Customer Reviews

On a Beam of Light

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read K-PAX almost a year ago, and enjoyed it very much. In my Amazon review I gave the book 4 stars, and thought at the time that was an accurate reflection of its quality--I prefer to save a 5 star rating for only a very few works, and those of the highest artistic merit. But in the intervening time K-PAX has stayed with me, unlike so much else I've read. Gene Brewer's characters are compelling beyond description, and unique in the world of fiction. The story, a fascinating blend of magical realism and psychiatric case study, delves deeply into the human condition, finding both gentle optimism and harsh reality. In retrospect, K-PAX clearly deserved 5 stars.

On a Beam of Light however, is the second book of a projected trilogy--always a difficult challenge from the writer's perspective. First books start the story, introducing characters and setting the themes and plot; third books bring the story to fruition, usually providing the climax of the entire trilogy. But second books are development and must remain open-ended. Brewer deftly places the reader within the world of his eponymous psychiatrist and the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute without too much awkward recapitulation from the first novel. But necessarily his focus has changed. Rather than concentrate on a further exploration of the character of prot, the personality of the alien from the planet K-PAX, Brewer examines prot's human host personality, Robert Porter. Sensing deeper trauma still than the horrifying events uncovered in the first book, Brewer explores his patient's childhood for an explanation of prot's existence and savant-like abilities and Porter's profound problems. Magical realism abounds here, too, as the reader is kept guessing about prot's Dr. Dolittle-esque ability to talk to animals, his phenomenal restorative powers for his fellow patients, his astronomical astronomical knowledge, and his peculiar ability to move from place to place on the titular beam of light. While K-PAX seemed, for the most part, to resolve its dilemmas in favor of the reality with which we earthlings are most intimately acquainted, On a Beam of Light does no such thing--major questions are left dangling, clearly to be resolved (but which way?) in the next book. I found On a Beam of Light not quite the equal of its predecessor--the revelations of Robert's past seemed rather too horrifyingly commonplace, and the resolution of one of the patient's problems (Lou, a transgendered man) required such a wild oversight on the staff's part that I found it unbelievable--but nonetheless an excellent book. I eagerly await both the trilogy's final novel and the movie of K-PAX.

In the same vein as K-PAX, On a Beam of Light picks up (literally) where the first book left off. The story is of prot--a man who claims to be an extraterrestrial "traveler" from the planet K-PAX--and his sessions with skeptical Dr. Gene Brewer. Brewer's first novel had no chapters; the book merely recounted his sixteen sessions with prot. Session 17 begins this book and until it ends at 32, the reader gets much more of the same. More prot assertions about Earth, more of prot helping psychiatric patients, demonstrating his special abilties, etc.

There is some genuine wisdom within these books. Brewer uses prot, the consumate outsider, to rail against accepted conventions of humankind. For example, prot believes in the sanctity of all life. 'Everyone weeps for the dolphins caught in tuna nets, but no one weeps for the tuna' he asserts. The only worry is that some of these observations get lost in the cloying, holier-than-thou way they're related. The reader learns from prot that every patient just needs to "be listened to" in order to be heard and cured. A fine theory but clearly not that simple. Whether you find prot's attitude tolerable or annoying (many reviewers of the film K-PAX found the latter) will determine your enjoyment of this book. It didn't trouble me.

Picked it up at 3pm. 7pm and I just put it down. Everything but time & tide waited while I read - On A Beam Of Light. K-Pax and Prot once again had me measuring my world with the one Prot calls home. I saw mankind through a porthole with a different view. The story took such unexpected turns- like the characters in the book I await a few more words from prot. I have neighbours waiting for a call that I've finished reading my copy. When is the next one coming out?

This book helps complete the story begun in K-PAX, but the narrator is becoming too wooden and predictable - much like the skeptical characters one finds in THE X-FILES. Having a foil to the phenomena on hand can seem plausible only so long.
Nevertheless, the story is great fun, and one must hand it to Dr. Gene Brewer for his skill at interweaving psychology and science-fiction in an odd and entertaining fashion that never delves into the bathic, but keeps the reader thirsting for more contact with the protagonist - whoever he may be.

On a Beam of Light is the great follow-up to that GGGGGGRRRREEAAT debut novel by Gene Brewer. I'll try not to spoil this too much for everyone, but it is a real thrill and very much worth the five years the readers have been waiting for a sequel. Personally, I don't think you'll have to read K-PAX, the original novel, again before reading On a Beam of Light. The first couple chapters basically rehashes everything that went on the first book (as a concession to first-time readers, I suppose). The characters that so endeared themselves to us the first time around make their short appearances throughout the book, including Howie, Russell, Giselle, and even Chuck and Mrs. A. But it's the return of prot that we've been highly anticipating. And he does not disappoint.

I think I can say that where K-PAX once took us up to the stars, On a Beam of Light takes us back down to earth.

After seeing the movie (I'm a big Kevin Spacey fan) I was very interested in reading 'K-PAX'. I absolutely loved it in every aspect, and I had fortunately had the foresight to buy 'On a Beam of Light' at the same time. OABOL is a little less upbeat I think than the first book. It delves into some darker subject matter, though it also has it's funny an uplifting moments (courtesy of the ever-smart-alecky prot). A must read for anyone who is interested in psychiatric issues or who read K-PAX or saw the movie. I can't wait for the third installment in the trilogy!

I simply loved K-PAX, and so thrilled to learn there is a sequel. I was not disappointed. I hesitate to say too much, since I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Just read it. You won't be sorry. When the film K-PAX is released later this year, go see it. This is a wonderful story, with humor, and poignancy. A delightful read. Gene Brewer is a genius.

+++++

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!!

+++++

I was a bit skeptical when I started to read this book. I thought it might be just a sloppy sequal. Fortunately, I was proved wrong. In fact, it fits right in with the first book, K-PAX.

The story takes place 5 years after the original book, when Prot returns home. All the main characters are back, along with some interesting new ones at the hospital.

Like the last book, this novel leaves you wondering whether or not Prot really was who he said he was, or just a dillusionary effect of multiple personality disorder. In my opinion, the first book is more convincing that Prot is human, but in this one he seems more alien.

Either way, this is a great book that continues the exciting story of Prot from K-PAX.

I've seen the movie "K-PAX" and read the book the film was based on, and now I've read the sequel, "On a Beam of Light". And with all that, I'm still not sure who or what prot actually is. That question only gets more confusing with this sequel about one of the most fascinating literary characters I've ever come across.

My review of "K-PAX" basically described it as a sort of 21st-century religious parable. But having read "Beam" I'm not so sure anymore. Prot's character still shows some religious undertones, but there are some definite science fiction-related mysteries that Brewer poses about him - and you can tell that he's having a lot of fun posing them.

For example, there are at least two instances I can recall in "Beam" where prot somehow crosses from one side of a room to the other in the space of less than a second. To quote him, it's done with mirrors. An old magician's saying, to be sure - but in prot's case I have to wonder. Then there is the comparison of prot's blood workup with that of his "host" (?), Robert Porter. That, plus some other incidents and statements throughout this book, will leave you shaking your head in amazement, wonder, and curiosity. Just who or what is prot?

As in "K-PAX", Brewer portrays himself as the psychiatrist who "treats" prot, and also as in "K-PAX" he maintains that prot is merely an alternate personality of Robert Porter. But he's hard-pressed to retain that belief considering some of the things prot does, or causes to happen.

Brewer's descriptions of the other patients are fascinating on their own, as are most of the other characters in "Beam" - but prot is the main character here, as well as the catalyst for changes in most of the other people he encounters, both inside and outside the hospital.

There's supposed to be a third book about prot, and I look forward to reading it. Perhaps Brewer will answer some of the mysteries he's posed about prot - but I seriously doubt it.