K-Pax

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

This author can't write, 2007-06-18
This was one of the worst books I've ever read. The only one worse is its sequel. Why did I read them then? Because I saw the movie and was dissatisfied with the ambiguous ending. My husband and I both wanted to know whether "prot" was or wasn't an alien. Otherwise, I'd have never subjected myself to such pulpy drivel. This is awful. The author can't maintain a consistent direction. He doesn't appear to have any idea where the story is going, he just writes it as it pops into his head. He has done a pathetic job researching mental illness, and he creates unrealistic sub-characters and situations. Why this book was made into a movie, I'll never know, but to the credit of the filmmakers, they did a much better job telling the story. Definitely a case where the film is far better (though not great) than the book.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

See the movie instead, 2006-09-01
The book's basic story is excellent but poorly executed. It is preachy, contains unnecessary asides and is altogether un-interesting and uncreative. The makers of the movie, on the other hand, took the book's concept and created a wonderfully engrossing and powerful story. Thank you Hollywood for creating a terrific movie out of a poorly written book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Intelligent novel for intelligent reader., 2006-02-24
Gene Brewer's novel was highly intelligent while at the same time never failing to entertain. I didn't read his three novels until after seeing the movie of the same title, and found, as is usually the case, the book to be so much better. I couldn't put the book down until the last page, only to find that the story wasn't over. If you read this, you will want to take the entire journey. What a ride! Thank you, Dr. Brewer!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Wanna take a ride? , 2005-02-14
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. br / br /All I know is that I could not put his book down, and I would have to give it my strongest recommendation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

captivating, insightful read, 2004-09-05
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 br / br /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. br / br /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 br / br /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.