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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Psychological Mystery with a Sci-Fi Twist, April 13 2004
=====>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!! <=====>
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