What Dreams May Come

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Summary: It has never been far from my thoughts in nearly 19 years.
Review: I read this book 19 years ago while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I had time on my hands while waiting to rotate back to the States and my roommate had this book in her collection. I wanted to keep the book very badly after reading it but she wouldn't part with it. I have been trying to find this book all these years but it turns out that I had the title wrong. I thought it was When Dreams May Come. Last night I was watching TV and saw an advertisement for a movie coming out called "What Dreams May Come", This book has affected my life tremendously because after reading it, I believed that this is the way life, death, suicide, reincarnation really is. Whenever I was sad in the last 19 years and even remotely contemplating ending it all, I thought about the book and said "no". Nothing I have learned in the last many years has been able to contradict this book. It is a book of fiction but it could so easily and plausibly be true. I ordered the book today and am very anxious to read it again. I want to read it before I see the movie! I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for answers or has experienced loss.

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Summary: Unforgettable Imagery
Review: I read this book over 10 years ago and I still can't forget the images Matheson painted. The visions of heaven and hell are so intense. I can't imagine them making a movie out of this book, at least not one that lives up to the book. Sometimes imagery in books far surpasses imagery in the movies and I suspect that will be the case here. Read the book before you see the movie!

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Summary: A Ray of hope in the literature of despair
Review: I have just completed "What Dreams May Come" which I came across, quite accidentally, at a local book store. Although I have read extensively about reincarnation and afterlife I had never heard of the book or the author. In fact, I was in therapy with Brian Weiss, M.D. after reading his books about reincarnation. His efforts were kind but I could not "let go", nor find answers to the questions I had about the afterlife. This book, however, is very assertive and direct.

My one criticism is that although Mr. Matheson portrays his story as "fiction" he adds a letter in the beginning of the novel, saying the book is all true except the fictionalized characters. This left me feeling a bit unfinished my self when I read the book. I needed to understand more about him and why he so ardently believes the story he wrote. It would be wonderful to have a dialoogue with the author who remains anonymous, to some extent, because his novel tells the story for him.

I suffered the terrible, tragic, still unexplained loss of my daughter in late 1980, and have spent much time trying to understand the depths amd breadth of that which remains mysterious. And of those tragedies for which we are unprepared. And the strong sense that all these things are occuring as a part of a plan.

More,recently, I have tried to "let go" of my daughter because I had the real sense that prolonged longing and grief were bad for her soul--but how do I know that soul really exists? As a "believer" I seem to be something of a doubter as well...

However, I do not want to paint a grave picture, my life is full of light too, not only tragedy, and fear and grief. I wrote a book call "White Light" before I knew or heard of the phrase in metaphysical terms.

The book, held fascination, it is on the edge of hope if only Mr. Matheson would come forward. However, when I finish this document I am buying it and sending it to two friends: one who lost a son last summer and one who needs to read Mr. Matheson's words.

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Summary: This story has had a haunting ability to stay with me.
Review: I also read this book 15 years ago, and as a psychologist doing therapy around loss and grief, I still refer to some of the themes of this story. After reading it twice because it was so powerful, I decided I wanted to buy it so I could continue to reread it for comfort. To my dismay I could not find it. Now I read the paper today and there is a movie about it and I just knew Amazon would have it and sure enough you did. Thank you for selling me my long lost book.

P.S. Any way to give it 6 stars?

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Summary: A New Perspective on Life & Death!
Review: This will be one of those books that you will never forget. Its been 15 years since I read this title and I've been looking for it for 5 years! Richard Matheson has written a novel that will change whatever your perspective of death is--for the better. It does NOT deal with religion, outer body experiences, or near death experiences. Just a simple story about a man and his wife. Please read it and recommend it to anyone who has experienced a heartbreaking loss in their life. They will forever thank you for letting them see that there is life after death in a beautiful place that should not be feared. You will believe that life is beautiful and death is a continuation of life, in a different world.

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Summary: A very eye-opening novel about life and death
Review: This is my favorite book. I want it to be handed out at my funeral so everyone will know where I am after I die. It confirmed so many thoughts I have had on reincarnation. You will treasure it!

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Summary: Comforting and Thought-Provoking
Review: Having recently struggled with personal confusion; this book was handed to me by my sister (hers is the original hardcopy). Her faith and understanding of the book made it the perfect gift to assist me in finding a sunny road again. I am grateful to the author, and to my ever-wise sister, for expressing something which can be so confusing into a gentle and enlightening experience.

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Summary: Back in Print at long last!
Review: Considered by many to be a classic in the genre, 'What Dreams May Come' has been out of print for almost two decades. Now at long last, it is again availible to delight a new cadre of readers with its wonder. Although billed as a work of fiction/fantasy, this work contains one of the most exhaustive bibliography's regarding life after death ever compiled. Matheson has done his homework. He tears the lid off of the hereafter without taking away any of the surprise or joyr. He manages to present a plausible after life without goring too many sacred cows and will not offend those of any faith who truly wish to learn more about thier belief systems. Compelling, thought-provoking, and just down-right interesting for those of any or no religion. Robin Williams as the Chris character promises to deliver an intriguing film version.

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Summary: An unsentimental love story that transcends time and place
Review: Richard Matheson is one of my favorite authors and I wish he would write more books, as he has slowed his published production in recent years. He has the ability to draw you into a story like only the real masters of fiction can. In my opinion, he is one of the great writers of the 20th century. I got hooked as a teenager in the '60s when I read I Am Legend, one of his best, a vampire novel about post apocalypse earth. What Dreams May Come is summed up by the other reviews you see here. The only story I will tell you is this. I am not the publisher, but I was the head of sales for Tor Books a few months ago and one of my last acts in that position was at a sales conference when the President of Tor, Tom Doherty, turned to me on the dais and whispered to me to tell the sales reps how I felt about this book when it was presented later in that day's program. I was a bit nervous, uncharacteristcally so, as I am comfortable speaking in public, but I was a tad concerned because I was so moved by the story. When the time came, a brief trailer for the upcoming film was shown. I averted my eyes and covered my ears so I wouldn't be affected emotionally, so I could give the kind of stirring, enthusiastic presentation this great book deserves. Well, the trailer was over and the room was silent and in awe of what looks to be one of those rare movies that actually does some justice to the book. I looked up from my notes, took a deep breadth, and the words I had carefully wrote just stuck in my throat. My voice cracked and tears welled up in my eyes, spilling out in rivulets down my cheeks. I was embarassed at the time, but everyone then knew how I felt about this book. Read it, it could change your life.

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Summary: Inspiring and absolutely beautiful
Review: This novel was the first to ever bring tears to my eyes. I had never looked at life (death as well) in the same way before I read this book. I now see life in an absolutely gratifying and beautiful way. Thank you Mr. Matheson!