Four Minutes Past Midnight

Why do parents die? How can it even be allowed to happen? Nicolaus is still only a child and parents shouldn’t die. But on this night in July, nothing is as it should be.

Twelve-year-old Nicolaus watches over his mother’s sick bed alongside his father. It’s nighttime and all is quiet on ward thirty-four as Nicolaus is growing restless. He realizes he can’t stand to just sit around and wait for his mum to die; he needs to get away. In the elevator he sees a button that wasn’t there before. When he presses it, the elevator doors close and transport him to a very different kind of place.

It’s four minutes past midnight when he arrives to the Final station. It’s where everyone goes at some point. Or is it? Somehow, Nicolaus has stopped time two minutes before his mom will die. But what do you do if you discover that you can stop time, and even travel in time? Can you change the past – or the future?

Four Minutes Past Midnight is a unique, heartfelt, and beautiful children’s novel written in a sensitive, warm tone with a sprinkling of subtle humor.

Love from the Netherlands

My children’s book Four minutes past midnight made the list of the top 100 most loved childrens book through all time in the Netherlands, when thousands of adults and children voted in the De Grote Vriendelijke 100. The book can be found as number 47! It is such an incredible honor, and I actually shed a tear of happiness when I got the news. This book, so apart from all else childrens literature, has found readers and love in such distant places.

I almost can not belive it - I am the only Swedish author on the list, besides Astrid Lindgren.

Thank you to my agent Salomonsson, my publisher Kluitman in the Netherlands, the translator Lammie Post-Oostenbrink and the amazing and wonderful illustrator Jeska Verstegen.

Voting and running of the list is organized by the huge reading site Hebban.nl, with more than 330.000 members, together with the national De Grote Vriendelijke podcast. The list of the top 100 list was made public at a big event in Tivoli Vredenburg, and the 500 tickets was sold out in 20 minutes.

readers from the netherlands about the book

A selection of quotes.

Your story really touched my heart. It was the first time ever, tears rolled down my face while reading and illustrating a story. Thank you for writing this incredible book. I couldn’t help thinking it was a very personal story for you as well. I take my hat off to you.

/ Jeskta Verstegen, illustrator of the book in the Netherlands

I don't think I've ever read a more beautiful story about saying goodbye, mourning and letting go, and one that feels so comforting in such an extraordinary way.

5 stars out of 5

/ sheila_hjv_inbooks, Goodreads, Netherlands

From the very first page I had tears in my eyes! What a beautiful, moving story. I completely understand why this book is in first place in the children's book top 40 this month. But not only children, adults should also have read this book.

5 stars out of 5

/ Susan Wijbrandts-Pelk, Goodreads, Netherlands

What a beautiful and compelling book about farewell. Conny Palmkvist knows how to touch me as a reader with just the right words and sentence structure! Lammie Post-Oostenbrink's translation completely sold me on this book. Philosophical with food for thought, because what things would I put right if I had the chance to do so?

5 stars out of 5

/ Nick Kolhek, Netherlands, Goodreads

Sometimes it really isn't easy to write a review. A book for young children from the age of 11 can be so moving that the lump in your throat just won't go away even while you're writing it. And actually I can't say anything other than that this book about twelve-year-old Nicolaus is so beautiful. // It is really a book about letting go and saying goodbye. It is full of wisdom, which I often took the time to read again. One of the most special pieces of wisdom is the word “goosebumps”. “That's what you get when your heart freezes to pieces from all the sadness you carry on your soul.” A children's book that is also very suitable for adults and older youth.

/ from the literature site Boekenbijlage.nl

This is a book that offers comfort and hope. Don't expect an unexpected twist, because some moments are simply irreversible. Things are simply not more beautiful than they are, but you can influence the way you deal with them. And sometimes you even have the opportunity to use that experience to help others. A wonderful book that you should not miss!

5 stars out of 5

/ Rubén Rodriguez da Silva (bookstore review), Netherlands, Libris

This book is heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time. A small book about great feelings that stays with you and resonates. A beautiful book that excels in originality for readers aged 10 and over.

/ hetboekenrijk.com, Netherlands

What a beautiful and sensitive book about saying goodbye to a mother! I read it in one sitting, I simply couldn't put it down. Everything is right about this story, the sentences and the words. And everything is beautiful and sad at the same time in this story.

5 stars out of 5.

/ Pauline, Netherlands, Goodreads

I don't often read a children's book, but with this one I felt like I shouldn't miss it. And rightly so, I say now. What a writer, this Conny Palmkvist. Nothing but love for this beautiful and heart-wrenching story!

/ PollyEvaHatloy, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

This beautiful children's book is just as good for adults. // The story of Nicolaus who wants to correct the 'mistakes' he made in the relationship with his mother before her death is heartbreaking, beautiful, sad and recognizable. Who wouldn't want that - to solve everything, fix it and hopefully change the future. In his various attempts he always chooses different moments to return to. We as readers receive tips. At the end of the story, it turns out that they are not just about time travel - but about life itself.

Although this book may sound heavy and sad, it is not a book to be afraid of. Above all, it is a book about life, about together, about beautiful moments.

“You are the light, Nicolaus. Or no, you carry the light.”

5 out of 5 stars

/ Saar Steverlinck, Netherlands, GoodReads

The train from four over twelve is an incredible and magical story for everyone from about 9 years and can reliably offer in case of loss. After reading this book I know … ”goose bumps of the heart”, exists.

5 out of 5 stars

/ Je@net, Instagram, Netherlands

An incredibly moving story about sadness, acceptance, letting go, farewell, pain, grief and love. Very special. I read it in one sitting and really had to shed a tear while reading. What a beautiful book!

/ www.biebmiepje.nl (reading blog)

Moving, heart-warming, beautiful, magical and emotional - all the feels. What a story with life lessons, recommended for young & old! — Rating: 5★

/ lesley.onbookstagram, Instagram, Netherlands

This children's novel is compelling, moving and magical at the same time. I read the book with a smile and a tear. // The story is poetic, comforting and really moving. Highly recommended for young and old, a handle during a sad period.

/ Kinderboeken Journal, Netherlands

A beautiful children's novel, which I read with a smile and a tear. A book full of love and warmth, but also fear and sadness. This is an extremely valuable book for the upper grades about death. I think that regardless of whether or not children encounter death at a young age, this book is very valuable and should be read by every child!

/ juf_ilona, Instagram, Netherlands

The story grabbed me right from the first page. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen and what choices Nicolaus would make. So I read it in one sitting. Thank you @conny_palmkvist and @kluitman for this beautiful book. You gave me goosebumps several times. Wow! What a special and moving story. Also a shout-out to Jeska Verstegen for the beautiful illustrations!

/ jufvangroep3, Instagram, Netherlands

Beautiful! After reading the book in a few hours, I say with tears in my eyes and full of conviction: Beautiful. It is so special how a book can make you empathize with Nicolaus in this way, who is about to lose his mother. The story takes you along in the process of letting go, losing and grieving. Described in an impressive way.

5 out of 5 stars

/ Iris Pethke, Goodreads, Instagram

The theme of grief and loss is beautifully described. It is truly moving to experience such a difficult moment as the death of a parent through the eyes of a child. It is raw, pure and hits hard. The setting of the Last Station is described cinematically, almost like a Miyazaki animation. A truly beautiful image, powerfully detailed. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. // A book that cannot be missing in the classroom or school library, go read this book!

/ jufrigoberta.com/2024/04/04/boekentip-de-trein-van-tien-over-twaalf/

A literary poetic, intense and compelling story about a boy who becomes very aware of life during the impending death of his mother. In his mother's final hours, this boy finds a floor in the hospital called 'the last station'. A place where time can be stopped and where he relives previous events from his life or decides to do something differently. A gripping book about not being able to let go of close loved ones and life in 'in between'.

/ De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast

A mesmerizing story: in short, meaningful sentences you enter the head of Nicolaus, where his despair, sadness and fighting spirit fight each other for progress. Palmkvist, a Swedish author I didn't know yet, writes poetically and dreamily, which is comforting. Recommended for those who are going through a difficult period, the words come in like a poem. This is very beautiful.

4 out of 5 stars

/ maaike-de-vries , Instagram, Netherlands

A beautiful story about saying goodbye and letting go.

/ @lees_tippie, Instagram, Netherlands

What an incredibly beautiful, moving, poignant and beautiful children's novel this is. It really is a book that, after reading it, really leaves me silent for a while. // The Train at Four Past Twelve is an extremely original, beautiful and pure and moving story about saying goodbye, mourning and letting go.

/ Kim Coenen, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

Swedish writer Conny Palmkvist adds a wonderful element that makes the book different from many children's books about death. He takes Nicolaus via the hospital elevator to 'The last station', a place where time stands still and the past comes to life. // A special children's book about saying goodbye and about the time that slips through your fingers, even when you are only twelve.

/ www.jaapleest.nl, Netherlands

Cry cry cry 😭 (in a positive sense, because it was so beautiful).
5 stars out of 5

/ Jonne Heeling, Netherlands, Goodreads

What an incredibly beautiful story this was! // First of all, the book is beautifully written. Although it is simply prose, it reads very poetically because of the beautiful and moving statements about grief and processing that are made and punctuation and design are also used very nicely to insert pauses at the right moments, so that the reader can think about the meaning of the words (believe me, you do). // In short, I absolutely recommend this book. It is really beautiful, important and educational - not only for children, but certainly also for adults.

5 out of 5 stars

/ Nienke Hutten, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

This book is heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time. A small book about great feelings that stays with you and resonates. A beautiful book that excels in originality for readers aged 10 and over.

/ hetboekenrijk, Netherlands, Instagram

… a comforting and hopeful story about grief, in which you become trapped for a moment and which you cannot easily shake off.

/ Trouw, Newspapper, Netherlands

A beautiful children's novel about loss and mourning by the Swedish author Conny Palmkvist, beautifully translated by Lammie Post-Oostenbrink. Add to that the beautiful illustrations on the cover and interior by Jesca Verstegen and you have a gem of a children's book in your hands.

The four past twelve train takes you into the childish experience of grief and loss. Time and again Nicolaus gets the chance to go back in time, until he realizes that an hour in the future might be more valuable. Pure, magical and a raw edge full of emotions. The train at four past twelve reads like a train. ❤️

/joyceweij.nl, Netherlands. Instagram

A moving, poetic book for groups 7 and 8 or older.

/ kilometerslezen, Instagram, Netherlands

Beautiful story about death.

5 out of 5 stars

/ evanderzanden, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

Beautiful book.

4 out of 5 stars.

/ do (whatdoreads), Netherlands, Goodreads

The four past twelve train takes you into the childish experience of grief and loss. Time and again Nicolaus gets the chance to go back in time, until he realizes that an hour in the future might be more valuable. Pure, magical and a raw edge full of emotions. The train at four past twelve reads like a train. ❤️

/ joyceweij.nl, Netherlands, Instagram

A children's book about a heavy theme: accepting that one of your parents dies. The book is well written and really takes the reader into the emotion of the story.

4 stars out 5

/ Geert Bremmer, Netherlands. Goodreads

This book gave me goosebumps and I will recommend it to anyone looking for a book.

/ actafabulaest_, Netherkands, Instagram

'The four-by-twelve train' is a beautifully written children's book, a rollercoaster of a story and a book that leaves you with a lump in your throat all the time. You sympathize enormously with little Nicolaus, but you can also enjoy his childish 'mistakes' in the past and how he deals with this whole situation. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend buying, borrowing, reading or reading aloud!

5 out of 5 stars

/ Demi Stein, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read! The way this book describes loss, letting go and grief from a childish perspective is so impressive! I cried so much reading this book. It hit home in no time, on so many levels! I started annotating, but eventually stopped because I was filling up the entire book!

5 out of 5 stars

/ JuffieInHetGroen, Netherlands, www.hebban.nl

I read this book and what almost never happened to me happened now. I had to cry, it touched me very much... This is an emotional book about losing a parent. It is written from Nicolaus' perspective and therefore comes across as very pure, honest and sincere. The things that go through Nicolaus's mind, his thoughts and his fears, it is truly a beautiful book. And not only for children, but also for adults. Conny Palmkvist has written a beautiful story that, I think, will be useful to many in dealing with loss.

5 out of 5 stars

/ ReadingForTheFunOf.it, Instagram, Netherlands

The story of Nicolaus and his struggle to accept the inevitable is beautifully described. What Nicolaus thinks and does is believable and he shares his emotions honestly and even with some humor. // The Train at Four Past Twelve is a beautifully compelling story about saying goodbye and mourning. An honest and also a comforting story.

/ www.waanenwijs.nl/2024/03/de-trein-van-vier-over-twaalf-conny.html

In my opinion a really beautiful book and very strongly written from the perspective of a 12 year old. This makes it very nice to read aloud, so that children can identify with the character. The subject is sad, but I don't think it's heavy. It is written light-heartedly, with some humor here and there. Highly recommended!

/ leeskracht.boeken, Instagram, Netherlands

Wow ... how Conny has poured grief, sadness and letting go into a beautiful story. It has touched me deeply.

/ Kim, Instagram, Netherlands

Palmkvist writes a beautiful book here about farewell and letting go. Tears from the first pages, because it just comes close. // Highly recommended and suitable for children aged 9 and over.

/Leesknokploeg, Instagram, Netherlands

What a beautiful book about loss and accepting it. Knowing that you are not alone. Tissues may be needed.

5 out of 5 stars

/ Lusanne Stap, Netherlands

What a beautiful and moving story 🤍

/ The Dutch Bookshelp, Danielle, TikTok

Many parents are hesitant about books about dying, while it is of course an essential part of our existence. We think it is important for children to read about saying goodbye and letting go. This moving book is written in an accessible way, takes you into the emotions of Nicolaus and leaves you with comfort and hope.

/ https://indewolken.nl/boekentips-leeftijd-10/

I really like how death and grief are discussed in this book. As adults, we find it very difficult to talk about this with children and quickly get the idea that children do not understand it - because it is a vague and invisible concept. However, I think this book very beautifully shows the emotional aspects of grief through a change in reading pace and the creation of chaos and peace in the text. Although death is not explained, it does show very nicely what it can do to a person emotionally.

/ dauntlesswxzard.reads, Instagram

One of the most beautiful books I have ever read.

/ The Dutch Bookshelp, Nicole, TikTok

I loved this book SO much.

/ Billylest, TikTok

From the first sentences of the book you are completely engrossed in the book. // So beautifully written.

/ joyce.limpens, Tiktok

The writing style is compelling and is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations by @jeska_verstegen. The writer manages to capture the complexity of emotions in an impressive way, especially in the struggle of a twelve-year-old with the impending death of his mother. The story is carefully constructed, the characters are well developed, and the thematic depth makes this book a valuable reading experience for both young and adult readers. I couldn't put the book down and finished it within an hour. A beautiful book to use in the classroom 🤍

/ deklasvanjuf_femke, Instagram, Netherlands

It is truly moving to experience such a difficult moment as the death of a parent through the eyes of a child. It is raw, pure and hits hard. The setting of the Last Station is described cinematically, almost like a Miyazaki animation. A truly beautiful image, powerfully detailed. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. A book that you hope will provide support to children who experience a similar nasty situation. A book that is about the hard side of life but still manages to focus on the small but very important moments. Moments that may seem trivial but will later give us strength to move on.

/ juf_rigoberta, Instagram, Netherlands

Ultimately, 'The Train at Four Past Twelve' is a book that stays with me, because Nicolaus' powerlessness and his enormous sadness are captured so well in words. His sadness became my sadness for a moment and made me want to get on that train myself so that I could ultimately end up in that pub with my father.

/ langlevelezen, Instagram, Netherlands

I am a fan of the writing style of the book. So much is said in simple words, without overly complicated sentence structures:

"Tip 91: When something is chasing you - run from the shadows into the light. Scary things can't handle that."

Marlies Sleger describes it as follows on the cover of the book: "Beautiful youth novel about farewell and letting go" … and she is right!

/ trudie_en_tine_lezen, Instagram, Netherlands

The story thundered in. Close to the skin you despair with Nicolaus, who struggles with the worst sadness. This is a book for everyone from the age of ten. Also for adults. Because you can get courage from it, about saying goodbye and letting go.

/ detribunejunior, Instagram, Netherlands

Especially if you start this book a little unprepared, you will feel a bit raw as you step into the middle of a family drama. Along the way you read how the main character processes the situation and ultimately comes to acceptance.

And that in an imaginative, child-friendly way. It is beautiful.

5 stars out of 5

/ KoenFokkinga, www.hebban.nl, Netherlands

It is a beautiful, intense story! I definitely recommend this book!

4 out of 5 stars

/ Books & Illustrations, www.hebban.nl, Netherlands

Special and exceptionally beautiful. Reads easily.

4 out of 5 stars

/ Josca Punt, www.hebban.nl, Netherlands

A beautiful book about grief, loss, sadness and family. A book that made me shed a tear because I can understand that you want to stop time at such a moment and then it is so beautiful to write a book about it.

Also beautiful how he himself discovers the results of time travel.

A must read!

4 out of 5 stars

/ wij_3_lezen, Goodreads, Netherlands

THE AUTHOR

Conny started writing in his early teens and since his 2005 debut, he has published fourteen books to date. He has received multiple awards for his work, including the Helsingborgs Dagblad’s Cultural Prize, Umeå Short Story Prize and the Selma Prize.
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When he's not writing, Conny works as an editor and literary critic. He has made a documentary film.⁣

More info at Salomonsson Agency.