The Rider

2020 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist. The word "reincarnation" brings to mind images of former lives full of glory or historical achievements, but is that always the case? 65-year-old Janusz Zalewski finds out firsthand when he wakes up as a newborn with all his memories intact. Janusz now must start life from day one with all the limitations of an infant. The confusion and panic he feels are only the beginning of his struggles as he discovers living can be challenging when one carries an entire existence worth of baggage. Along his journey, Janusz finds out that his reincarnation is not a one-time glitch as he experiences multiple deaths and rebirths. During these lives, Janusz faces issues that push him to the breaking point. His mindset and worldview are challenged continuously. He sees that the way he used to do things doesn't work now, and the opportunities he had in his first life don't apply in his later lives. Struggling for answers, but most of the time, just struggling to survive, Janusz travels through the years unsure of what the future holds or even when it will end.

Janusz Zalewski dies at the age of 65 while taking one of the morning walks he enjoys so much. As he dies, he is not too upset, though; he lived a good life. He married a loving woman, raised healthy children, worked hard, and believed in God. The year is 1915 and the world is already moving too fast for him, so he isn't concerned about not seeing it move even faster. As he takes his last breath, he is excited about reuniting with his wife at the pearly gates--but that doesn't happen. Instead, Janusz wakes up in the body of a newborn with all of his memories and feelings intact. The only thing that is not with him is the ability to move as he once did or even talk. As confusion and panic set in, he realizes this is only the beginning of his struggles. Starting over from scratch with an entire existence worth of baggage will be a challenge that may break him. As the years go on, the struggles only increase. Janusz experiences death again, but this time at a much earlier age. Just as before, he wakes up in the body of a newborn and is devastated to learn that the last instance was not a one-time glitch. Janusz quickly realizes that he is caught in a cycle of dying and starting over again, but always with the consciousness of his first life. Unfortunately, the experiences of his other lives do not fade into oblivion with each new birth; they only add on to the emotional scars he always must carry. During these lives, he discovers that what had worked in previous lives, don't necessarily work in the current life he lives. His mindset and worldview are challenged continuously, and at times he feels his sanity could break. Struggling for answers, but most of the time, just struggling to survive, Janusz travels through the years unsure of what the future holds or even when it will end.

Charles Simpson was born and raised in Michigan but left home at the age of 17 to join the United States Air Force and see the world. He credits his international lifestyle with opening his mind and giving him an appreciation for different cultures. He has lived in Japan, Korea, Italy, Germany, and Turkey and has traveled extensively on five of the continents. Even though he is now retired from active duty, he continues to call the world his home. He is a man of many passions: music, surfing, languages, motorcycles, biking, aviation, and art. Charles currently lives in Hawaii with his wife Jess, who shares his love of travel, and their two Chihuahuas. "The Rider" is his first novel.