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.