On a Beam of Light
by Dr. Gene Brewer
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dr. Gene BrewerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-02-18
ISBN: 0312982089
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Book Reviews of On a Beam of Light
Book Review: He's from the planet K-PAX. Everyone wants to go there...
Summary: 4 Stars
+++++
This sequel (first published in 2001) to the previous popular novel K-PAX (1995), both authored by Gene Brewer, consists again of sixteen chapters (or "sessions") and has as well a prologue and epilogue. (There is no short glossary as in the previous novel.)
The prot-agonist of this story who calls himself "Prot" (pronounced pr-OAT) "returns" (after a five year absence) from the utopian planet K-PAX (that, according to the previous novel, is in the constellation Lyra) to enter the mind of the catatonic earthling-patient called "Robert Porter" (whose identity was discovered at the end of the previous novel). The setting of this sequel is in the same institution as in the previous novel.
Prot is treated by the same psychiatrist of the previous novel, Dr. Gene Brewer. (Note that the doctor has the same name as the author.) The entire book again is mainly about the interaction and relationship that develops between Prot and Dr. Brewer. However, now there is much more interaction between Dr. Brewer and Robert Porter (who is called "Rob").
The previous novel had Prot with much wit, wisdom, and humor. Prot does not seem to have as much of this in this sequel because more focus is on Rob. However, Prot's wit and wisdom shine through and he gives interesting social commentary when he appears on a television talk show. Here are three examples of what Prot says when he was on that show:
(1) "Why not try living without wars, religion...and the rest for a decade or two? If you don't like it you can always go back to hatred and killing."
(2) "What kind of world [on Earth] is it where violence and war are not only accepted, but your youth are encouraged to practice them? Where your leaders must be constantly guarded against assassination, and airline travellers frisked for weapons? Where every vial of aspirin must be protected against poisoning? Where some of your beings make fortunes [playing] games while others are starving? Where no one believes a single word your governments or your corporations say?"
(3) "Hunting is no sport, it is cold-blooded murder. If you can outwrestle a bear or chase down a rabbit, then you can consider yourself a true sportsman."
Prot still demonstrates certain outworldly abilities and even some of his medical tests are strange. Thus, both Dr. Brewer and the reader are not sure weather Prot is indeed an extraterrestrial or a traumatized human being suffering from "multiple personality disorder."
In this sequel, there is more interest in Rob and the other institutionalized patients. (The reader is introduced to many new and interesting patients.) Prot still has a positive influence on the other patients thus again giving this sequel a certain warmth. (He even has a positive influence on animals.) Through the character of Dr. Brewer, the author reveals and explains certain psychological concepts.
Suspense is created when Prot reveals that he is going back to K-PAX for good but this time he does not tell Dr. Brewer the date and time of his "departure." As well, Prot says that this time he will not bring just one (as in the previous novel) but one hundred of his fellow patients with him back to his utopian world.
By the end, most questions posed in this sequel are answered. However, some are not. In other words, this sequel as in the previous novel ends on an ambiguous note. (Some readers may not find the ending ambiguous.) In fact, the last sentence of this sequel is said by Dr. Brewer and reads as follows: "I still go out at night and look up at the sky, toward the constellation Lyra. And I still wonder..."
Can this sequel be read without reading the previous novel? Yes it is possible. But I would not recommend it. Even though the author Brewer rehashes some of the story from the previous novel in the sequel's prologue and first few chapters, I found that he missed some crucial and interesting information that was needed to fully understand all the finer nuances in this sequel.
This sequel is the second novel in a trilogy. The first novel, as mentioned, was entitled "K-PAX" while the third novel is entitled "K-PAX III: The Worlds of Prot."
In conclusion, this is a good sequel that will hold your attention to the end. As in the first novel, Prot's story will teach the reader about himself/herself!!
+++++
Summary of On a Beam of Light
Five years to the day, almost to the second, after he disappeared form the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute, leaving his host body in a catatonic state, the being known as prot (rhymes with goat) has returned. Now, in sixteen more sessions with psychiatrist Gene Brewer, prot reveals that he has come back to escort a chosen few to his home planet, K-PAX.
K-PAX is an idyllic planet free of the pain and suffering of earth. Prot has incredible insights into how to cure that suffering, and his radical ideas have made him a celebrity. Now, legions of people are longing to follow him home.
But Dr. Brewer has heard it before. Five years ago, he discovered another person buried deep in prot's personality: Robert Porter of Montana. The mystery of Robert's illness and of prot's true origins lie deep within Robert's shattered psyche. Now Dr. Brewer must race against the clock to unlock the secrets of Robert's traumatic past and not only save his patient but maybe humanity.
K-PAX is an idyllic planet free of the pain and suffering of earth. Prot has incredible insights into how to cure that suffering, and his radical ideas have made him a celebrity. Now, legions of people are longing to follow him home.
But Dr. Brewer has heard it before. Five years ago, he discovered another person buried deep in prot's personality: Robert Porter of Montana. The mystery of Robert's illness and of prot's true origins lie deep within Robert's shattered psyche. Now Dr. Brewer must race against the clock to unlock the secrets of Robert's traumatic past and not only save his patient but maybe humanity.
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