On a Beam of Light

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!

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?

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.

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.