In Heaven As on Earth: A Vision of the Afterlife [Hardcover]

M. Scott Peck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

The author of the best-selling The Road Less Traveled presents a visionary account of the soul's journey in the afterlife, told through the experiences of a fictional psychiatrist who attempts to fulfill his destiny. National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

True to its title, Peck's second novel for adults (after A Bed by the Window) imagines an afterlife which, through a number of set pieces, dramatizes some of the earthly concerns of his other books, including the perpetual bestseller, The Road Less Traveled. Daniel, a psychiatrist and successful author much like Peck himself, awakens in a small green room to discover that he has survived his physical death. Hovering about, disembodied but alert, he meets a pair of "greeters" who inform him that heaven, hell and purgatory?Judeo-Christian ideas pervade the narrative?are governed by a "Principle of Freedom." Each soul projects what it wishes to experience?though sometimes, as with Daniel's green refuge, projections are created by committees in order to ease the "Adjustment" from life to the formlessness of heaven. Peck's hell is a garbage can in which about 140,000 souls hide under rocks, too terrified to accept their freedom to choose a greater reality. In time, Daniel learns that purgatory has to do with clinging to mental and emotional attachments; to help the souls there, the most attentive and loving psychotherapy imaginable is provided. Several further encounters?with his deceased wife, a son, a seductive woman?help Daniel let go of his own attachments until he is ready to join a committee. Though talky and lacking dramatic momentum, this story, more a consoling philosophical vision than a full-bodied novel, should appeal to Peck's readership. Major ad/promo.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Combining the hollow spirituality of Betty Eadie's Embraced by the Light with the shallow mysticism of Deepak Chopra's The Way of the Wizard, Peck's novel follows narrator Daniel Turpin as he journeys from death into the afterlife. Turpin soon discovers that, like a Wal-Mart store, the afterlife has Greeters who welcome him into this new realm and who act as his guides through his initial period of adjustment. Throughout his journey, Daniel moves from one stage of the afterlife to another as his understanding of the spiritual realm gradually increases. More psychotherapy and philosophy than fiction, Peck's novel depends upon tired humor and overworked cliches like "metaphorically speaking" to plod through a dull plot. Not one of Peck's better works, but fans will crave his latest, so most libraries will want at least one copy.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books; 1st edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786862041
• ISBN-13: 978-0786862047
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

M. Scott Peck's publishing history reflects his own evolution as a serious and widely acclaimed writer, thinker, psychiatrist, and spiritual guide. Since his groundbreaking bestseller, The Road Less Traveled, was first published in 1978, his insatiable intellectual curiosity has taken him in various new directions with virtually each new book: the subject of healing human evil in People of the Lie (1982), where he first briefly discussed exorcism and possession; the creative experience of community in The Different Drum (1987); the role of civility in personal relationships and society in A World Waiting to Be Born (1993); an examination of the complexities of life and the paradoxical nature of belief in Further Along the Road Less Traveled (1993); and an exploration of the medical, ethical, and spiritual issues of euthanasia in Denial of the Soul (1999); as well as a novel, a children's book, and other works. A graduate of both Harvard University and Case Western Reserve, Dr. Peck served in the Army Medical Corps before maintaining a private practice in psychiatry. For the last twenty years, he has devoted much of his time and financial resources to the work of the Foundation for Community Encouragement, a nonprofit organization that he helped found in 1984. Dr. Peck lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful solace, September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In Heaven As on Earth: A Vision of the Afterlife (Hardcover)

I happened to read this book while my son was fighting cancer and was in bone marrow treatment. I was struggling with death and afterlife. Dr. Peck's book was heavensent. He offered me a such a delightful comfort in this compassionate vision of afterlife. He offers a wonderful sense of continuity of ourselves.It's heartening to believe all this love we share here is passed and carried on. That we all stay connected at the deepest level of our souls remembering and living the love we share. Best of all, the afterlife Dr. Peck describes is not a panacea or the giant puzzle finally solved, but a continuation of the sweet-sour mystery of life (or afterlife). His message I believe is that we as love-bearers is the best role we can play in this vast mysterious universe. To love enough to pass on, hold on, let go, agonize, yield, accept and to rejoice in the faith and belief we are lovable and loving for eternity.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Different Version of the Afterlife, April 9, 2002

By 

Judith E. Pavluvcik (Dreaming of the beach in Hawaii, but living in the reality of the desert in Arizona!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Heaven As on Earth: A Vision of the Afterlife (Hardcover)

This is the first book by Dr. Peck that I have read, although I have heard of his other books. This is a work of fiction, of Dr. Peck's "imaginary" version of what he thinks the afterlife could be like. I find it hard to objective for the review of this book, as I have read so many books on NDE's and OBE's, that when I finished reading this book, it paled in comparison to the other books that I have read.

Dr. Peck's story revolves around Dr. Daniel Turpin, a psychiatrist, who lies dying from lung cancer with his two children around him. Daniel is able to feel himself leave his body and knows that he has died. While in "heaven" Daniel encounters other spirits, some in purgatory and some in hell. The allegorical "hell" was quite amusing for those souls depicted living in the bottom of trash can, working for Amalgamated Systems!! Daniel is also able to go back to earth to "check-up" on his children and to visit his former residence that he once shared with his beloved wife. Greeters help Daniel with his adjustment to the afterlife and he learns that he cannot interfere with earthly doings, yet he does have freedom of choice.

We experience Daniel's partial review of his life and his thirst to serve God. The Greeters inform Daniel that there are many committees in heaven, if he so wishes to serve. As Daniel comes to terms with the afterlife and his comfort level takes him out of his paradigm, he becomes adventurous and wants to see and experience more.

Even though this is a novel, with all of the information in print and in video of true experiences of the afterlife, this story seemed almost "clinical" to me. It was a very simple story, not at all colorful, and at times boring. Also, when Dr. Peck described Daniel meeting his wife and another son, those meetings, to me, were portrayed as cold, and not at all loving or warm. This lack of love and warmth really bothered me. Dr. Peck's allegorical view was very different, yet he does leave the reader thinking and asking questions. I think also, that readers have to keep in mind that this is a work of fiction.

Dr. Peck does portray love and compassion in the afterlife, with Greeters and others who do assist those souls who are having a hard time adjusting. The patience and love do shine through from those assisting.

This is one of those books where one will either really like it or they won't. It is not a terrible book, just very different with a lack of warmth.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept of the afterlife, November 4, 2004

By 

Jana Taylor (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Heaven As on Earth: A Vision of the Afterlife (Hardcover)

I thought Peck's version of what the afterlife might be like was very original, and interesting. However, I only gave it three stars because the writing did not seem very "inspired". It was written from the perspective of someone who is analytical and not very emotional about his experiences. There were a few parts that I felt were a little awkward, namely the part where Satan gets involved, but even so I still think the book is worth a read. If you are are more interested in the concept then you are in the writing style, I would recommend this book. It's a very quick read.