Former Andover College teacher publishes first book

Martin Simmons, who worked at Andover College for 11 years from 2007 to 2018, has since retired to become a creative writer.

The idea for his first novel was hatched after he heard a radio programme about organ transplants and imagined a time when transplanting a healthy brain into a new and healthy body was medically possible.

He said: "I thought how weird would it be if someone woke up while they were having a transplant."

Martin, who lived in the Andover area for his 11 teaching years now lives in Basingstoke, said he got into writing in his 20s while working as a journalist but put his skills on hold to focus 

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The 67-year-old has now proudly published his book called Brainwaves which takes the readers on a journey across the globe with the lead character who wakes up from a coma, after having a brain transplant.

The readers follow his story as he is left to rediscover exactly who he is.

Talking about the idea Martin said: "Imagine waking up from a coma and finding yourself in a new body. Would all of your mind simply cut and paste? What residual influences would the host body have on how you walk, sit, and eat?

"I think it would be bewildering. What would it take to recover one's sense of identity and self?"

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Martin, who taught health and social care at Andover College, said that the story also has a hint of romance with the main character remembering a vague memory of a woman he once loved.

The readers are left to question whether he will find his true love again. He also wrestles with bewildering dreams and memories to build a picture of the person he used to be until a prescribed stay in the Centre for Consciousness in San Francisco.

The front cover of the book has been designed by Richard Barnfather who currently teaches art at the college making a great 'collaboration".