I was paralyzed—trapped in my own mind. The friendship of a crazy old man was my way out.14-year old Aaron Greenburg is trapped in a vegetative state. He’s awake and aware of everything around him, but the doctors don’t realize it. After being placed in a care facility, he receives a new roommate–an old eccentric jazz musician with dementia. When Aaron talks in his mind to stay sane, the old man … stay sane, the old man hears his thoughts and replies. But no one believes the old man because they think he’s crazy. And when the old man thinks he’s living in the past with his dementia episodes, it pulls Aaron into those moments in time and he gets to experience 1920’s New York City, getting into a scuffle with the mob in a Chicago nightclub, fighting in World War II, and much more as the two develop an unlikely and unique friendship.
4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is a humorous and heartwarming coming-of-age story, entwined with an end-of-age story, that will capture your imagination and renew your faith in the power of friendship.
PRAISE FOR 4 YEARS TRAPPED IN MY MIND PALACE
“A winning tale” — Kirkus Reviews
“Every teen should read this.”— HowDoesShe.com
“I could not put it down. Recommended for all ages.” — ReadersFavorite.com
“Splendid”— San Francisco Review of Books
“Rich storytelling”— WhisperingStories.com
“Best Book of the Year!”— PlayfullyEverAfter.com
“Humorous, entertaining, and touching. A major work by a masterful writer.”— Grady Harp, Amazon.com Hall of Fame Top 500 Reviewer
“One of the most interesting and inspiring books that I’ve read in a long time.”— Heather Monson, editor
“I did not want to turn the last page.”— Jen Johnson, Author of Scarlet
“Captivating”— Kirkus Reviews
“An awesome adventure”— Gooftroop Girl
“Superbly entertaining.”— ReadersFavorite.com
“It is very rarely that I finish a book and want to yell and scream about how much I enjoyed it. WOW!!!!!”— John Around The Corner Reviews
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I bought 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace because of the blurb, and started reading it immediately, which is different for me. If I’d had time, this book would have been read in one sitting. The story kicks in from the first page, there’s no waiting to “get hooked”. The characters are fully fleshed out and I loved them. The storyline is immersive and all-consuming. My favorite part is the relationship between Aaron and Solomon. The author makes the friendship between a young teenager and a seventies man not only work, but he makes it carry the story. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Twiss. This book goes into the “Loved and Will Read Again” shelf.
What an amazing, heartfelt, and emotional read. There wasn’t anything about this one I didn’t enjoy. My absolute favorite parts of this were the interactions between Solomon and Aaron. The Sci-Fi element that links them together is a twist that makes this a very fun read.
I also loved the emotional journey that both Solomon and Aaron have to undergo. Solomon with his ever-present dementia and Aaron with his inability to speak, move, or do anything to show he’s fully aware. That they need each other, while one is slipping away and the other is returning, had me on an emotional roller coaster.
Their journey is filled with all the feels and I loved every second of it. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
Aaron is 12 years old and lives in a nursing home along with old people suffering from dementia or who are otherwise unable to live at home. He’s “locked in” from a case of meningitis and his doctors and parents believe he’s in a vegetative state. It’s not true.
One day an old man moves into the room with him and Aaron has a roommate for the first time. Solomon Felsher has the beginning of Alzheimer’s. He’s old, he’s grumpy, and he’s garrulous. Just the kind of friend Aaron needs.
This book had me hooked by the second page. I read a lot of books and a lot of times I’ll put them down and not pick them back up again for days, weeks, or months. Not this book. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve read a book inside of two days. This is a magical story. The storyline is outrageous, crazy, wild, and my belief was suspended by the second chapter. As much as I’m embarrassed to admit it, every once in awhile I’d cry.
Johan Twiss has a truly unusual imagination and does a beautiful job of telling this story.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an advance copy of this book in return for a fair review.
(4.5 / 5)
Fourteen-year-old Aaron spends two years paralyzed, but still aware of his surroundings. He’s believed to be brain dead, though, and left to his own thoughts during that time. After two years with only his imagination to sustain him, inside of which he created a world he calls his Mind Palace, he gets a new roommate–Solomon, a dementia patient with a colorful history. The next 2 years are the best of Aaron’s life, so far. An unlikely friendship is forged, and neither Aaron nor Solomon will ever be the same.
This is a book that I worry I’m going to have a difficult time reviewing. I really liked it, but it’s hard to explain why without giving anything away. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me cheer, and even moments that made me tear up. It was an interesting conglomeration of historical fiction and fantasy, and I really liked the characters.
Before Solomon moved in, Aaron had to find ways to cope, and he became a bit snarky and sarcastic (in his mind). This led to some humorous observations. And his paralysis led to a similar situation to someone who’s lost a sense, and the way their other senses compensate for that loss. As such, each other character that ever entered Aaron’s room was associated with a specific scent, which carried on throughout the book. I really appreciated this small touch.
The book takes place in the late 80s, and we get to experience some specific points in history, thanks to Solomon. 1920s NYC, the Chicago jazz scene of the 40s, and a night during WWII, amongst other things. Not to mention the first-hand experience of the 1989 earthquake in California.
Considering the name of the book, I thought the Mind Palace was fairly under-represented. In the end, I think it could have been written out of the book and it wouldn’t have made much difference. Partly because of this, and partly because of some comments made in the second half of the book, I expected a vastly different ending. I did like the ending, but was waiting for something more that never happened. That is my only real negative comment.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book, and would highly recommend it for everyone who enjoys historical fiction, as the fantasy aspect is not a detraction whatsoever, and for readers of all ages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sometimes the name of a book or the cover will make me put off reading it – or even refusing. This happened with 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace. Yet, once I began reading, I was captured by the story. Of course it couldn’t happen, yet I believe in this case it did – it’s fantasy in the real world. Ethan’s story is so real, so believable, yet Solomon’s is as well. Two magnificent characters interacting and taking you to real events and places. Being a history lover, I found the trips into Solomon’s past very real, believable, and even wanted to “travel” with him. I recommend this book highly, to teens and above, especially those who love fantasy and have the ability to let themselves believe without questioning too much.
The characters were very interesting. I liked the interactions between the young man and the old man.
Review based on Kindle Unlimited version borrowed on July 8, 2018.
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.