. Major ouch.
His only constant? Nobuyuki, a shape-shifting kitsune who’s kinda sus and definitely knows more than they’re saying. The mystery between them is lowkey my favorite part.
The whole vibe is fast, quirky, kinda heartbreaking, and totally unique. It’s like multiverse hopping meets emotional chaos, plus, who knew trash cans could be portals? 😂
If you like stories that are weird, fun, but also hit you right in the feels, Middle-aged Man in a Trashcan should totally be on your list. It’s one of those books you didn’t know you needed.
July 22, 2025
I love the concept of interdimensional travel through a trashcan that William Brian Johnson brings to life in Middle-Aged Man in a Trashcan! It was very fun getting to explore a new Fort Worth with Joe each time they emerged from their void. The unreliable narration through Joe's memory loss was also a very interesting aspect as the readers gain more information than what our main character has.
Overall, I found this story to be a little bit too confusing for my personal taste. There were a lot of unanswered questions and I was never really sure of the big goal the characters were trying to accomplish.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, I found this story to be a little bit too confusing for my personal taste. There were a lot of unanswered questions and I was never really sure of the big goal the characters were trying to accomplish.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2025
Middle-Aged Man in a Trash Can was a most interestingly spooky fantastical ride!
August 28, 2025
First of all, what a title. There was absolutely no way I was passing on requesting this ARC, and I'm so glad I received it! Middle-Aged Man in a Trashcan is an awesome marriage between science fiction, Japanese folklore, and psychological thriller. At no point did I know what the hell was happening, but I was excited to figure it out.
Imagine this: A middle-aged man named Joe from Fort Wayne, Indiana keeps finding himself in a celestial void, traveling through the multiverse with a shapeshifting travel companion. He can't ever seem to remember much about why he's there, where he came from, or who his buddy is. Every time they lift the lid to leave the void, they find themselves coming out of a trash can in some new version of Fort Wayne. Maybe there's a plague occurring. Maybe the moon has exploded and the world is ending. Maybe it's relatively normal looking...until they realize America is being ruled by lizard people.
Why can't Joe remember where he came from? Why is he traveling through the multiverse? Is his travel companion actually his friend or is he in danger? In some ways this book provides more questions than answers; I'm hoping there will be a sequel as I'm not quite sure the ending tied things up neatly enough for me to be satisfied. I want to know more about the Sancho Tom and his multiverse traveling taco truck. Fair warning: this book will make you hungry.
This review was written after receiving a courtesy digital ARC from Book Sirens. I am reviewing this work voluntarily.
Imagine this: A middle-aged man named Joe from Fort Wayne, Indiana keeps finding himself in a celestial void, traveling through the multiverse with a shapeshifting travel companion. He can't ever seem to remember much about why he's there, where he came from, or who his buddy is. Every time they lift the lid to leave the void, they find themselves coming out of a trash can in some new version of Fort Wayne. Maybe there's a plague occurring. Maybe the moon has exploded and the world is ending. Maybe it's relatively normal looking...until they realize America is being ruled by lizard people.
Why can't Joe remember where he came from? Why is he traveling through the multiverse? Is his travel companion actually his friend or is he in danger? In some ways this book provides more questions than answers; I'm hoping there will be a sequel as I'm not quite sure the ending tied things up neatly enough for me to be satisfied. I want to know more about the Sancho Tom and his multiverse traveling taco truck. Fair warning: this book will make you hungry.
This review was written after receiving a courtesy digital ARC from Book Sirens. I am reviewing this work voluntarily.
June 19, 2025
This book super entertaining—the perfect summer read, at least for me (a sci-fi fan). The world building was so unique but also based in reality. The fact that the novel was set in a familiar world, anchored the story, so even readers that aren’t all that experienced in the genre can easily jump in.
I could see this being a great first novel in a larger series because the world and characters were so well developed. I need the story to continue!!
PS I really need a prequel about Sancho Tom.
I could see this being a great first novel in a larger series because the world and characters were so well developed. I need the story to continue!!
PS I really need a prequel about Sancho Tom.
August 5, 2025
I just closed the last page, and this book still feels like it’s echoing inside me. Joe’s life or multiversal existence is such a wild, bittersweet ride. You watch him open a single trash can and leap into an entirely different Fort Wayne, sometimes a crumbling wasteland, sometimes unrecognizably strange, with its own geography, currency and even presidents he’s never met.
Every world-hop is traumatic in itself, but the real pain comes as Joe begins losing pieces of himself. Small memories, entire emotional ties, poof. I felt this creeping dread as he steps through one portal after another, losing familiarity. By the end, I was gripping my own memories, thinking about what really anchors who we are.
Then there’s Nobuyuki, the kitsune-shaped companion Joe meets early on. There were moments I wasn’t sure if Nobu was friend, trickster, or something meaningfully supernatural, maybe all three. They shift forms, shift tones, hold back information. But crucially they're Joe’s only constant amid shifting worlds. That relationship kept me emotionally grounded for Joe’s sake.
This book can shift from absurd, humorous slice-of-life (trash can as portal, taco-truck cameo, random weirdness) to sharp emotional punches. Joe’s existential worries, am I even real? Where am I from? His heartbreak at forgetting, these hit deeply. Yet Johnson handles it all with a lightness that avoids heavy-handedness.
It doesn’t waste time. Each alternate Fort Wayne is small but vivid: slightly broken lampposts, odd street names, deserted playgrounds, or currency featuring unfamiliar presidents. These details are layered generously, but not overloadingly. The pace mirrors Joe's mental dislocation, fast, fluid, chaotic.
I closed the book thinking hard about connection, memory, and purpose. What is “home” if you can’t remember? What fragments of ourselves are essential? There’s a philosophical undercurrent without it getting preachy, more a side effect of the storytelling than a lesson.
What I Loved
* The emotional weight beneath the goofy concept, trashcan portals, after all
* That sense of fragmented identity: Joe, increasingly unmoored, yet still searching
* Nobuyuki’s layered presence: trustworthy and mysterious
* The tiny uncanny details in each reality that build immersive multiverses without confusion
At times Joe’s memory loss sped up so fast I wished for a glimmer of clarity, just a line of anchor, even a flashback. But maybe that’s the point: his world is slipping, and so is his understanding of himself.
This is a weird, tender multiverse story that surprised me in how grounding it ultimately felt. It’s emotionally raw in places, imaginative in others, and consistently unique. If you're into quirky sci-fi with emotional depth, this one stayed with me longer than expected.
Every world-hop is traumatic in itself, but the real pain comes as Joe begins losing pieces of himself. Small memories, entire emotional ties, poof. I felt this creeping dread as he steps through one portal after another, losing familiarity. By the end, I was gripping my own memories, thinking about what really anchors who we are.
Then there’s Nobuyuki, the kitsune-shaped companion Joe meets early on. There were moments I wasn’t sure if Nobu was friend, trickster, or something meaningfully supernatural, maybe all three. They shift forms, shift tones, hold back information. But crucially they're Joe’s only constant amid shifting worlds. That relationship kept me emotionally grounded for Joe’s sake.
This book can shift from absurd, humorous slice-of-life (trash can as portal, taco-truck cameo, random weirdness) to sharp emotional punches. Joe’s existential worries, am I even real? Where am I from? His heartbreak at forgetting, these hit deeply. Yet Johnson handles it all with a lightness that avoids heavy-handedness.
It doesn’t waste time. Each alternate Fort Wayne is small but vivid: slightly broken lampposts, odd street names, deserted playgrounds, or currency featuring unfamiliar presidents. These details are layered generously, but not overloadingly. The pace mirrors Joe's mental dislocation, fast, fluid, chaotic.
I closed the book thinking hard about connection, memory, and purpose. What is “home” if you can’t remember? What fragments of ourselves are essential? There’s a philosophical undercurrent without it getting preachy, more a side effect of the storytelling than a lesson.
What I Loved
* The emotional weight beneath the goofy concept, trashcan portals, after all
* That sense of fragmented identity: Joe, increasingly unmoored, yet still searching
* Nobuyuki’s layered presence: trustworthy and mysterious
* The tiny uncanny details in each reality that build immersive multiverses without confusion
At times Joe’s memory loss sped up so fast I wished for a glimmer of clarity, just a line of anchor, even a flashback. But maybe that’s the point: his world is slipping, and so is his understanding of himself.
This is a weird, tender multiverse story that surprised me in how grounding it ultimately felt. It’s emotionally raw in places, imaginative in others, and consistently unique. If you're into quirky sci-fi with emotional depth, this one stayed with me longer than expected.
September 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The curiosity-provoking title caught my attention, but once I got into reading it turned out the trashcan wasn't really a key feature, and the protagonist Joe's age wasn't crucial to what happened, either.
However, the story was well-told, and interesting. It unfolds by itself without too much meta-explanation. The role of Joe's companion remains unclear, in a good way, i.e. you wonder whether the fox/old man/young girl should be trusted or abandoned, as Mike the taco guy advises. There is also no explanation for the mechanics of the trashcan or why Joe is in it, but I found that a plus; it's not about the how or why, it's about Joe himself and how he deals with things.
There are several moments when Joe acts in irritating ways, but I think this is a result of his doubts re his companion and Mike.
I won't give it 5 stars because in the very end I felt that it doesn't really matter what happens to Joe. Without a spoiler, that probably sounds like the protagonist wasn't a sympathetic character, but that's not the case, he is, but...
It was a short and enjoyable read. I was pleased not to notice any sloppy mistakes or editing, as sometimes happens with ARCs. I will consider purchasing the next part of the story—this one is Book 1 in a series.
The curiosity-provoking title caught my attention, but once I got into reading it turned out the trashcan wasn't really a key feature, and the protagonist Joe's age wasn't crucial to what happened, either.
However, the story was well-told, and interesting. It unfolds by itself without too much meta-explanation. The role of Joe's companion remains unclear, in a good way, i.e. you wonder whether the fox/old man/young girl should be trusted or abandoned, as Mike the taco guy advises. There is also no explanation for the mechanics of the trashcan or why Joe is in it, but I found that a plus; it's not about the how or why, it's about Joe himself and how he deals with things.
There are several moments when Joe acts in irritating ways, but I think this is a result of his doubts re his companion and Mike.
I won't give it 5 stars because in the very end I felt that it doesn't really matter what happens to Joe. Without a spoiler, that probably sounds like the protagonist wasn't a sympathetic character, but that's not the case, he is, but...
It was a short and enjoyable read. I was pleased not to notice any sloppy mistakes or editing, as sometimes happens with ARCs. I will consider purchasing the next part of the story—this one is Book 1 in a series.
December 14, 2025
This was really fun but rough read for me. I usually enjoy rough prose and this definitely had some. Coupled with a very unreliable narrator, a really strange story, lots of action but no clear plot-thread initially, I struggled with this at the beginning. But something told me to read on and I'm very glad I did.
It took me over half the book to realize that the real plot, the real essence of the story was not with all the action but with...(not gonna say). And once I got that, I saw the terrible beauty and horror in it.
This story has some Philip K Dick vibes, especially Palmer Eldritch. It's inter-dimensional multiverse Sci-Fi-horror and Japanese folklore mixed in, and the ride is definitely not smooth but certainly worth it, especially if you're a fan of stories that don't give easy or clean resolutions. Hats off to the author for having the guts to write this. The subtle horror of the situation described really got me good. The weirdness only helped: creating confusion that made it all feel inescapable--even if it made the beginning a bit disorienting. (all part of the craft and intention of this story probably, which means, good work, Mr. Johsnon!)
Would I recommend it? Hell yes. But know that you're in for a wild ride.
It took me over half the book to realize that the real plot, the real essence of the story was not with all the action but with...(not gonna say). And once I got that, I saw the terrible beauty and horror in it.
This story has some Philip K Dick vibes, especially Palmer Eldritch. It's inter-dimensional multiverse Sci-Fi-horror and Japanese folklore mixed in, and the ride is definitely not smooth but certainly worth it, especially if you're a fan of stories that don't give easy or clean resolutions. Hats off to the author for having the guts to write this. The subtle horror of the situation described really got me good. The weirdness only helped: creating confusion that made it all feel inescapable--even if it made the beginning a bit disorienting. (all part of the craft and intention of this story probably, which means, good work, Mr. Johsnon!)
Would I recommend it? Hell yes. But know that you're in for a wild ride.
January 4, 2026
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I love it because it takes me to different worlds; I hate it because they’re so close to my own world yet frequently unrecognizable ... I spent much of my childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Planet Earth, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, but every stop along this journey felt like it was in a different universe. I love it because it makes my mind go in so many directions, but I hate it because I’m never sure which direction we’re going ... I mean, which way is up? Down? Et cetera? What even *is* direction? I love the beginning and middle but hate the end ... except the longer I think about it, I actually don’t. I love that it’s short enough to re-read, which I plan to do, but before that I hate that I’ll need a refresher course in mythology plus a rewatch of “Run Lola Run,” “Groundhog Day,” and probably all six seasons of “Lost” before having an inkling of a chance at some understanding. Okay, fine, you got me; I love it. But I’m tweaking the rating to 4.75 because of occasional grammatical oddities and unique sentence structures ... not sure if some of them slipped by proofreading or intentionally added to the otherworldly ambiance; I’m ambivalent about those. P.S. I’d like a sequel. And/or a prequel. #ReadLocalKS
July 26, 2025
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would! It has a Hitchhiker's Guide meets American Gods cheekiness to it, with maybe a little Fight Club narration sprinkled on top. In my opinion, the writing matches the jump-cut style flashes that Joe (the main character) has due to memory issues (not spoiling anything). Once I got the cadence, it was like a movie in my head. There are chunks of the book that feel more robust, which again, matches with the vibe of the character(s) it's following.
If you enjoy cheeky humor, you'll probably like this series. It was a fun read - finished Book One in two sittings. And now I REALLY want tacos!! Trust me, you'll probably crave tacos or coffee too by the end of it.
NOTE: I read this advanced reader copy via Kindle courtesy of the Book Sirens.
If you enjoy cheeky humor, you'll probably like this series. It was a fun read - finished Book One in two sittings. And now I REALLY want tacos!! Trust me, you'll probably crave tacos or coffee too by the end of it.
NOTE: I read this advanced reader copy via Kindle courtesy of the Book Sirens.
August 2, 2025
Went into this blind, saw the title and thought this is the book for me, and I'm glad I did.
We follow Joe and Nobuyuki on their inter-universal travels, all via a trash can. Happily the book is as strange as the concept sounds, with Joe peaking out from under the trash cans lid every time they jump. Joe isn't always careful, which results in a telling off from Nobuyuki, and a hasty retreat back to the safety of the trash can.
I liked that it's not obvious from the start what is going on, that we find things out at the same time as Joe, and like Joe, aren't sure who to trust.
A really good journey through the universi, looking forward to book 2
I got a copy of this from BookSirens, and this is my honest review
We follow Joe and Nobuyuki on their inter-universal travels, all via a trash can. Happily the book is as strange as the concept sounds, with Joe peaking out from under the trash cans lid every time they jump. Joe isn't always careful, which results in a telling off from Nobuyuki, and a hasty retreat back to the safety of the trash can.
I liked that it's not obvious from the start what is going on, that we find things out at the same time as Joe, and like Joe, aren't sure who to trust.
A really good journey through the universi, looking forward to book 2
I got a copy of this from BookSirens, and this is my honest review
July 31, 2025
Can a book be at once hallucinatory and lyrical? I found this to be the case with William Brian Johnson’s “Middle Aged Man in a Trashcan.” Though this is not a genre I generally read, I found this work to be both philosophical and with an element of mystery. There is a sense of movement, but neither the origin or destination is part of the mix. The journey itself is the adventure. Step out of your comfort zone for a moment and follow Joe on his travels within the multiverse. You will not be disappointed.
August 2, 2025
I loved it! I enjoy a well-written multi a universe story. This is one of the best I've read. The characters are interesting enough that I cared deeply about them. Their actions made sense in that moment. Nothing jarred me out of the narrative I consumed in two bites!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a teacher scoff at "baby readers" who need a story spoon fed to them. Though I've been guilty before, this is NOT for baby-readers. You have to pay attention, and let yourself put the lid on your own trashcan.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a teacher scoff at "baby readers" who need a story spoon fed to them. Though I've been guilty before, this is NOT for baby-readers. You have to pay attention, and let yourself put the lid on your own trashcan.
August 12, 2025
I received this DRC from BookSirens.
I thought this was a fun story. I liked the quirky premise of traveling the multiverse through a garbage bin. The pacing was good. There was also a bit of Japanese folklore thrown in, which I also found interesting. Since this is a short story, I knew that there would be unanswered questions, but the end still felt a bit unsatisfying. I suppose it was a bit Rick & Morty - esque. But still, I would have preferred the ending to tell me a bit more than it did.
I thought this was a fun story. I liked the quirky premise of traveling the multiverse through a garbage bin. The pacing was good. There was also a bit of Japanese folklore thrown in, which I also found interesting. Since this is a short story, I knew that there would be unanswered questions, but the end still felt a bit unsatisfying. I suppose it was a bit Rick & Morty - esque. But still, I would have preferred the ending to tell me a bit more than it did.
Read
October 19, 2025DNF
July 15, 2025
What a beautifully bizarre adventure this was! I thoroughly enjoyed this story; Joe and Yuki balance each other out wonderfully as paired characters, and I found much familiarity within Joe's trepidation upon travelling between realms.
The dialogue between all of the characters, and the building of the relationship that you start seeing as the reader made this very enjoyable. I love how the author uses descriptive comparisons and references to describe the imagery in this book.
Initially, I requested this ARC because of the odd title and context, but I'm honestly very glad I got the chance to read this. This felt reminiscent of Douglas Adams meets The Wild Cards anthology.
Do yourself a favor and check out what's beyond the Trashcan!
The dialogue between all of the characters, and the building of the relationship that you start seeing as the reader made this very enjoyable. I love how the author uses descriptive comparisons and references to describe the imagery in this book.
Initially, I requested this ARC because of the odd title and context, but I'm honestly very glad I got the chance to read this. This felt reminiscent of Douglas Adams meets The Wild Cards anthology.
Do yourself a favor and check out what's beyond the Trashcan!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews