K-Pax

Rating:
Summary: Vacuous "feel-good" drivel
Review: "K-PAX" by Gene Brewer is a manipulative and shallow book utterly devoid of surprise, characterization or interest. Although "K-PAX" takes on the guise of a psychological mystery, the only real mystery in evidence is how any publisher could see this novel as anything more than the heartless rip-off it is. Reviewers have dutifully compared Brewer's first book to Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." But the similarity is skin-deep; while Kesey's novel is a classic and genuinely provocative exploration of good vs. evil, Brewer's is an affected and vacuous retelling that simply substitutes a man who may or may not be an extraterrestrial for Kesey's enduring hero. Even Brewer's alien twist bombs horribly: I didn't care if the main character, "prot," was an interstellar tourist or not; I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on to more promising titles (thankfully, "K-PAX" is a short read). If you're into "feel-good" drivel, "K-PAX"--and its inevitable sequel--might be for you. If not, treat yourself to Walter Tevis' brilliant "The Man Who Fell to Earth."

Rating:
Summary: Man From Utopia?
Review: "prot" is a patient at Manhattan Psychiatric Institute. Gene Brewer is his psychiatrist. But "prot" is remarkably well-adjusted, displays no obvious symptoms, and gets along famously with staff and fellow patients. Only one thing--he has a delusion (?) that he is a visitor from a planet named K-Pax--a utopian world with no crime, no violence, no need for laws or government.

Prot is the doctor's most fascinating case. But what exactly is the diagnosis? Is he really a space alien? Delusional? Split personality? And is he really going to depart for K-Pax on a date certain, as he insists? Can Dr. Brewer break through his defenses and find what makes him tick? And if he can, should he? You will just have to read the book to find the answers.

This is one of those novels looking back to the time when psychiatrists actually spent hours talking to their patients, when quirky patients with odd hang-ups spent months or years languishing in psychiatric hospitals, and when it really seemed to matter what the "underlying cause" of a patient's malady might be. Those days are long gone, but the concept lingers on as a cultural myth. So this novel is part of a grand tradition. In this mythic tradition, the patients are often not sick at all, indeed they may have greater wisdom than those who treat them. So it is with "K-Pax" where the enigmatic prot is remarkably helpful to his fellow patients and even staff, in a way the busy psychiatrist can't begin to emulate.

Author Brewer's writing is pedestrian but readable. He has obviously read a lot about psychiatric matters, though his knowledge is clearly second-hand. The story drags a bit, but it raises interesting questions and is worth reading. If you are a fan of those mythic psychiatrists and their mythic hospitals, well, this book might be for you. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Rating:
Summary: Man From Utopia?
Review: "prot" is a patient at Manhattan Psychiatric Institute. Gene Brewer is his psychiatrist. But "prot" is remarkably well-adjusted, displays no obvious symptoms, and gets along famously with staff and fellow patients. Only one thing--he has a delusion (?) that he is a visitor from a planet named K-Pax--a utopian world with no crime, no violence, no need for laws or government.

Prot is the doctor's most fascinating case. But what exactly is the diagnosis? Is he really a space alien? Delusional? Split personality? And is he really going to depart for K-Pax on a date certain, as he insists? Can Dr. Brewer break through his defenses and find what makes him tick? And if he can, should he? You will just have to read the book to find the answers.

This is one of those novels looking back to the time when psychiatrists actually spent hours talking to their patients, when quirky patients with odd hang-ups spent months or years languishing in psychiatric hospitals, and when it really seemed to matter what the "underlying cause" of a patient's malady might be. Those days are long gone, but the concept lingers on as a cultural myth. So this novel is part of a grand tradition. In this mythic tradition, the patients are often not sick at all, indeed they may have greater wisdom than those who treat them. So it is with "K-Pax" where the enigmatic prot is remarkably helpful to his fellow patients and even staff, in a way the busy psychiatrist can't begin to emulate.

Author Brewer's writing is pedestrian but readable. He has obviously read a lot about psychiatric matters, though his knowledge is clearly second-hand. The story drags a bit, but it raises interesting questions and is worth reading. If you are a fan of those mythic psychiatrists and their mythic hospitals, well, this book might be for you. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Rating:
Summary: A Psychological Mystery with a Sci-Fi Twist
Review: +++++

This book (first published in 1995) by Gene Brewer consists of sixteen chapters (or "sessions") and, as well, has a prologue, epilogue, and even a short glossary. It is a novel that is very easy to read and that held my interest right to the end.

The story is about a man who claims to come from the utopian world called K-pax (a planet "about seven thosand light years [away and] in...the constellation Lyra"). This man is the prot-agonist of this story and calls himself "Prot" (pronounced pr-OAT) meaning (on his world) "sojourner" or traveler.

Eventually, Prot ends up in a mental institution and the psychiatrist who treats him is Dr. Gene Brewer. (Notice that the doctor has the same name as the author.) The entire book is mainly about the interaction between Prot and Dr. Brewer.

When reading this novel, you'll find that Prot has wit, humor, and much knowledge (especially in sciences and in philosophy). Dr. Brewer finds Prot quite rational and he later says, "I had never experienced a case like this, one for which I couldn't seem to find any handle."

Dr. Brewer asks his astronomy friends to formulate astronomical questions for Prot. Prot answers all these questions (despite the fact that these answers were known only by a few eminent space scientists). As well, Prot demonstrates certain otherworldly abilities. Thus, both Dr. Brewer and the reader don't know whether Prot is indeed an extraterrestrial or a traumatized human suffering from "hysterical amnesia and delusion."

Prot has a positive influence on all the people he meets especially on Dr. Brewer, his family, and other patients in the institution. This gives the novel a certain warmth and charm. Also, the author Brewer, through his character Prot, offers interesting social commentary. My favorite is in the form of questions: "Is [K-pax] any duller than on Earth? Whose inhabitants spend most of their lives trying to get laid, watching sitcoms on television, and grunting for money?" Through his character of Dr. Brewer, the author reveals and explains certain psychological concepts.

Suspense is created when Prot tells Dr. Brewer that he must eventually return to K-pax. As well, even though all the other patients want to go with him to his utopian world, he promises that only one can come with him. As the announced date of his "departure" approaches, the question asked by Dr. Brewer and his staff is as follows: "What will happen when this day arrives?" As well, the other patients wonder whom Prot will choose to come with him.

By the end of the book, most but not all of the questions posed throughout the novel are answered. In other words, the novel ends on an ambiguous note. (However, some readers may not find the ending ambiguous.) In fact, the last sentence of this novel is by Dr. Brewer and reads: "And sometimes at night I go out and look up at the sky, toward the constellation Lyra, and I wonder..."

Note that this novel is the first in a trilogy. The next novel is entitled "On a Beam of Light" and the last is entitled "K-Pax III: The Worlds of Prot."

Finally, the 2001 movie entitled "K-PAX" is good but not as detailed as the novel. You don't have to read the book first in order to understand the movie. However, if you want to understand the finer nuances of the movie, I recommend reading the novel first.

In conclusion, this is a fascinating novel that will hold your attention to the end. Dr. Brewer states that Prot's story "taught me about myself." I believe that Prot's story will also teach the reader about himself/herself!!

+++++


Rating:
Summary: A Psychological Mystery with a Sci-Fi Twist
Review: =====>

This book (first published in 1995) by Gene Brewer consists of sixteen chapters (or "sessions") and, as well, has a prologue, epilogue, and even a short glossary. It is a novel that is very easy to read and that held my interest right to the end.

The story is about a man who claims to come from the utopian world called K-pax (a planet "about seven thosand light years [away and] in...the constellation Lyra"). This man is the prot-agonist of this story and calls himself "Prot" (pronounced pr-OAT) meaning (on his world) "sojourner" or traveler. (Note that K-paxians "capitalize the names of planets, stars, etc. [for example, 'K-pax' would be 'K-PAX'], but not those of persons [and] countries [for example, 'Prot' would be 'prot']." Since I am not a K-paxian, I will not use this convention for this review.)

Eventually, Prot ends up in a mental institution and the psychiatrist who treats him is Dr. Gene Brewer. (Notice that the doctor has the same name as the author.) The entire book is mainly about the interaction between Prot and Dr. Brewer.

When reading this novel, you'll find that Prot has wit, humor, and much knowledge (especially in sciences like astronomy and physics and in philosophy). Dr. Brewer finds Prot quite rational and he later says, "I had never experienced a case like this, one for which I couldn't seem to find any handle."

Dr. Brewer asks his astronomy friends to formulate astronomical questions for Prot. Prot answers all these questions (despite the fact that these answers were known only by a few eminent space scientists). As well, Prot demonstrates certain otherworldly abilities. Thus, both Dr. Brewer and the reader don't know whether Prot is indeed an extraterrestrial or a traumatized human suffering from "hysterical amnesia and delusion."

Prot has a positive influence on all people he meets especially on Dr. Brewer, his family, and other patients in the institution. This gives the novel a certain warmth and charm. Also, the author Brewer, through his character Prot, offers interesting social commentary. My favorite is in the form of questions: "Is [K-pax] any duller than on Earth? Whose inhabitants spend most of their lives trying to get laid, watching sitcoms on television, and grunting for money?" Through his character of Dr. Brewer, the author reveals and explains certain psychological concepts.

Suspense is created when Prot tells Dr. Brewer that he must eventually return to K-pax. As well, even though all the other patients want to go with him to his utopian world, he promises that only one can come with him. As the announced date of his "departure" approaches, the question asked by Dr. Brewer and his staff is as follows: "What will happen when this day arrives?" As well, the other patients wonder whom Prot will choose to come with him.

By the end of the book, most but not all of the questions posed throughout the novel are answered. In other words, the novel ends on an ambiguous note. (However, some readers may not find the ending ambiguous.) In fact, the last sentence of this novel is by Dr. Brewer and reads: "And sometimes at night I go out and look up at the sky, toward the constellation Lyra, and I wonder..."

Note that this novel is the first in a trilogy. The next novel is entitled "On a Beam of Light" and the last is entitled "K-Pax III: The Worlds of Prot."

Finally, the 2001 movie entitled "K-PAX" is good but not as detailed as the novel. You don't have to read the book first in order to understand the movie. However, if you want to understand the finer nuances of the movie, I recommend reading the novel first.

In conclusion, this is a fascinating novel that will hold your attention to the end. Dr. Brewer states that Prot's story "taught me about myself." I believe that Prot's story will also teach the reader about himself/herself!!

<=====>

Rating:
Summary: A Psychological Mystery with a Sci-Fi Twist
Review: =====>

This book (first published in 1995) by Gene Brewer consists of sixteen chapters (or "sessions") and, as well, has a prologue, epilogue, and even a short glossary. It is a novel that is very easy to read and that held my interest right to the end.

The story is about a man who claims to come from the utopian world called K-pax (a planet "about seven thosand light years [away and] in...the constellation Lyra"). This man is the prot-agonist of this story and calls himself "Prot" (pronounced pr-OAT) meaning (on his world) "sojourner" or traveler. (Note that K-paxians "capitalize the names of planets, stars, etc. [for example, 'K-pax' would be 'K-PAX'], but not those of persons [and] countries [for example, 'Prot' would be 'prot']." Since I am not a K-paxian, I will not use this convention for this review.)

Eventually, Prot ends up in a mental institution and the psychiatrist who treats him is Dr. Gene Brewer. (Notice that the doctor has the same name as the author.) The entire book is mainly about the interaction between Prot and Dr. Brewer.

When reading this novel, you'll find that Prot has wit, humor, and much knowledge (especially in sciences like astronomy and physics and in philosophy). Dr. Brewer finds Prot quite rational and he later says, "I had never experienced a case like this, one for which I couldn't seem to find any handle."

Dr. Brewer asks his astronomy friends to formulate astronomical questions for Prot. Prot answers all these questions (despite the fact that these answers were known only by a few eminent space scientists). As well, Prot demonstrates certain otherworldly abilities. Thus, both Dr. Brewer and the reader don't know whether Prot is indeed an extraterrestrial or a traumatized human suffering from "hysterical amnesia and delusion."

Prot has a positive influence on all people he meets especially on Dr. Brewer, his family, and other patients in the institution. This gives the novel a certain warmth and charm. Also, the author Brewer, through his character Prot, offers interesting social commentary. My favorite is in the form of questions: "Is [K-pax] any duller than on Earth? Whose inhabitants spend most of their lives trying to get laid, watching sitcoms on television, and grunting for money?" Through his character of Dr. Brewer, the author reveals and explains certain psychological concepts.

Suspense is created when Prot tells Dr. Brewer that he must eventually return to K-pax. As well, even though all the other patients want to go with him to his utopian world, he promises that only one can come with him. As the announced date of his "departure" approaches, the question asked by Dr. Brewer and his staff is as follows: "What will happen when this day arrives?" As well, the other patients wonder whom Prot will choose to come with him.

By the end of the book, most but not all of the questions posed throughout the novel are answered. In other words, the novel ends on an ambiguous note. (However, some readers may not find the ending ambiguous.) In fact, the last sentence of this novel is by Dr. Brewer and reads: "And sometimes at night I go out and look up at the sky, toward the constellation Lyra, and I wonder..."

Note that this novel is the first in a trilogy. The next novel is entitled "On a Beam of Light" and the last is entitled "K-Pax III: The Worlds of Prot."

Finally, the 2001 movie entitled "K-PAX" is good but not as detailed as the novel. You don't have to read the book first in order to understand the movie. However, if you want to understand the finer nuances of the movie, I recommend reading the novel first.

In conclusion, this is a fascinating novel that will hold your attention to the end. Dr. Brewer states that Prot's story "taught me about myself." I believe that Prot's story will also teach the reader about himself/herself!!

<=====>

Rating:
Summary: Prot is a wonderful charachter from K-Pax (or is he?)
Review: A highly enjoyable, easy read. I love this book. What has happened to Gene Brewer? More!

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars is nothing when compared to this book....
Review: A truly brilliant read with revelation after revelation, session after session, and wisdom as well as a psychological thriller intertwined with it all.

When Dr Gene Brewer, a psychiatrist at the Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital, gets an unusual patient named "prot" who claims to be from another planet- "K-PAX"- he is skeptical. But when quizzed on the life on K-PAX, the people,its stars,technology, the custom, the food, medicine, sex, education, he is more determined than ever to find whether or not prot is for real.

This is a must read for any lover of Science Fiction or Psychological Thrillers in general. It is soon to be made into a film starring Kevin Spacey as "prot"(rhymes with goat), and Jeff Bridges as Gene Brewer.

Quite honestly, the best novel i have read. A SEQUEL is on the cards and i *hope* this gets published. Any publisher reading this, i would love to hear from you....

Rating:
Summary: A mirror!
Review: Again prot - like in the first book - shows our society and its defects in a merciless mirror. This civilization is doomed because man is an egoistic - therefore destructive - being: he destroys his environment, kills animals and his own kind alike (in wars, in personal conflicts), and as a social being he rather wants to hurt others than live in peace with them, or he is simply indifferent; as a consequence he will destroy if not EARTH, but at least his own kind. This is why the "normal" people should be locked up in psychiatrist institutes, not the people that are now locked up in there, because they were broken by this world and society and reduced to vegetables and autists. I rate this novel a five star novel, not because I agree with its general message in its absolute, or better, radical meaning. But as in the first book the author - or is it prot? - does not try to teach us. He manages to describe the confrontation of ideas and concepts of life (or survival?) in a very humorous way. This makes it easy for us to think about our social and individual defects, and we do not adopt a radical anti-position. Because in some of his statements prot is right after all.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully subtle
Review: An uplifting book just when I needed one. Takes your mind off of war, recession, etc. I can't wait for the movie!