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The Mirror Maze: A Norwegian Man's True Story of Five Years in Mexican Prisons
Tom Brungar grew up in a comfortable Norwegian environment. He became a ski champion for the Norwegian King’s Ski team. He was destined to have the perfect life… with the perfect wife… and the perfect corporate job. But, the pressure of his perfect world… led him to drug abuse… and to a secret life where he was forced to be an international drug courier… captured and imprisoned in Mexico… Tom suffered five years of torture inhumane treatment… and extortion plots… But with the help of psychologist Adriana… he survived to tell his story. This is an incredible account of amazing survival, courage, triumph, overcoming obstacles from the power of the light within and the ability to make the best of situations against all odds. This account is multi-faceted, intertwining Tom’s personal, philosophical and spiritual revelations on a foundation of socio-political issues. It also displays the disregard for the international treaty of human rights regarding torture. The title signifies the “Mirror” he sees himself in and the “Maze” he travels through to arrive at the exit. In a world seemingly without hope, Tom achieves the impossible via amazing perseverance, strength, faith, meditation, self-therapy and transformation of awareness. His good heart, honesty, intelligence, strong ethics, talents and ability to quickly learn the culture and language helps him befriend fellow prisoners and amuse his captors. He also meets and falls in love with Adriana, the prison psychologist, who with the help of the Norwegian embassy obtains his release. The Movie by Michael Z. Gordon of Americana Films based on this book is coming soon ! www.TheMirrorMazeStory.com
174 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 16, 2010
Tom started out as a successful Norwegian businessman. Stress and other factors led him deeper and deeper into a spiral of drugs and alcohol. This path led him to be arrested at a Mexico City airport. Tom spent several years living in the nightmare that was the Mexican prison system. This book is his story.
It's always difficult to review a book that's so near and dear to the person who's written it. You can't really just review the book. You have to review the life that's painted between the pages as well.
I started out reading this thinking of Tom as the typical businessman who gets sucked into drugs and alcohol. We've all heard the story. Things really start changing as Tom spends time in the prison system. The treatment he receives is absolutely appalling. Through letters that Tom personally wrote, we get a glimpse into a different life than most of us can even imagine. No words can do justice to the terror that he lived. Regardless of any crime he may have committed, the punishment was far more than he deserved. It's far more than anyone deserved. This book isn't so much about the punishments and horrors as it is Tom's personal journey. We find him doing everything he can to survive and pursuing a spiritual journey amidst these horrors he's presented with.
This is a heartfelt and compelling book. It's easy to pick up and difficult to put down. For me, it was a difficult read because I had to keep reminding myself that this isn't fiction.
It's always difficult to review a book that's so near and dear to the person who's written it. You can't really just review the book. You have to review the life that's painted between the pages as well.
I started out reading this thinking of Tom as the typical businessman who gets sucked into drugs and alcohol. We've all heard the story. Things really start changing as Tom spends time in the prison system. The treatment he receives is absolutely appalling. Through letters that Tom personally wrote, we get a glimpse into a different life than most of us can even imagine. No words can do justice to the terror that he lived. Regardless of any crime he may have committed, the punishment was far more than he deserved. It's far more than anyone deserved. This book isn't so much about the punishments and horrors as it is Tom's personal journey. We find him doing everything he can to survive and pursuing a spiritual journey amidst these horrors he's presented with.
This is a heartfelt and compelling book. It's easy to pick up and difficult to put down. For me, it was a difficult read because I had to keep reminding myself that this isn't fiction.
May 21, 2018
What is it that makes tales of drug addiction and prison incarceration so fascinating to the average reader? Perhaps it is the fact that none of us wishes to go down that path, and we are just plain curious about those who do. Or perhaps it is that we are inspired by a profound sense of compassion to learn more about those who have decided to dwell on the shadier side of life. Whichever motive it is, The Mirror Maze: A Norwegian Man’s True Story of Five Years in Mexican Prisons During the 1980s should satisfy both desires.
“I am sitting in a peaceful room telling you an intimate story, one I humbly try to explain accurately. Perhaps you know how difficult it is to tell a story through the pen. My drama from that point lasted six years. Now it is over and if this does not lead to anything but personal therapy, the effort is well spent energy. Also, I have an intense hope that you will understand, and feel a need to transmit this message. I am imagining you in front of me right now. We are friends. You have the time to listen and I the time to talk. We will stop the world for a while and live these images, as we go along.” Thus starts the core story of The Mirror Maze, which is the true story of Tom Brungar’s downward spiral into alcohol and drug addiction to ultimately becoming involved with a drug cartel. Once apprehended by the legal forces in play, in order to survive his incarceration, Brungar used his guitar playing and storytelling ability to enable him to endure dehumanizing conditions and prison torture, until his release six years later.
The account is multi-faceted, intertwining accounts of personal transformation and philosophical and spiritual revelations, against a background of sociopolitical issues. The mirror in the title signifies that in which Brungar considered himself, with the maze in the title signifying that through which he had to travel in order to reach the exit from his self-induced nightmare. Since cocaine is often served on a mirror, the significance of using such a symbol will, no doubt, not be lost. Ultimately, the transformation attained by Brungar comes in the form of his realization that “[d]uring an experience like this there is only one who can help you, and that is God.”
Although the style of this work is not as smooth-flowing as one might like it to be, the memoir is well worth reading, and should prove interesting reading for anyone who is interested in the lessons to be learned from drug addiction and the perils of an overly hectic and self-indulgent lifestyle.
“I am sitting in a peaceful room telling you an intimate story, one I humbly try to explain accurately. Perhaps you know how difficult it is to tell a story through the pen. My drama from that point lasted six years. Now it is over and if this does not lead to anything but personal therapy, the effort is well spent energy. Also, I have an intense hope that you will understand, and feel a need to transmit this message. I am imagining you in front of me right now. We are friends. You have the time to listen and I the time to talk. We will stop the world for a while and live these images, as we go along.” Thus starts the core story of The Mirror Maze, which is the true story of Tom Brungar’s downward spiral into alcohol and drug addiction to ultimately becoming involved with a drug cartel. Once apprehended by the legal forces in play, in order to survive his incarceration, Brungar used his guitar playing and storytelling ability to enable him to endure dehumanizing conditions and prison torture, until his release six years later.
The account is multi-faceted, intertwining accounts of personal transformation and philosophical and spiritual revelations, against a background of sociopolitical issues. The mirror in the title signifies that in which Brungar considered himself, with the maze in the title signifying that through which he had to travel in order to reach the exit from his self-induced nightmare. Since cocaine is often served on a mirror, the significance of using such a symbol will, no doubt, not be lost. Ultimately, the transformation attained by Brungar comes in the form of his realization that “[d]uring an experience like this there is only one who can help you, and that is God.”
Although the style of this work is not as smooth-flowing as one might like it to be, the memoir is well worth reading, and should prove interesting reading for anyone who is interested in the lessons to be learned from drug addiction and the perils of an overly hectic and self-indulgent lifestyle.
September 22, 2010
In 1981 Tom Brugnar, a Norwegian Businessman, has an increasing drug problem that ultimately pulls him into an international, cocaine, trafficking operation. He is arrested, along with his partner, at the Mexico City airport, while smuggling cocaine from Peru to California. He then serves five years in a series of Mexicans prisons, where he quickly learns that drug use and corruption are just as rampant among the guards and officials as in the outside world. Prisoners are forced to extortion for humane living conditions. Men are beaten and starved. half of his time is spent in four prisons in Mexico City and remainder on the notorious Islas des Marias- Prison islands.
Imagine coming from a military background and knowing that in order to succeed you had to work. After complete Economic Gymnasium in Norway with his Artium degree and receiving a grant to Colorado Alpine College in the USA, being a well round skier helped Tom Brungar scholastically. He pushed himself, discovered competition was tough, and nothing was free. The end was result was a degree in business.
Now to be so young and have so much success so early. Anyone would want that right? As so Tom thought. He was working for a American Global corporate company that helped distribute vending machines and frozen foods. His eight hour days ended up being until the early morning hours but kept up with it cause he was told it was the fastest way up the corporate chain. His newly wed wife barely saw him since he was always working and led him to his first divorce.
After several years of long hours, travel and a divorce. Tom needed a break. He left his job to take a break for a year in Ibiza. This trip is where his misuse of alcohol and downward spiral all began. He ran into others who were on the same road as him but who partied with bigger cannons, cocaine
Partying adds up to debts and those debts must be paid one way or another. In the end Tom did not have much of a choice. His first time being a carrier on a flight, Tom was sicker than a dog, having the cocaine strapped by his crotch. Going through with drawls from drugs and alcohol. He made his first drop successfully. He vowed never to do this ever again.
Until that one dreaded day he received a phone call back in Ibiza while laying next to his lover. A call that told him, he was either to deliver or die himself. He told them this is the last one ever. Little did he know this was going to be the last one.
While having 2 kilos strapped to him he sees that there are about ten police men standing in various places. As he approaches the front of the line a woman walks up to him explains that she is with the federal police and asked what he is carrying? He bleeps out so quickly, "cocaine." This was all over for Tom Brungar.
This true story was a very intense read for me. When I say intense, I mean in the pain of the daily torture and brutality treatments Tom endured. To think that human beings can be so inhumane to others, especially when the crime they committed was not rape, not murder, was nothing of violence.
I will admit full some part were hard to get through because of everything Tom lived through. Even I know I could not live through that myself with God on my side, but God kept praying. Keeping faith and God in his heart he did in endure it all. The amazing thing about it all which I love. He found love. He has Adriana, hand in hand going on the plane back to Norway with him, which is a prize in its self and all worth it in my eyes.
So all in all. The Mirror Maze is a must read. A reminder that our judicial system is so easy on our criminals, a reminder that our lives is not as bad as we think it is, and just an uplifting read all together. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Pick it up today.
Imagine coming from a military background and knowing that in order to succeed you had to work. After complete Economic Gymnasium in Norway with his Artium degree and receiving a grant to Colorado Alpine College in the USA, being a well round skier helped Tom Brungar scholastically. He pushed himself, discovered competition was tough, and nothing was free. The end was result was a degree in business.
Now to be so young and have so much success so early. Anyone would want that right? As so Tom thought. He was working for a American Global corporate company that helped distribute vending machines and frozen foods. His eight hour days ended up being until the early morning hours but kept up with it cause he was told it was the fastest way up the corporate chain. His newly wed wife barely saw him since he was always working and led him to his first divorce.
After several years of long hours, travel and a divorce. Tom needed a break. He left his job to take a break for a year in Ibiza. This trip is where his misuse of alcohol and downward spiral all began. He ran into others who were on the same road as him but who partied with bigger cannons, cocaine
Partying adds up to debts and those debts must be paid one way or another. In the end Tom did not have much of a choice. His first time being a carrier on a flight, Tom was sicker than a dog, having the cocaine strapped by his crotch. Going through with drawls from drugs and alcohol. He made his first drop successfully. He vowed never to do this ever again.
Until that one dreaded day he received a phone call back in Ibiza while laying next to his lover. A call that told him, he was either to deliver or die himself. He told them this is the last one ever. Little did he know this was going to be the last one.
While having 2 kilos strapped to him he sees that there are about ten police men standing in various places. As he approaches the front of the line a woman walks up to him explains that she is with the federal police and asked what he is carrying? He bleeps out so quickly, "cocaine." This was all over for Tom Brungar.
This true story was a very intense read for me. When I say intense, I mean in the pain of the daily torture and brutality treatments Tom endured. To think that human beings can be so inhumane to others, especially when the crime they committed was not rape, not murder, was nothing of violence.
I will admit full some part were hard to get through because of everything Tom lived through. Even I know I could not live through that myself with God on my side, but God kept praying. Keeping faith and God in his heart he did in endure it all. The amazing thing about it all which I love. He found love. He has Adriana, hand in hand going on the plane back to Norway with him, which is a prize in its self and all worth it in my eyes.
So all in all. The Mirror Maze is a must read. A reminder that our judicial system is so easy on our criminals, a reminder that our lives is not as bad as we think it is, and just an uplifting read all together. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Pick it up today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews