Twenty-four-year-old Aidin, a wealthy socialite and self-proclaimed "club god," lives a magazine life based on decadence and excess that includes drugs, sex, and gourmet food. It's a life based on surfaces in a place where the surface is all that matters. His therapist later describes him as a materialistic drug addict bent on promiscuity with self-esteem and identity issues.One morning, after a night of heavy partying, Aidin awakes completely vacant of any sensation. He can't feel temperature. He can't feel pressure. He can't feel anything. After a near-fatal stint in denial, he seeks the help of Dr. Paradies, a therapist whose methods are far from conventional. She provides him with a new addiction in the form of a life list--a litany of activities to accomplish. As Aidin completes his list, he discovers talents he never knew he possessed, such as the ability to quickly learn new languages, an IQ off the charts, and amazing physical stamina.With these new discoveries, he questions his doctor's intentions. When Aidin digs for the truth, will he slip back into his addictive habits? Or is there truly a conspiracy underway, as he suspects? The answer forces him to make a life-altering decision.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Brandon Tietz is an American-born writer and illustrator. He attended the University of Kansas and currently resides in Kansas City, MO. Out of Touch is his debut novel. Visit him online at www.myspace.com/outoftouchthebook.
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More About the Author
Brandon Tietz was born in Omaha, NE (1982) and raised in Kansas City, KS. He studied illustration and literature at the University of Kansas and deejayed under the stage name Agent Green while in college. Tietz's familiarity with nightlife and his fascination with the socialite lifestyle led him to write, "Out of Touch," (Nov. 2008) a transgressive take on the coming-of-age story in which the main character feels no physical sensation. In 2009, Tietz joined the Chuck Palahniuk Writer's Workshop in which he now serves as one of the moderators. He's currently working on a new book called, "Vanity," a themed anthology of short stories.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting story, but a rip-off of others,
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This review is from: Out of Touch (Paperback)
"Out of Touch" was an interesting read, but nonetheless a Xerox of others transgressive writers. The novel "flips" styles between each chapter as Tietz does his best impressions of Chuck Palahniuk and Bret Easton Ellis, his voice not too unfamiliar if you've read either of the former. I myself was let down a little after hearing quite the rave about the book, as it seems more and more young writers tend self-publish novels while completely disregarding their own style and continually copying those who have already created fresh and exciting reads. I'll be looking forward to Tietz next work once he fixes his major flaws, but for now stick with titles such as "Less Than Zero" or "Invisible Monsters." 3/5 stars.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"If you want to break something correctly, it's best to know everything you can about it.",
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This review is from: Out of Touch (Paperback)
This book is a lot of fun. That's not to say that Aidin's journey should be taken lightly. It's not a comedy, but the author does a stellar job of allowing the reader to sit "shotgun" on the same ride that the main character is taking -the primary example being "the list" that Aidin has to complete in his therapy while confronting the fact that he's lost his ability to experience any physical sensation.
Funny thing, though, because while Aidin may wake up one day to find himself stripped of his ability to "feel," it's safe to say that he lost all "feeling" long before his condition ever kicked in. So our numb and disconnected narrator comes to grips with that fact. You'll hear about the "twist" ending and how it comes out of left field, but not really -and I won't give away that ending of course, but it has to do with a choice that Aidin makes when given an ultimatum. His choice may not make a lot of "moral" sense to some, but this is a guy who's tired of running. He already ran from Himself during the years and events leading up this story, and this is the story of how he learns to face himself and who he is. It can be dark, sad even, but also enlightening and fun for the reader -and that complicated dynamic is what makes Out of Touch such a great read. The writing style is also fun in the fact that it's familiar, and yet brand new -speaking to the "Palahniuk/Ellis" influence. Tietz isn't "imitating" these influences as much as going all out in making them known and giving a certain due -and it's all there -from the airplane going down in the opening scene to the support groups. Think Quentin Tarantino: His influences are not only obvious, but celebrated, played with, and improved upon. It's got a very Modern Feel after all is said and done. It's a fast read, but a great way to spend a short time.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Are You Ready?,
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This review is from: Out of Touch (Paperback)
Warning: You might not be ready for this.
Brandon Tietz is a name familiar from my time at Chuck Palahniuk's website. He's an author, active on the boards, posting excellent short stories. Out of Touch is his debut novel. I see an interview with him on the site. So I write down the name of the book, of the author, hoping to pick it up sometime soon. See if the novel is as good as the stories he's crafting. You want a synopsis? You want me to set up this review? F that, the synopsis is up there. You already know where Aidin comes from; what he's up against. Let's not talk about what it's about. Let's talk about how GOOD it is. The prose has the same sensibilities that attracted me to Chuck Palahniuk--the fierce present tense, the resounding chorus and rhythm of the writing, the nihilistic sheen--a fast, furious read. But this isn't all style--the substance holds up, enhanced by a fearless writer's delivery, pushing at us scenes and thoughts we may not be ready for--coke (not the kind in a red can, either) and booze and dirty bathroom sex. And that's in the first few pages, and to some extent, yeah, we've seen coke and orgies before. But by the time you start connecting Lincoln Logs and terrorist activity and the themes of duality and identity, you realize that the stack of pages in your hands, surrounded by the innocence of Braille and the cute readhead on the cover--it's not what you think it is. This is rocket fuel you've got here. This is a young writer without a filter. He's ready to dose you, raw. And better than that--you can tell he's put the work in to produce writing like this. I don't have to ask him, but I know he's got rejection slips stashed somewhere--a writer's badge of honor. I know he rewrites his ass off. I know he doesn't just write or rewrite--he crafts. It's that feeling of being on a roller coaster--I know I'm in the hands of a professional, I know that the roller coaster is well-crafted and safe and the turns and twists and dips are by design--yet you still raise your hands over your head and scream with glee because maybe, just maybe, you're in danger for real. When I was finished with Out of Touch I knew it was a pretty damn good book. It's one I'm going to recommend, one I'm going to remember--two compliments of the highest order that any reader can bestow--but what really excites me is what's next from Mr. Tietz. Where will he go? What happens when his edge gets sharper, his tools more refined, his life experiences and ideas stacking up just so to fuel his next project? And his next one after that? And after that? So he's a guy I'm keeping an eye on. You should too. And if you are ready--or even if you're not--Out of Touch is a must-read.
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