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4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
Diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis, fourteen-year-old Aaron Greenburg is paralyzed from head to toe. Doctors believe he is essentially brain dead and unaware of his surroundings, but Aaron is very much aware—trapped in his own mind with no way to communicate.
To cope with his imprisonment, he retreats to an imaginary world called his Mind Palace, but the lines between reality, and time itself, start to blur when he receives a new patient as a roommate—an old, outspoken, Jewish jazz musician, named Solomon.
Filled with witty humor and heart-warming experiences, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination with a hint of nostalgia, a hint of the whimsical unknown, and a wild adventure through modern history.
To cope with his imprisonment, he retreats to an imaginary world called his Mind Palace, but the lines between reality, and time itself, start to blur when he receives a new patient as a roommate—an old, outspoken, Jewish jazz musician, named Solomon.
Filled with witty humor and heart-warming experiences, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination with a hint of nostalgia, a hint of the whimsical unknown, and a wild adventure through modern history.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2016
226 people are currently reading
1342 people want to read
About the author
Johan Twiss
30 books134 followersDear Brilliant Reader,
Thank you for your interest in my books. I am passionate about writing clean science fiction and fantasy stories that are not only exciting, but suitable for tweens, teens and adults alike.
Have a question? Complaint? Want to send me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory? Simply reach out to me at my website at www.johantwiss.com/contact
(I can also tell your future at no extra cost, although gift cards to Cheesecake Factory tend to make the predictions more accurate.)
And if you really want to make my day, please leave a review for my books on Amazon and Goodreads. Your reviews help new readers discover my books, for which I am very thankful.
All the best and happy reading,
Johan
Thank you for your interest in my books. I am passionate about writing clean science fiction and fantasy stories that are not only exciting, but suitable for tweens, teens and adults alike.
Have a question? Complaint? Want to send me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory? Simply reach out to me at my website at www.johantwiss.com/contact
(I can also tell your future at no extra cost, although gift cards to Cheesecake Factory tend to make the predictions more accurate.)
And if you really want to make my day, please leave a review for my books on Amazon and Goodreads. Your reviews help new readers discover my books, for which I am very thankful.
All the best and happy reading,
Johan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
December 9, 2016
I won't add spoilers, so this review can be helpful to those who haven't read it yet, but wow am I happy I could experience some of the awesome surprises at the end. Sometimes reading a book is an experience in and of itself. This book was that for me. And I am a bit changed because of it. Mostly, from the beginning, the characters are what intrigued me. They are distinct and I feel like I know them. The nurse, she sticks with me. She's not a huge character, but wow she is powerful. The story starts inside the mind of a teen who has become completely paralyzed, but his mind is fully active. This whole premise fascinates me. I have looked into the eyes of a teen in a similar situation and wondered, "Can you hear me?" heartbreaking questions like that one are tempered with a good dose of healthy wit and laugh out loud humor. The story amps up with the entrance of a new roommate, an elderly man, suffering from dementia who can hear his thoughts. And then we start having some real fun and the adventure of time travel, history, and a touch of fantasy are all thrown in. Add a little sweet romance and this is my kind of perfect book. I laughed, I certainly cried and I gripped the edges throughout. Thank you for a fantastic journey. This one's worthy of a repeat read.
March 30, 2020
Aaron is paralyzed and assumed to be in a vegetative state. He is living in a nursing home, unable to move or talk. He is thought to be basically brain dead. Unbeknownst to others, however, Aaron can see and hear everything going on around him. His roommate Sol is elderly and has Alzheimer’s, drifting in and out of reality. Sol and Aaron find each other somewhere in that space between consciousness and unconsciousness. Sol is able to hear Aaron’s thoughts and they begin to communicate mentally, Then Aaron finds himself pulled into Sol’s memories, and in those memories Aaron can walk, talk, eat, and interact in daily life. Aaron is taken on adventures in Sol’s life, from the 1920s to the 1980s, and in the process begins to truly live again.
This is a historical drama, taking us to important points in history, but it also reminds us of the richness of the experiences our elderly have lived through and the need to keep those memories alive. I find the author’s idea to have a coma patient connect with an Alzheimer’s patient in that world between worlds absolutely genius. The author is also able to perfectly communicate Aaron’s thoughts as he lies there, unable to move or speak. The moment Sol connects with Aaron is touching and hopeful.
If you love historical fiction, time travel, or stories about medical miracles, you will love this book.
I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens. My review is voluntary.
This is a historical drama, taking us to important points in history, but it also reminds us of the richness of the experiences our elderly have lived through and the need to keep those memories alive. I find the author’s idea to have a coma patient connect with an Alzheimer’s patient in that world between worlds absolutely genius. The author is also able to perfectly communicate Aaron’s thoughts as he lies there, unable to move or speak. The moment Sol connects with Aaron is touching and hopeful.
If you love historical fiction, time travel, or stories about medical miracles, you will love this book.
I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens. My review is voluntary.
January 4, 2017
The two main characters are totally love-able and fun! I loved the complexities of relationships shown throughout the book - it felt real and true.
This is a book I could see my children enjoying as well as my parents.
This is a book I could see my children enjoying as well as my parents.
January 11, 2017
Having read the novel SIM 299 by the same author and really loved it, I was intrigued to see he had released another novel. I couldn’t wait to get started even though this was a bit different than the previous novel. In 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace we follow Aaron, a young boy with a rare form of meningitis. He is paralyzed from head to toe and everyone thinks he’s unable to see or hear what goes on around him. His parents have sent him to be cared for in a sort of retirement home where he spends his days trying to cope with the fact he’s trapped in his own body without any way to communicate. That is until he receives a roommate, an elderly jazz-musician with dementia who for some reason can hear his thoughts. The reader gets to tag along as Aaron learns more about his new friend Solomon’s exciting life and as Aaron begins to break free from his prison.
This story is as much a story of growing up as it is of what life is all about. It’s heartbreaking to imagine what kind of life Aaron must have had before his friend came along. Abandoned and alone, forced to witness the world pass him by without being able to do anything. Reading this novel gave me a lot to think about and I couldn’t stop reading once I got started. I wanted to know what Aaron would do and learn and I wanted him to get better.
Johan Twiss has managed to capture the lives of the two characters in such a great way and they feel so real and genuine to me. You can picture yourself knowing these characters in real life, and I think that is why this story is so good.
Being in Aaron’s situation makes for a bit of a monotone setting for a novel perhaps, he’s trapped in his bed in his room, but the author makes this work so well and not even once do I feel bored about the surrounding. A big part of the book is when the reader gets to tag along into some sort of weird dementia dream that Solomon pulls Aaron into. Here we learn more about Solomon’s early life and it’s most definitely a very exciting one and I love how vivid the settings are described in this part of the story. It’s as if the author himself was present at the events in Solomon’s past.
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware of the fact that a bid part of it would take place in history, or rather show events from around the 40’s and 50’s. I’m far from a fan of history and I have to admit I found these parts to be quite boring, but I can see their place in the story and appreciate them despite my own preferences.
Even if I liked this book, there are a few things that bring down the rating for me. First one being that I totally do not like the ending of the book. I find that we were given so many questions in the end that never got resolved and I was stuck with a big question mark in my mind when I finished. Second thing is that it’s not a particularly memorable book. It was great and all that, but after completing the book it also left my mind (unlike his novel SIM 299 who stuck with me for days after reading).
This story is as much a story of growing up as it is of what life is all about. It’s heartbreaking to imagine what kind of life Aaron must have had before his friend came along. Abandoned and alone, forced to witness the world pass him by without being able to do anything. Reading this novel gave me a lot to think about and I couldn’t stop reading once I got started. I wanted to know what Aaron would do and learn and I wanted him to get better.
Johan Twiss has managed to capture the lives of the two characters in such a great way and they feel so real and genuine to me. You can picture yourself knowing these characters in real life, and I think that is why this story is so good.
Being in Aaron’s situation makes for a bit of a monotone setting for a novel perhaps, he’s trapped in his bed in his room, but the author makes this work so well and not even once do I feel bored about the surrounding. A big part of the book is when the reader gets to tag along into some sort of weird dementia dream that Solomon pulls Aaron into. Here we learn more about Solomon’s early life and it’s most definitely a very exciting one and I love how vivid the settings are described in this part of the story. It’s as if the author himself was present at the events in Solomon’s past.
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware of the fact that a bid part of it would take place in history, or rather show events from around the 40’s and 50’s. I’m far from a fan of history and I have to admit I found these parts to be quite boring, but I can see their place in the story and appreciate them despite my own preferences.
Even if I liked this book, there are a few things that bring down the rating for me. First one being that I totally do not like the ending of the book. I find that we were given so many questions in the end that never got resolved and I was stuck with a big question mark in my mind when I finished. Second thing is that it’s not a particularly memorable book. It was great and all that, but after completing the book it also left my mind (unlike his novel SIM 299 who stuck with me for days after reading).
June 18, 2021
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This book is heartwarming and as beautiful as sad.
Aaron Greenburg cannot move or communicate and it seems he'll be stuck to a bed for the rest of his life on a vegetative state because of a Cryptococcal Meningitis at 12. His parents seem to care about him less and less because of a doctor who told them he was brain dead too, but he's conscious and aware of everything happening and said around him, so he knows they have stopped visiting. One day, he's transferred to an old people's home where he can be taken care of and, after a few months, Solomon arrives. He's an old man suffering from Alzheimer's and will become Aaron's best friend. For one to be ok, the other one must not be.
With elements of magical realism and mixing contemporary times with times in Solomon's life, this beautiful story made me cry, laugh out loud, smile and feel my heart beating fast. It was impossible not to feel close to these relatable characters or care about their journey. They're coherent and logical, make mistakes that make them real and decisions that will shape their lives. This story allows us to realise how intertwined our lives are to those of others, and shows us that every event is whatever you make of it, but certainly bittersweet.
I don't believe in the supernatural, but the idea of the book (don't want to reveal what happens before you read it) is so wholesome that it's impossible not to believe. I actually found myself needing to do so.
History is loyally portrayed and brought even closer, so you can feel it as if taking place next to you, which is hard but necessary to understand its importance.
The writing style makes you fly through it without being simplistic. The sense of humour is spotless and it touched my heart through music too.
I would recommend anybody to read this wonderful book.
This book is heartwarming and as beautiful as sad.
Aaron Greenburg cannot move or communicate and it seems he'll be stuck to a bed for the rest of his life on a vegetative state because of a Cryptococcal Meningitis at 12. His parents seem to care about him less and less because of a doctor who told them he was brain dead too, but he's conscious and aware of everything happening and said around him, so he knows they have stopped visiting. One day, he's transferred to an old people's home where he can be taken care of and, after a few months, Solomon arrives. He's an old man suffering from Alzheimer's and will become Aaron's best friend. For one to be ok, the other one must not be.
With elements of magical realism and mixing contemporary times with times in Solomon's life, this beautiful story made me cry, laugh out loud, smile and feel my heart beating fast. It was impossible not to feel close to these relatable characters or care about their journey. They're coherent and logical, make mistakes that make them real and decisions that will shape their lives. This story allows us to realise how intertwined our lives are to those of others, and shows us that every event is whatever you make of it, but certainly bittersweet.
I don't believe in the supernatural, but the idea of the book (don't want to reveal what happens before you read it) is so wholesome that it's impossible not to believe. I actually found myself needing to do so.
History is loyally portrayed and brought even closer, so you can feel it as if taking place next to you, which is hard but necessary to understand its importance.
The writing style makes you fly through it without being simplistic. The sense of humour is spotless and it touched my heart through music too.
I would recommend anybody to read this wonderful book.
December 13, 2016
I'll start by saying that this isn't the typical genre I read. I'm more of a sci-fi/fantasy type. I didn't expect to enjoy the book anywhere near as much as I did.
I really enjoyed the way the interaction between the two main characters was handled, and the way we got to know both of them through that interaction. This book is all about character development, and does a great job of it.
I really enjoyed the way the interaction between the two main characters was handled, and the way we got to know both of them through that interaction. This book is all about character development, and does a great job of it.
September 6, 2017
“You look like a fella who knows a bit about kindness, forgiveness, and love.”
Author Johan Twiss is a modern day abolitionist who supports the work of anti-human trafficking NGO's worldwide. He is passionate about curbing /stopping human trafficking, writing, speaking, and encouraging others to join in his mission. Of note he also owns the online toy, craft, and handbag store called Playfully Ever After.
The gift of writing a novel about a young lad with a severe brain disease, placed in a nursing home with a roommate who is a demented jazz musician, and being able to make this combination of events and processes humorous and entertaining and touching takes a masterful writer. And gradually we are discovering the depth of talent in Johan Twiss.
The quality of Johan’s prose is polished as he readily shows us in his opening pages – ‘It’s been two years since I received my life sentence of imprisonment. I only know it’s been two years because Mom and Dad came to wish me happy birthday. My mom brushed back my red hair—which was desperately in need of a haircut and approaching the length of long girly hair—and squeezed my hand. She smelled like the flowery lavender laundry detergent she always used, making me miss home even more. “Happy fourteenth birthday, son,” she said softly, still squeezing my hand. I wanted to squeeze back, but couldn’t. I saw the shiny beginnings of a tear form in her blue eyes, but she quickly pulled them back with a blink. “Yeah, happy birthday, Aaron,” Dad said solemnly. The man smelled like chlorine and stood off to the side where I couldn’t see him. He avoided eye contact with me as if I were Medusa and would turn him to stone. In reality, I felt like one of Medusa’s statues—trapped. I learned about Medusa in sixth grade English class. That was over two years ago, and I’ve never been back to school since. I will probably never go back. It’s strange to admit, but I miss school…a lot. I miss having friends, playing sports and reading books. But you know what I miss the most? I miss playing trombone in the jazz band. Now, that was freedom. I didn’t even know what jazz was when the Ygnacio Valley Elementary band director assigned me to play trombone.’’
‘My cruel incarceration is due to the cursed rope swing in the murky waters of Dingleberry Creek. You’d think, with a name like Dingleberry, I would have known better. That’s where I sealed my
fate two years ago. It was a scorching July afternoon in Bradley, California. Never heard of Bradley? Well, you wouldn’t be the first. It was also my last day in Bradley before my family moved from the farmland of central Cal to a city in the Bay Area called Concord. My dad got a new sales job with a pool company, and despite my constant protests, we were moving.’
Once we understand Aaron Greenburg’s life status we meet his roommate - Solomon Felsher whose mind is a scarred as Aaron’s but for different reasons. The interaction is special – ‘We shared conversations, jokes and watched TV together. I learned that Solomon could only hear what I like to call my “conversational thoughts.” These were thoughts that I direct toward others, observations, or questions I asked in my mind, as if I were speaking out loud. But when I kept my thoughts non-conversational, fluid and open, I could keep those thoughts private.’
But complex as the story grows. the outline is as follows: ‘Diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis, a teenage boy is paralyzed from head to toe--trapped in his own mind. To cope with his imprisonment, he retreats to an imaginary world called his Mind Palace, but the lines between reality and time start to blur when he receives a new roommate--an old, outspoken, Jewish jazz musician with dementia.’
Bizarre conditions that cold be sanguine become food for thought and chuckles of laughter. This is a major work by a very fine young author.
Author Johan Twiss is a modern day abolitionist who supports the work of anti-human trafficking NGO's worldwide. He is passionate about curbing /stopping human trafficking, writing, speaking, and encouraging others to join in his mission. Of note he also owns the online toy, craft, and handbag store called Playfully Ever After.
The gift of writing a novel about a young lad with a severe brain disease, placed in a nursing home with a roommate who is a demented jazz musician, and being able to make this combination of events and processes humorous and entertaining and touching takes a masterful writer. And gradually we are discovering the depth of talent in Johan Twiss.
The quality of Johan’s prose is polished as he readily shows us in his opening pages – ‘It’s been two years since I received my life sentence of imprisonment. I only know it’s been two years because Mom and Dad came to wish me happy birthday. My mom brushed back my red hair—which was desperately in need of a haircut and approaching the length of long girly hair—and squeezed my hand. She smelled like the flowery lavender laundry detergent she always used, making me miss home even more. “Happy fourteenth birthday, son,” she said softly, still squeezing my hand. I wanted to squeeze back, but couldn’t. I saw the shiny beginnings of a tear form in her blue eyes, but she quickly pulled them back with a blink. “Yeah, happy birthday, Aaron,” Dad said solemnly. The man smelled like chlorine and stood off to the side where I couldn’t see him. He avoided eye contact with me as if I were Medusa and would turn him to stone. In reality, I felt like one of Medusa’s statues—trapped. I learned about Medusa in sixth grade English class. That was over two years ago, and I’ve never been back to school since. I will probably never go back. It’s strange to admit, but I miss school…a lot. I miss having friends, playing sports and reading books. But you know what I miss the most? I miss playing trombone in the jazz band. Now, that was freedom. I didn’t even know what jazz was when the Ygnacio Valley Elementary band director assigned me to play trombone.’’
‘My cruel incarceration is due to the cursed rope swing in the murky waters of Dingleberry Creek. You’d think, with a name like Dingleberry, I would have known better. That’s where I sealed my
fate two years ago. It was a scorching July afternoon in Bradley, California. Never heard of Bradley? Well, you wouldn’t be the first. It was also my last day in Bradley before my family moved from the farmland of central Cal to a city in the Bay Area called Concord. My dad got a new sales job with a pool company, and despite my constant protests, we were moving.’
Once we understand Aaron Greenburg’s life status we meet his roommate - Solomon Felsher whose mind is a scarred as Aaron’s but for different reasons. The interaction is special – ‘We shared conversations, jokes and watched TV together. I learned that Solomon could only hear what I like to call my “conversational thoughts.” These were thoughts that I direct toward others, observations, or questions I asked in my mind, as if I were speaking out loud. But when I kept my thoughts non-conversational, fluid and open, I could keep those thoughts private.’
But complex as the story grows. the outline is as follows: ‘Diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis, a teenage boy is paralyzed from head to toe--trapped in his own mind. To cope with his imprisonment, he retreats to an imaginary world called his Mind Palace, but the lines between reality and time start to blur when he receives a new roommate--an old, outspoken, Jewish jazz musician with dementia.’
Bizarre conditions that cold be sanguine become food for thought and chuckles of laughter. This is a major work by a very fine young author.
October 11, 2017
As a fairly prolific reviewer who reads almost exclusively Indie Authors, a lot of books cross my Kindle over a year. I can honestly say that many of them are the equal or better of the Legacy Authors' books, but every so often a book appears (often out of the blue) that absolutely speaks, as a reader, beyond my mind and touches my heart and even my soul. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss, is such a book. Unexpectedly, it took me by storm and transported me to a different world, a world that resonated with things and emotions that were as strong to me and as important to me, as I'm sure they were to Twiss.
Fourteen-year-old Aaron Greenburg receives what appears to be a life sentence when he contracts a rare form of meningitis that leaves him totally paralyzed and unable to communicate. The doctors and his parents are convinced that Aaron is a virtual vegetable, unable to interact in any way with the outside world. His parents have given up on Aaron and as he lays unable to move even a muscle, his mind is very much alive and very much active. To Aaron, his life has lost all meaning strapped to a hospital bed, unable to communicate and make the outside world understand that he is very much alive and his brain is still able to function. The intense loneliness and frustration this brings him causes him to create a mind-palace inside his head where he can retreat to whenever the loss of his freedom threatens to overwhelm him. In Aaron's mind palace he is able to move, to talk and to interact. It keeps him sane.
Aaron's life changes forever when an elderly man suffering from the early stages of dementia is moved into his rest-home room to share with him. Soloman Felsher can hear Aaron's thoughts and suddenly Aaron is no longer alone. What follows is a fascinating and wonderful journey, in Aaron's mind palace, through the life of this amazing man, as he and Aaron undertake a tour of the twentieth century, as seen through the eyes of Solomon Felsher.
This is a stunning tale, beautifully told by Twiss. As a reader, I was moved and deeply touched by the depth of the relationship that developed between this elderly man and his teenage friend. This story is chock full of good lessons for life on relationships, happiness, sadness, and many other emotions. Twiss has managed to tell a wonderful story and impart some great life lessons to his readers. What more can an author aspire to?
I take my hat off to Johan Twiss and know that this book - 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is sure to be a strong contender for this year's third annual "Grunter" awards. This is a stunning story and a wonderful read that I cannot recommend enough. A great job, Mr. Twiss.
Fourteen-year-old Aaron Greenburg receives what appears to be a life sentence when he contracts a rare form of meningitis that leaves him totally paralyzed and unable to communicate. The doctors and his parents are convinced that Aaron is a virtual vegetable, unable to interact in any way with the outside world. His parents have given up on Aaron and as he lays unable to move even a muscle, his mind is very much alive and very much active. To Aaron, his life has lost all meaning strapped to a hospital bed, unable to communicate and make the outside world understand that he is very much alive and his brain is still able to function. The intense loneliness and frustration this brings him causes him to create a mind-palace inside his head where he can retreat to whenever the loss of his freedom threatens to overwhelm him. In Aaron's mind palace he is able to move, to talk and to interact. It keeps him sane.
Aaron's life changes forever when an elderly man suffering from the early stages of dementia is moved into his rest-home room to share with him. Soloman Felsher can hear Aaron's thoughts and suddenly Aaron is no longer alone. What follows is a fascinating and wonderful journey, in Aaron's mind palace, through the life of this amazing man, as he and Aaron undertake a tour of the twentieth century, as seen through the eyes of Solomon Felsher.
This is a stunning tale, beautifully told by Twiss. As a reader, I was moved and deeply touched by the depth of the relationship that developed between this elderly man and his teenage friend. This story is chock full of good lessons for life on relationships, happiness, sadness, and many other emotions. Twiss has managed to tell a wonderful story and impart some great life lessons to his readers. What more can an author aspire to?
I take my hat off to Johan Twiss and know that this book - 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is sure to be a strong contender for this year's third annual "Grunter" awards. This is a stunning story and a wonderful read that I cannot recommend enough. A great job, Mr. Twiss.
October 9, 2019
Though this book falls outside of the genres I typically read -- spy novels, police procedurals, mysteries -- I genuinely enjoyed it. I get tired of reading books with flat characters -- a common occurrence in the fiction I read. In contrast, Twiss's book does not suffer from that malady. The author has created two unique protagonists with real depth: Aaron and Solomon. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. As a college history teacher, I also quite liked the flashbacks into Simon's past. Of course, those flashbacks are crucial to the story arc and the close friendship that develops between the main characters, so they are far more than simply historical vignettes.
When I was an undergrad, I took a "Writing Fiction" class. I found it very difficult to create viable plots in the stories I wrote. Because of that experience, I pay close attention to how well authors craft their plots. What I find really striking about the plot of 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is not its depth or sophistication, though it has both aplenty, but rather its creativity. This book is the work of a creative genius. Seriously! I mean, who comes up with plots like these?
I am looking forward to reading other books by Johan Twiss.
When I was an undergrad, I took a "Writing Fiction" class. I found it very difficult to create viable plots in the stories I wrote. Because of that experience, I pay close attention to how well authors craft their plots. What I find really striking about the plot of 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is not its depth or sophistication, though it has both aplenty, but rather its creativity. This book is the work of a creative genius. Seriously! I mean, who comes up with plots like these?
I am looking forward to reading other books by Johan Twiss.
March 27, 2017
4 years trapped in my mind palace
Is this amazing fiction story about a 12 years old boy named Aaron Greenberg. He was a regular adventurous kid that enjoy play with he's friends, until he got sick. Unfortunately to him he got this rare case of Cryptococcal Meningitis that got him paralyzed. His brain was full of activity and he couldn't tell anyone. For the doctors he was good as dead. So without options his parents put him in a Senior Care Center.
So after a while he gets a roommate, a senior man suffering from dementia, Solomon Felsher. For some reason Solomon can hear - loud and clear - Aaron's mind.
This book was a turmoil of emotions to me. Got mixed feelings for this history, couldn't put it down but didn't want to finish, I had tons of questions, sometimes I wish for answers, even though I was afraid to get them.
This is a beautiful book, well researched with great support characters. I fell for every one of them.
I laugh and cry, and just maybe I got to be a better person because of this book. This was inspiring story that teaches to enjoy the journey, I was moved by it.
So this one got a impressive 5 stars.
Is this amazing fiction story about a 12 years old boy named Aaron Greenberg. He was a regular adventurous kid that enjoy play with he's friends, until he got sick. Unfortunately to him he got this rare case of Cryptococcal Meningitis that got him paralyzed. His brain was full of activity and he couldn't tell anyone. For the doctors he was good as dead. So without options his parents put him in a Senior Care Center.
So after a while he gets a roommate, a senior man suffering from dementia, Solomon Felsher. For some reason Solomon can hear - loud and clear - Aaron's mind.
This book was a turmoil of emotions to me. Got mixed feelings for this history, couldn't put it down but didn't want to finish, I had tons of questions, sometimes I wish for answers, even though I was afraid to get them.
This is a beautiful book, well researched with great support characters. I fell for every one of them.
I laugh and cry, and just maybe I got to be a better person because of this book. This was inspiring story that teaches to enjoy the journey, I was moved by it.
So this one got a impressive 5 stars.
April 19, 2017
I was totally into this book
I really enjoyed this book. I worked as a nurse for 30+ years and have taken care of hundreds of patients in comas . I have also heard of locked in syndrome. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like too live like that knowing no one knows you are in there. I read this thinking it was real.
I really enjoyed this book. I worked as a nurse for 30+ years and have taken care of hundreds of patients in comas . I have also heard of locked in syndrome. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like too live like that knowing no one knows you are in there. I read this thinking it was real.
May 26, 2020
Reading is supposed to be fun. It's something I do because I like making new friends, meeting people unlike me, seeing the world through a set of different eyes or seeing the world in a new light. I therefore always choose wisely which ARCs I want to read and which ones not. I actually already had enough ARCs on my plate and then I came across this book. I just had to have it. I had to meet these characters and I had to read their story.
And what a truly special and touching story it is. This was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more and if I hadn't been reading in the living room, I would have cried my eyes out at the very end. The journey of both characters, in opposite directions and yet so connected and together, was just beautifully described. Their friendship seemed realistic and vivid and all their emotions and shared sentiments were wonderfully written.
Although action-wise not much happened in this book, there was a lot happening personality wise. I somehow feel honored that I was allowed to read and witness this. Aaron is an amazing young boy and easy to understand and like. He has something endearing and yet, despite his circumstances, he comes across as a strong willed, intelligent and kind person. Watching him fight to get his life and love back was heartwarming and I was rooting for him, even though he was already amazing in whatever state.
I like how Twiss combined the two illnesses to one story. I liked how he showed the man, slowly losing grip on the here and now, getting pulled back into his mind and memories, being so meaningful and important to the boy, actually at the start of the opposite journey, trapped in his own body and mind. And along the way we learn a lot about history, people, medical processes and the healing power of faith and love.
I want more books like this!
And what a truly special and touching story it is. This was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more and if I hadn't been reading in the living room, I would have cried my eyes out at the very end. The journey of both characters, in opposite directions and yet so connected and together, was just beautifully described. Their friendship seemed realistic and vivid and all their emotions and shared sentiments were wonderfully written.
Although action-wise not much happened in this book, there was a lot happening personality wise. I somehow feel honored that I was allowed to read and witness this. Aaron is an amazing young boy and easy to understand and like. He has something endearing and yet, despite his circumstances, he comes across as a strong willed, intelligent and kind person. Watching him fight to get his life and love back was heartwarming and I was rooting for him, even though he was already amazing in whatever state.
I like how Twiss combined the two illnesses to one story. I liked how he showed the man, slowly losing grip on the here and now, getting pulled back into his mind and memories, being so meaningful and important to the boy, actually at the start of the opposite journey, trapped in his own body and mind. And along the way we learn a lot about history, people, medical processes and the healing power of faith and love.
I want more books like this!
September 7, 2017
I received a copy of this book of this book for review. What follows is an honest review.
All I can say is WOW!.
Johan Twiss has written a second book that has held me interested till the very end. There is no classification for this book. It has ,a little bit of sci-fi, a little bit of psychology, a little bit of fantasy, a little bit of a lot of things. But all that adds up to make a lot of good.
Our hero, Arron has a rare form of meningitis as a young teen, leaving him paralyzed, and unable to move. His doctors think he is brain dead and is moved to a nursing home. If you think this is far fetched, it actually has happened. It is from that real life story that the author came up with the idea for this story.
To keep from going completely insane, Arron creates a world in his mind that he can travel to and do so many things. Only there can he feel complete because no one really treats him like he is alive.
From this life of solitude a room mate is given to him, Solomon, a former jazz musician, who is in his late years, having survived the depression, World War 2 and other events of history. Now in his twilight years he begins to suffer dementia.
So as one is wanting to start his life, one is ending his and reliving his glory days. The interesting thing is that Solomon can talk to Arron. He hears what Arron says in his mind and that is a wonderful thing for Arron, now he can communicate, even if no one believes that they can talk.
To tell you much more gives the story away. But it is a great story, and it is amazing how the author has once again not wasted one word. An interesting thing for me was the whole story was told from Arron's point of view. So much I have read of late has chapters that go back and forth and tell the story, this is all Arron telling the story.
I recommend it for all. I think everyone could get something out of this story. As I said before, not one word is wasted, and all weave together to tell a fantastic story.
All I can say is WOW!.
Johan Twiss has written a second book that has held me interested till the very end. There is no classification for this book. It has ,a little bit of sci-fi, a little bit of psychology, a little bit of fantasy, a little bit of a lot of things. But all that adds up to make a lot of good.
Our hero, Arron has a rare form of meningitis as a young teen, leaving him paralyzed, and unable to move. His doctors think he is brain dead and is moved to a nursing home. If you think this is far fetched, it actually has happened. It is from that real life story that the author came up with the idea for this story.
To keep from going completely insane, Arron creates a world in his mind that he can travel to and do so many things. Only there can he feel complete because no one really treats him like he is alive.
From this life of solitude a room mate is given to him, Solomon, a former jazz musician, who is in his late years, having survived the depression, World War 2 and other events of history. Now in his twilight years he begins to suffer dementia.
So as one is wanting to start his life, one is ending his and reliving his glory days. The interesting thing is that Solomon can talk to Arron. He hears what Arron says in his mind and that is a wonderful thing for Arron, now he can communicate, even if no one believes that they can talk.
To tell you much more gives the story away. But it is a great story, and it is amazing how the author has once again not wasted one word. An interesting thing for me was the whole story was told from Arron's point of view. So much I have read of late has chapters that go back and forth and tell the story, this is all Arron telling the story.
I recommend it for all. I think everyone could get something out of this story. As I said before, not one word is wasted, and all weave together to tell a fantastic story.
December 21, 2016
This book was fun and entertaining, with a pleasant historical aspect that I hadn’t expected, and is appropriate for everyone. The story was pretty engrossing and all the characters were interesting – I finished it in a single day. Very mild spoilers ahead.
The writing was good, and though there seemed to be a few missing words here and there, it did not detract from the story whatsoever. This may be premature to say, but I actually got the feeling that, with a few tweaks for adaptation purposes, the story could make a good movie. Regardless, this was a truly satisfying story, and one I would gladly recommend.
The writing was good, and though there seemed to be a few missing words here and there, it did not detract from the story whatsoever. This may be premature to say, but I actually got the feeling that, with a few tweaks for adaptation purposes, the story could make a good movie. Regardless, this was a truly satisfying story, and one I would gladly recommend.
March 14, 2017
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss is a psychological fantasy science fiction novel. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss follows a fourteen-year-old boy, named Aaron Greenburg, who is diagnosed with a form of meningitis. The rare form of meningitis has left Aaron Greenburg fully paralyzed. The doctors who attend him believe that he is brain dead, but poor Aaron in quite awake, but he is trapped inside his own mind with no way to tell the Doctors. In order to keep his sanity Aaron has been living in his own world inside his mind, which he calls his mind palace.
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss was a book that was both interesting and a bit scary. I found the idea that a person could be thought to be brain dead when they are in fact fully awake to be rather scary. The idea that Aaron is wake, but unable to communicate or interact with anyone outside his head was a bit off-putting. However, I quickly came to enjoy the story and its plot when a new patient, named Solomon, was placed into Aarons room and his mind palace began to change. The mind palace idea reminded me a lot of the Sherlock BBC TV show series with how both Sherlock and Aaron succeeded him creating their own mind palace. Overall, I found the book very interesting to read from both a psychological perspective as well as that of a reader.
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss was a book that was both interesting and a bit scary. I found the idea that a person could be thought to be brain dead when they are in fact fully awake to be rather scary. The idea that Aaron is wake, but unable to communicate or interact with anyone outside his head was a bit off-putting. However, I quickly came to enjoy the story and its plot when a new patient, named Solomon, was placed into Aarons room and his mind palace began to change. The mind palace idea reminded me a lot of the Sherlock BBC TV show series with how both Sherlock and Aaron succeeded him creating their own mind palace. Overall, I found the book very interesting to read from both a psychological perspective as well as that of a reader.
February 1, 2017
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss is a mind-blowing story featuring a powerful storyline and compelling characters. It’s the kind of book to put in the same shelf with Before I Go to Sleepby S. J. Watson. This is a story with great psychological depths, one that explores a great conflict lived within the mind. Trapped in his own mind, everyone, including experts in the medical field things that Aaron is brain dead, that he knows nothing happening around him. But they are way far from the truth, because the protagonist is well aware of his environment, he just can’t communicate. He is in a kind of prison and how he deals with it is the twist in this story, but could there be any coming back from the path he has chosen?
Johan Twiss is a great writer with a special gift for prose and character development. I was completely absorbed by the story as the author took me through the intricate workings of Aaron’s mind and the world it creates — his refuge. This is a gripping, entertaining, intelligently written story that will thrill fans of suspense and psychological thrillers, a coming of age story with a unique psychological take. Highly recommended.
Johan Twiss is a great writer with a special gift for prose and character development. I was completely absorbed by the story as the author took me through the intricate workings of Aaron’s mind and the world it creates — his refuge. This is a gripping, entertaining, intelligently written story that will thrill fans of suspense and psychological thrillers, a coming of age story with a unique psychological take. Highly recommended.
March 24, 2017
I loved how the author wove the modern experiences with Solomon's past. The premise is compelling, and the execution of the plot brings the reader along without confusion. It was always clear when and where the action was taking place, and in this kind of book, that is no little thing. I loved the banter between Solomon and Aaron and how their relationship developed. The story is a wonderful blend of a coming of age story and historical fiction. The timeline of the dream/flashbacks covered my parents' lifetimes and my own, so I found it all very interesting.
I thought about taking off one star because of the need for further editing, but I loved the story too much to do it. I will mention that there are more than a few typos: missing words, etc. The one error I noticed is that Solomon says he is 73 at one point and 65 in another. Both instances were in the present time of the story. Making sure I remembered this correctly did teach me that I can search for words in a book on my Kindle, so that was helpful. The other editing issue is the incorrect use of commas throughout the book. I'm an English teacher, so it bothers me more than it would most people.
I thought about taking off one star because of the need for further editing, but I loved the story too much to do it. I will mention that there are more than a few typos: missing words, etc. The one error I noticed is that Solomon says he is 73 at one point and 65 in another. Both instances were in the present time of the story. Making sure I remembered this correctly did teach me that I can search for words in a book on my Kindle, so that was helpful. The other editing issue is the incorrect use of commas throughout the book. I'm an English teacher, so it bothers me more than it would most people.
November 7, 2017
This is an enchantingly lovely tale that drew me in entirely. (See also: reasons why not to start reading a book on Sunday night with any expectation of a reasonable amount of sleep before work Monday morning.)
A mix of yesterday and today, old and new, set primarily in a nursing home, this tells the story of a teenager (Aaron) trapped in a coma but aware of his surroundings, and an older man (Solomon) with some signs of dementia who can hear and understand the teen. Aaron dream travels with Solomon to relive memories of his life, showing points in time from a much more engaging perspective than a history book. While some have noted it as a sci-fi aspect, it felt more paranormal to me - sometimes faces and people seem to reappear in our lives or feel like they were there before. The suspension of disbelief was so complete that it felt like a natural and reasonable thing to happen, as much as Solomon understanding Aaron's thoughts.
You could overthink it and feel that Aaron was in the coma all along and dreaming the whole thing, but why ruin a good story? The entire book worked as a whole and was completely engaging. I'll be looking for more from this author.
A mix of yesterday and today, old and new, set primarily in a nursing home, this tells the story of a teenager (Aaron) trapped in a coma but aware of his surroundings, and an older man (Solomon) with some signs of dementia who can hear and understand the teen. Aaron dream travels with Solomon to relive memories of his life, showing points in time from a much more engaging perspective than a history book. While some have noted it as a sci-fi aspect, it felt more paranormal to me - sometimes faces and people seem to reappear in our lives or feel like they were there before. The suspension of disbelief was so complete that it felt like a natural and reasonable thing to happen, as much as Solomon understanding Aaron's thoughts.
You could overthink it and feel that Aaron was in the coma all along and dreaming the whole thing, but why ruin a good story? The entire book worked as a whole and was completely engaging. I'll be looking for more from this author.
March 19, 2020
We read this for book club, and it was fine. The actual story does really interesting things--sci-fi meets history. However, I didn't enjoy the execution. A little too sappy and heavy-handed for me. And I think it's mostly a matter of taste. Was the writing masterful? Nope. But would some people love it anyway? Absolutely, and there's nothing wrong with that. Also, there are middle grade and YA books that manage to transcend age--whether you're a kid or an adult doesn't matter because it's just a good book--but I wouldn't say this is one of those books. It feels solidly *for* teens or tweens in a way that didn't really translate to me as an adult. So that age discrepancy might have also been a reason I didn't love it. I might have felt very differently reading it as a 12-year-old.
December 17, 2020
I haven't read a time travel, love story this good since "Somewhere in Time". Exquisitely written, the author immerses you in each character's feelings to such a depth that you become them.
I was Aaron Greenburg, trapped in his lifeless body, madly struggling for human contact. And then I was his roommate, Solomon, an elderly man with dementia, reliving his life.
But the incredible magic of this story lies within the interplay of the lives of all of the characters and the loving, painful, ecstatic and ultimately life changing experiences they share. And the end, oh, the end.
Do yourself a favor and don't put this in your TBR pile. Read it now! You will thank yourself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was Aaron Greenburg, trapped in his lifeless body, madly struggling for human contact. And then I was his roommate, Solomon, an elderly man with dementia, reliving his life.
But the incredible magic of this story lies within the interplay of the lives of all of the characters and the loving, painful, ecstatic and ultimately life changing experiences they share. And the end, oh, the end.
Do yourself a favor and don't put this in your TBR pile. Read it now! You will thank yourself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2017
I don't think five stars are enough for this book. It deserves like 1004884653092661001 stars. It's just that magnificent. I have just finished it so I'm still too emotional to actually write are review, but I couldn't not say this, if you're considering reading this book and not sure if you'll like it, just read it, pick it up and read it. I admit the reason I actually picked it was because of the cover and I'm soooooo glad I did. I wish I were famous so I can tell everybody to read. Guys it good, read it. Please, do yourself a favour and read it.
April 17, 2017
Great read!
I'll admit, I wasn't sure I'd actually be interested in this book since I'm not big on Science Fiction, but it was clean (& free) so I figured, why not?
This was, in fact, a GOODREAD! Solomon and Aaron are a great pair - I found myself thinking about them even while doing housework! The way the storyline weaves drama, history, comedy and Jazz was intriguing and kept me wanting more. I loved it! Thanks Johan- please give us more!!
I'll admit, I wasn't sure I'd actually be interested in this book since I'm not big on Science Fiction, but it was clean (& free) so I figured, why not?
This was, in fact, a GOODREAD! Solomon and Aaron are a great pair - I found myself thinking about them even while doing housework! The way the storyline weaves drama, history, comedy and Jazz was intriguing and kept me wanting more. I loved it! Thanks Johan- please give us more!!
May 28, 2017
This is an amazing story for all ages! Twiss spins the story of Aaron, who is paralyzed from a rare form of meningitis but can magically communicate with his new roommate, Solomon, a retired jazz musician in the early stages of dementia. Their journey together touched my heart and made more vivid the history Solomon witnessed over hi s life. This is an encouraging book that reminds us to appreciate the little things in life.
October 4, 2017
Wow what an amazing story. I'm afraid I can give this book only I've stars because it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's the story of Aaron, a fourteen years old, in coma for the last two years and Solomon, a seventy two years old man suffering from dementia. This book is about friendship, family and love and how all of this can help overcome a very difficult situation. You must definitely read it.
December 13, 2016
Read this twice as a beta reader and loved it. It is a very creative engagement between a paralyzed boy and an elderly man and his granddaughter that is warm, at times exciting (in the flashback's to the man's younger years that the boy is drawn into) and with a surprising and intriguing ending. The author is new but shows great promise with this unique story.
February 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book as I am interested in ideas around consciousness and the interconnectedness of 'souls' or minds. It could be described as 'heartwarming' except that that suggests something a little too staid for this humorous page turner. The book gives a different take on time traveling and some interesting key moments of the history of the twentieth century.
March 5, 2017
Better than I expected
This book is so amazing and written so well. The characters are so deep and for real, believable! I love how history is blended with recent health issues. And the flow of this story went so well. Thank you Johan
This book is so amazing and written so well. The characters are so deep and for real, believable! I love how history is blended with recent health issues. And the flow of this story went so well. Thank you Johan
October 1, 2017
5 stars is not enough... Wow, this is really an amazing story! With great characters, time traveling adventures, love, friendship, and lots more. I couldn't put it down.
A story that really touches you in your heart! At least that is what it did to me...
I received a copy and chose to review it.
A story that really touches you in your heart! At least that is what it did to me...
I received a copy and chose to review it.
January 25, 2018
Really a great read. The ebook version needs a tiny bit more editing but not enough to be distracting, just noticeable. Loved the friendship, loved the history. Super engaging from page one to the last word.
October 16, 2017
Four More Years, Days, Pages
“Sometimes I just wished life could be different”
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
From the get-go, this is way more than four, five stars all the way and normally I don’t start with a rating but this is truly an awesome read. Now I’ve read Johan Twiss’s work before and to be honest I felt somewhat pressured to rank him somewhat high but with this work, I would give the guy more stars if I could, talk about having only seen the tip of the iceberg and I wish more books could be like this, just amazingly wow.
I’m not even sure what to call this genre since the first book of his I read “I AM SLEEPLESS: Sim 299 (Volume 1)” was clearly a sci-fi but with “4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace” if I must compare it to anything it would be Andrew Davidson’s “The Gargoyle” just tuned for a younger demographic but don’t get me wrong, being an adult this book is amazing. Now the author sent me a free copy for an honest review and with my last review, I thought the sci-fi wording was somewhat wonky and while this is clearly a different sort of book, Johan clearly did his research. He even goes into detail about his research which means he is clearly hoping his fans might get him… message received Mr. Twiss and well done.
Usually, I’m one to talk about cliché and not to toot my own horn but I read plenty, I’m no critic but anybody who’s anybody will tell you I know my references but this story is quite unique and original. The rare form of “meningitis” for example, I’m sure most people would have gone straight for comatose but Aaron is quite active for someone that can’t move at all. As he is drawn into his Mind Palace we are drawn into him and as far as moving, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough really.
Is it too soon to mention Solomon the great, Solomon the amazing, how about Solomon the wise, I’m sure the author mentioned King Solomon. Most can only hope for such a life, keeping in mind the joy and pain, sunshine and rain… something from my own memory/mind palace and that’s another thing the music, I swear I can hear it.
“People do this to me all the time. For some reason, they feel compelled to share their life problems and hidden secrets with me. Probably because I’m like a pet dog that can’t talk back. All I can do is sit and listen, even if I don’t want to”
― from Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
You’ll find no, stop me if you’ve heard this from me today, at least not story wise, again I’ve somewhat seen the concept in The Gargoyle, Forrest Gump, and probably a hospital drama here and there but the story is an original and between you and me it beats interesting, truth be told I hate when people call my work interesting. Aaron Greenburg deserves so much more along with Solomon and most of the other characters, some were only bits but you felt for all of them, even Dr. Idiot.
So if you’re still listening how exactly would I sum this up, not that you shouldn’t already be looking this up for yourself… Aaron Greensburg has meningitis which prevents him from moving and speaking, his only respite being his mind palace until he meets Solomon who has the ability to hear Aaron’s mind and opens him up to his own history, from boxing to jazz, to World War II and if you want a trip to Disneyland or should I say Wonderland this is the book for you. My third favorite character has to be Solomon’s granddaughter Sarah, not trying to spoil anything yet but I would like to read more of Aaron’s future, immediate future while the ending itself is awesome.
As for the other characters, there was no waste, each character if only for a few pages was developed and felt so real; unique, original, leaving not a single doubt in my mind. Speaking of the mind, I sort of see Aaron’s mind palace as a video game or at best VR but when he began experiencing Solomon’s dreams and dementia, that was a whole new way to fly, Matrix parallel could be. The story brought out so much in me, can’t say I was much into jazz but my aunt would play her classics on the radio and tell stories here and there about her life sometimes.
Also while the author is being so creative, I like how he puts a bit of himself I mean his own experiences in this and he doesn’t sugarcoat any of it. Well, I take that back but I wished for just a moment to be sixteen again, did I mention how much I adored Aaron and Sarah throughout the story.
“Nothing hurts a man’s ego like hearing a pretty girl talk about all the cute guys she likes. Guys who are not him, that is”
― Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
If you think I’ve oversold this book or you think I just talk too much, five stars and go out and get it because I’ll have to buy a physical copy myself and I’m about to spoil some of it. Is there anything that I don’t like about this book… *crickets chirp*, *tumbleweed drifts by* ahem okay so I’ll save that for the end huh.
The book has several Forrest Gump moments, as Aaron is inserted into pivotal moments in Solomon’s past and it comes out when both JJ and Big Tom compare Aaron to the person that helped Solomon and them as well, mind blown. There are grown women that need to be more like Sarah, I mean come on, a guy that always listens, thinks you’re the most beautiful thing ever, and is willing to do anything, even learn how to talk; a friend of mine and I agree that guys will literally do anything for a pretty girl which makes the ending even more spectacular. There are too many moments between Solomon and Aaron that I enjoyed so maybe another great scene I’ll leave with is the Valentine’s Day dance, so sweet.
Okay, I’m slightly annoyed that now I’m going to have to look up some jazz on Youtube, Blue In Green or how about that Jack Dempsey fight? The idea that I read the first book and was wondering how I was going to spend this title and now I’m stopping myself from typing awesome about a thousand times like doing a term paper in school. Speaking of school, perhaps that’s the only flaw, that ever so slightly I felt like I was reading some historical narrative I suppose but only really comes out at the end as Johan Twiss attempts to explain himself, like telling a joke but then having to explain it, I get it and there is so much he is trying to say and didn’t want to tick off the history buffs.
Five stars anyway but now the bar has been set, the first book he sent was a solid three but I went one higher because… anyway if I become a fan of Johan Twiss, two points is a line, three points a pattern, usually singers have to get me to like five songs, an author has to get five stars but shall I dare call myself a fan? This book hooked me, from start to finish and what higher praise is there that I want a physical copy for my traditional library, anyway I didn’t want Aaron to be stuck like that forever but really Four More Years, Days, Pages.
“Kid, some things in life just are what they are because God allows it to be so. Maybe we’re not meant to know all the answers. Maybe we’re not ready for them yet. Knowing them now won’t change a thing, and trying to figure it out will just take up our time and leave us with more questions. I’m old, and I don’t have much time to waste. I prefer to live life as it comes, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get the answers to my questions after I die”
― Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
“Sometimes I just wished life could be different”
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
From the get-go, this is way more than four, five stars all the way and normally I don’t start with a rating but this is truly an awesome read. Now I’ve read Johan Twiss’s work before and to be honest I felt somewhat pressured to rank him somewhat high but with this work, I would give the guy more stars if I could, talk about having only seen the tip of the iceberg and I wish more books could be like this, just amazingly wow.
I’m not even sure what to call this genre since the first book of his I read “I AM SLEEPLESS: Sim 299 (Volume 1)” was clearly a sci-fi but with “4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace” if I must compare it to anything it would be Andrew Davidson’s “The Gargoyle” just tuned for a younger demographic but don’t get me wrong, being an adult this book is amazing. Now the author sent me a free copy for an honest review and with my last review, I thought the sci-fi wording was somewhat wonky and while this is clearly a different sort of book, Johan clearly did his research. He even goes into detail about his research which means he is clearly hoping his fans might get him… message received Mr. Twiss and well done.
Usually, I’m one to talk about cliché and not to toot my own horn but I read plenty, I’m no critic but anybody who’s anybody will tell you I know my references but this story is quite unique and original. The rare form of “meningitis” for example, I’m sure most people would have gone straight for comatose but Aaron is quite active for someone that can’t move at all. As he is drawn into his Mind Palace we are drawn into him and as far as moving, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough really.
Is it too soon to mention Solomon the great, Solomon the amazing, how about Solomon the wise, I’m sure the author mentioned King Solomon. Most can only hope for such a life, keeping in mind the joy and pain, sunshine and rain… something from my own memory/mind palace and that’s another thing the music, I swear I can hear it.
“People do this to me all the time. For some reason, they feel compelled to share their life problems and hidden secrets with me. Probably because I’m like a pet dog that can’t talk back. All I can do is sit and listen, even if I don’t want to”
― from Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
You’ll find no, stop me if you’ve heard this from me today, at least not story wise, again I’ve somewhat seen the concept in The Gargoyle, Forrest Gump, and probably a hospital drama here and there but the story is an original and between you and me it beats interesting, truth be told I hate when people call my work interesting. Aaron Greenburg deserves so much more along with Solomon and most of the other characters, some were only bits but you felt for all of them, even Dr. Idiot.
So if you’re still listening how exactly would I sum this up, not that you shouldn’t already be looking this up for yourself… Aaron Greensburg has meningitis which prevents him from moving and speaking, his only respite being his mind palace until he meets Solomon who has the ability to hear Aaron’s mind and opens him up to his own history, from boxing to jazz, to World War II and if you want a trip to Disneyland or should I say Wonderland this is the book for you. My third favorite character has to be Solomon’s granddaughter Sarah, not trying to spoil anything yet but I would like to read more of Aaron’s future, immediate future while the ending itself is awesome.
As for the other characters, there was no waste, each character if only for a few pages was developed and felt so real; unique, original, leaving not a single doubt in my mind. Speaking of the mind, I sort of see Aaron’s mind palace as a video game or at best VR but when he began experiencing Solomon’s dreams and dementia, that was a whole new way to fly, Matrix parallel could be. The story brought out so much in me, can’t say I was much into jazz but my aunt would play her classics on the radio and tell stories here and there about her life sometimes.
Also while the author is being so creative, I like how he puts a bit of himself I mean his own experiences in this and he doesn’t sugarcoat any of it. Well, I take that back but I wished for just a moment to be sixteen again, did I mention how much I adored Aaron and Sarah throughout the story.
“Nothing hurts a man’s ego like hearing a pretty girl talk about all the cute guys she likes. Guys who are not him, that is”
― Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
If you think I’ve oversold this book or you think I just talk too much, five stars and go out and get it because I’ll have to buy a physical copy myself and I’m about to spoil some of it. Is there anything that I don’t like about this book… *crickets chirp*, *tumbleweed drifts by* ahem okay so I’ll save that for the end huh.
The book has several Forrest Gump moments, as Aaron is inserted into pivotal moments in Solomon’s past and it comes out when both JJ and Big Tom compare Aaron to the person that helped Solomon and them as well, mind blown. There are grown women that need to be more like Sarah, I mean come on, a guy that always listens, thinks you’re the most beautiful thing ever, and is willing to do anything, even learn how to talk; a friend of mine and I agree that guys will literally do anything for a pretty girl which makes the ending even more spectacular. There are too many moments between Solomon and Aaron that I enjoyed so maybe another great scene I’ll leave with is the Valentine’s Day dance, so sweet.
Okay, I’m slightly annoyed that now I’m going to have to look up some jazz on Youtube, Blue In Green or how about that Jack Dempsey fight? The idea that I read the first book and was wondering how I was going to spend this title and now I’m stopping myself from typing awesome about a thousand times like doing a term paper in school. Speaking of school, perhaps that’s the only flaw, that ever so slightly I felt like I was reading some historical narrative I suppose but only really comes out at the end as Johan Twiss attempts to explain himself, like telling a joke but then having to explain it, I get it and there is so much he is trying to say and didn’t want to tick off the history buffs.
Five stars anyway but now the bar has been set, the first book he sent was a solid three but I went one higher because… anyway if I become a fan of Johan Twiss, two points is a line, three points a pattern, usually singers have to get me to like five songs, an author has to get five stars but shall I dare call myself a fan? This book hooked me, from start to finish and what higher praise is there that I want a physical copy for my traditional library, anyway I didn’t want Aaron to be stuck like that forever but really Four More Years, Days, Pages.
“Kid, some things in life just are what they are because God allows it to be so. Maybe we’re not meant to know all the answers. Maybe we’re not ready for them yet. Knowing them now won’t change a thing, and trying to figure it out will just take up our time and leave us with more questions. I’m old, and I don’t have much time to waste. I prefer to live life as it comes, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get the answers to my questions after I die”
― Johan Twiss, 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace
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