The Visitor

The Visitor is a unique blend of science fiction, social commentary, and human drama, with dystopian and literary elements. It explores identity, alienation, social and political conditions, and government overreach in our current society from the viewpoint of an outsider--an alien spirit which has replaced that of a human after an automobile accident--or is he really just a human soul affected by a traumatic brain injury?

He wakes up in a different body.

So begins the journey of Ash—short for Pin Asher9919—who awakens on a hospital bed on, he believes, a different planet after an automobile accident took the bodily life of an Earth human named Edward Fleishman. Ash is told he was the victim of a serious brain injury and miraculously recovered from being brain dead in a coma, but Ash feels he knows the truth: his spirit has replaced the distressed spirit of the former Edward Fleishman.

And so Ash's new life on earth begins, complete with a spouse who is a stranger to him, a body he is not sure how to use, a world he must learn to navigate, and a government he can't trust.

SOME REVIEWS:

Original, clever, imaginative, compelling, and a fun, fascinating read from cover to cover, "The Visitor" by Mitchell Waldman is an extraordinary and recommended pick for all dedicated science fiction fans. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "The Visitor" from All Things That Matter Press is also available in a digital book format. -- Midwest Book Review

The Visitor by Mitchell Waldman melds sci-fi with human drama. It also throws in biting commentary of a dystopian nature. That nature is pretty much what is currently unfolding in the U.S. The strong-arm type of arresting and detaining of illegal immigrants in the novel is exactly what is happening in the U.S. right now. The messages in the media that are being constrained by the government in the novel appears to be happening in real life in the U.S. And the unhinged President in the novel, Wolff, parallels a lot of Donald Trump's words and actions. If you like a good story that blends science fiction with human drama with dystopian elements thrown in The Visitor is something you should read. Even if you're a die-hard conservative who aligns with the current U.S. President, this is a good read. It just might get you to think about your choices. -- BVS Reviews

A reflective dystopian sci-fi novel, "The Visitor" by Mitchell Waldman, explores themes of identity and social control through the story of Ash, who perceives himself as an off-world spirit in the body of Edward Fleishman after a life-altering accident. He encounters uncertainty regarding his identity as he wakes up to an unfamiliar spouse and a society enveloped in surveillance. The narrative's tension hinges on whether his experience is an alien possession or a result of neurological trauma, maintaining ambiguity throughout. The novel effectively critiques contemporary life by focusing on the pressures of bureaucracies and "helpful" authorities, transforming mundane interactions into tests of identity and consent. Influences from authors like Orwell and Philip K. Dick resonate through the reflective voice that prioritises characters' inner struggles over dramatic spectacles. . . .Waldman's writing style is steady and introspective, offering a minimalistic worldbuilding approach that invites readers to perceive dystopia through implications rather than overt descriptions. This book appeals to literary-oriented sci-fi enthusiasts drawn to themes of embodiment and memory, seeking a narrative filled with introspection and social critique rather than high-concept action. . . Overall, "The Visitor" is recommended for those who appreciate psychological complexity. -- Book Reviews Cafe 
 

A unique blend of sci-fi and culture-fiction, this is a story unlike you've ever read before. The Visitor by Mitchell Waldman is an emotional thrill ride through otherworldly storytelling. Check out The Visitor if you've been in a place where you want introspection and a change of sci-fi pace. -- Justin Alcala, author of A Dead-End Job