K-Pax

by Gene Brewer

Book Overview

Psychiatrist Gene Brewer doesn't have a diagnosis for the mysterious new patient who calls himself "prot" (rhymes with goat). But this strange and likeable man cannot be--as he claims--from the planet K-PAX. Or can he? Prot knows facts about space that are confounding the experts. He is soon revealing Dr. Brewer's own deepest pains and most sublime longings. And his tales of K-PAX have other patients competing to go along with him when he heads "home."...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312977026
• ISBN13: 9780312977023
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.3" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Wanna take a ride?

I was first introduced to K-PAX when I saw the movie as few years ago. Right away I was hooked by the movie. The book brings you into a world that is not here or there. Is he (Prot/ Robert Porter) an Alien or just another mentally ill earthling who has a acute knowledge of science? This book was truly fascinating. I can't tell if this is a Science Fiction novel of a medical thriller. All I know is that I could not put his book down, and I would have to give it my strongest recommendation.

captivating, insightful read

When a friend first recommended this book to me, I was a bit apprehensive at what I deemed was a typical alien conspiracy book. Admittedly, the first couple of chapters are kind of dull, but gene brewer soon gets over a rough start to develop an enthralling and thought-provoking story The structure of the book is its strength. The book is essentially little more than a collection of the transcripts of psychiatric seesions dr. brewer has had with "prot". However, within this simple framework, brewer manages to flesh out characters, family, suspense and plot. At the start, its easy to believe that prot is really the alien he claims to be, with his unusual ways and encyclopeadic knowledge of the universe. However, the introduction of an investigative journalist serves to strengthen the case for prpt being a human with a terrible past. the book becomes extremely interesting as prot's fascinatingly charming character and mysterious background are systematically developed. the other mental patients also provide fitting emotional accompaniment to showcase prot's mysterious ways This book is an intriguing and enjoyable read thanks to brewer's clever character interactions and witty humour that serve to uplift an already scintillating exploration of the world of two very different men.

Is he an extraterrestrial? Or is he just on another planet?

+++++ 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 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 go 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 tr

Once you get in to it, you won't put it down!

This a GREAT book. Author Gene Brewer has written this book under such an odd premise; a psychological case study. The story is told from the perspective of the psychologist, Dr. Gene Brewer. The author and main character have the same name. . . I don't know what that's all about. (maybe like how Tony Danza, always plays a "Tony")Well, I have to be honest. I saw the movie first. So, I know that I had a predetermined thought of what was going to happen. So in turn, having seen the film, I thought the book started off very cold. The psychologist, Dr. Brewer, is looking at the character "prot" (rhymes with goat), as delusional. Now, I understand that is how any psychologist would see this. But, nonetheless, it seemed very cold. The "cold" soon subsided and the novel turned around. There were wonderful descriptions of all of the characters. Dr. Brewer's family, prot, and patients in the hospital were are brilliantly detailed. The interactions between prot and his fellow patients were just wonderful. I won't go any further into the story or the characters, I don't want to spoil anything at all, especially if you haven't seen the film.Now, I am by no means a quick reader. It took me about a week to get halfway through this book. But the halfway point is where the book really gets good. After I hit halfway, it took me a whole two hours to finish the rest. I could not put it down. The story had an intensity, perhaps even an urgency that was just infectious. I ate, did laundry, and smoked without putting the book down in that last two hours. It is probably one of the best books I have read. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.epc

Captivating character study and social commentary

I picked this book up and read it in one day, at two sittings. It's an intriguing novel done as a psychiatric case study of the main character, "prot", a homeless man who believes himself to be from the planet K-PAX. The story is a voyage of discovery into prot's character and a social commentary on the ills of our time. Although there are touches of sadness, the overall quality of the book is optimism. I didn't find it as compelling as the other reviewers, although it was certainly enjoyable and well done. I don't see this as a must-read for sci-fi fans at all--it isn't by any means a science fiction novel. Rather, for those of you interested in the human condition and in people; for those of you willing to take a touch of magical realism with your reality, this will be a good read.