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K-Pax #2

K-PAX II. On a Beam of Light

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On a Beam of Light is Gene Brewer's brilliant sequel to K-PAX, the novel in which a man called 'prot' (rhyming with goat) claims he is a perfect being from the planet K-PAX - an idyllic world without wars, government or religion. At the Manhattan Institute his psychiatrist is determined to prove that prot's identity is nothing more than a tragic case of multiple-personality disorder. But when people begin to notice prot's peculiar characteristics, many of them start to doubt the diagnosis.

On a Beam of Light is the tale of prot's return to earth and his plan to take some beings back with him, the next time he goes home. For Dr. Brewer, as well as for the patients who are desperate to win his favour in the hope that they might be chosen, it is a race against time, for this visit prot claims, will be his last. Reminiscent of One flew over the Cuckoo's nest, it is a hilarious, touching and wonderful story.

260 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2001

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About the author

Gene Brewer

22 books80 followers
Gene R. Brewer was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana and educated at DePauw University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before becoming a novelist Dr. Brewer studied DNA replication and cell division at several major research institutions, including St. Jude Children's REsearch Hospital (Memphis) and Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland). He is the author of the acclaimed K-PAX trilogy, a memoir (Creating K-PAX), a story for young adults ("Alejandro" in Twice Told), and the stage adaptation of his novel, K-PAX. He lives in New York City and Vermont with his wife and their dog Flower. Hobbies are flying, running, chess, astronomy/cosmology, music, theater, and of course, reading (favorite author: Kurt Vonnegut). Passions include ecology, animal rights*, and his wife, Karen.

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5 stars
304 (24%)
4 stars
472 (37%)
3 stars
404 (31%)
2 stars
68 (5%)
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17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie Zapata.
1,975 reviews52 followers
July 18, 2016
I jumped right into this book after finishing K-Pax, anxious to find out what happened next at the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute with prot, Robert, and everyone else.

This was both a good and bad decision on my part. Good because I was able to read 'the rest of the story' right away. Bad because sequels are rarely as captivating as first books. The reader has to get reminded of background details; sometimes the story tends to stumble along when you remember it zipping just a few hours ago in the other book; and often the plot itself becomes a bit more bizarre or gruesome than expected.

While I was happy to learn what happens five years after K-PAX ended, I could not lose myself in this story the way I did in the first book. And prot himself seemed more of a snarky wiseguy than he had been. He may have had his reasons for that, of course, but in K-PAX I was tickled by his sayings while here I thought he was being a bit of a jerk. I also was disappointed in the portrayal of the psychiatrist in this book: I do not think any such doctor would ask advice from any patient about other patients, or encourage any patient to help others in quite the way this one did.

I still don't know for certain who he was or where he came from or why. There are hints in the final chapter, and I imagine all will be explained in the next book, but I have spent enough time with prot for now. Of course, if Someday I ever stumble across that third book, I would read it, but I'm not going to rush off on a wild prot chase just now.
Profile Image for Seb.
394 reviews108 followers
January 10, 2024
I probably liked On a Beam of Light more than I liked K-PAX and I'm stunned by that! I went into it somewhat expectant but armed myself to be disappointed just in case. Boy was I wrong!

WARNING: if you haven't read K-PAX, this review'll come with SPOILERS.







Getting back with Robert was nice as we get to know him more intimately. prot is still prot, though I found him more annoying this time, to the point of almost disliking him. That's not something I expected at all!

However, the story is still fascinating and the question of prot's origin continues to be interesting, even though this is now not the main plot at all (was it the case in K-PAX? Not from my POV anyway).

Like at the end of K-PAX, I'm clueless regarding what the next (and last) book in the series will be about, seeing how this one ended. I'm going to trust dr. b. and continue with his session reports!
Profile Image for Andy Smith.
Author 5 books3 followers
August 28, 2014
Weeell... what was I expecting? You can't top a work as fine as K-Pax. Brewer tried his best, but didn't quite make it.

In an effort to rekindle the magic of the first novel, Brewer is forced to rely on a growing cast of eccentric secondary characters, Dr Brewer's relationship with Rob, prot's schizophrenic alter-ego (or is it the other way round?), and a pair of sad gimmicks, Paul and Harry. prot himself is reduced to proselytism, answering fan-mail and TV show appearances, before simply (according to the bumbling idiot, Dr Brewer) fading to black, a figment of the imagination of an abused child.

Still a good read, and prot is still the prot we know and love, but K-Pax is a hard act to follow and this was a disappointment.
Profile Image for Eloise Sunshine.
820 reviews45 followers
December 11, 2015
Maybe partly a bit too naive with it's "happy ending", where all the sort of loose ends get tied together rather nicely, but sometimes it can be even refreshing to read a book like this - what a positive change to all the tragic/dramatic storylines :P

I must agree - Prot's ideas and suggestions to human kind are as accurate and important today as they were at the time this book was written. I like how the author provides us his concerns regarding human kind's lifestyle and unavoidable doom.

And just when you think that with how the things have developed regarding Rob, all is and will be clear, still the question remains - was Prot an alien being visiting us or just an imaginary companion created in Rob's mind. I like it! :) Can't wait to start with the next book in series!
Profile Image for Elisabeth.
1,322 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2020
I definitely did not see this coming. Very interesting progression and leaving some unexplained occurrences to let the reader choose what they want to believe.
Profile Image for Friday.
93 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2023
3.5/5
For years I did not know this was a trilogy until I found a copy that included all 3 books. I will say it's not as good as book one, which is to be expected, it was a great story which would be hard to follow up. Book 1's strength was in the ambiguity of the whole situation. Book 2 is less ambiguous, the mystery of prot starts to trickle away. prot is still there, but the direction the story takes requires his character to remain undeveloped as we focus on Robert's character. Subject matter takes a more serious turn and gives you what you'd expect from a psychiatry book.
It was still funny, still a page turner and I'm interested to see what Brewer does with it in book 3! If you truly loved the first book and liked the ending... Maybe don't move to book 2.
Profile Image for Cecily.
1,312 reviews5,251 followers
May 7, 2014
The sequel to K Pax (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...).

It concentrates more on the doctor's idea that prot is the alter-ego of Robert, and trying to uncover the traumas that made Robert retreat (partly with hypnosis), but otherwise it doesn't add much to the story; reads like padding for the middle section of the first book.

The balance of the first book is gone; although prot's extraordinary powers are noted and unexplained, the presumption is very much that prot is an alter ego of Robert's MPD.

The trilogy concludes in K Pax III: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Profile Image for Eve.
241 reviews24 followers
March 20, 2014
A brilliant second book in what so far is one of my most favourite series. Makes me wonder though. Why can we only see the problems of our world when they are pointed out from the perspective of an outsider? Perhaps because it is so effective, clear-cut and objective. I love books that make me think. This one has certainly achieved that.
Profile Image for Steve.
389 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2020
Sequel to the brilliant book/movie K-Pax

Loved the original and was hoping this would add something new to the story but found it pretty much the same without a similar degree of charm and originality.

That said it was nice to have some more prot in my life again to help challenge my preconceptions of our place in the universe :)
4,059 reviews84 followers
May 11, 2020
On a Beam of Light (K-PAX #2) by Gene Brewer (St. Martin's Paperbacks 2001)(Fiction - Science Fiction) is the second installment in the K-PAX series. Prot returns to his body at the hospital after a five year absence. This story just keeps getting better! My rating: 8.5/10, finished 2010.
Profile Image for Adrián.
320 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2015
Un buen libro que resuelve muchas de las dudas del viaje y procedencia de prot. Buena continuación que se centra más en Rob y que nos muestra a un prot que quiere ayudar a Rob. Deja con ganas de más porque deja algunos interrogantes importantes ;).
Profile Image for Matt Spaulding.
141 reviews8 followers
March 26, 2016
A quick, simple, enjoyable read. Not quite as good as it's predecessor, but still not bad. It lacks a really deep story, so there isn't a ton to seek your teeth in to, but that doesn't stop it from being interesting, especially if you like psychology.
66 reviews
April 21, 2025
Personagens:
Dr Gene: psiquiatra, se torna diretor do Instituto de Psiquiatria de Manhattan depois da morte de Dr Villers, atende prot/Robert e descobre seu passado
Prot: alien do planeta K-Pax, viaja na velocidade da luz, está no corpo de Robert e o ajuda nos momentos de crise, retorna a Terra depois de 5 anos
Robert: órfão de pai desde muito cedo, tem múltiplas personalidades, foi abusado sexualmente pelo seu tio, se casou após sua namorada engravidar, encontra sua esposa e filha mortas após serem estupradas e mata o criminoso, tentando se matar em seguida, Prot toma seu corpo em momentos de crise,
Harry: uma das personalidades de Robert, menino de 5 anos muito raivoso, ele que matou o invasor/estuprador de Sally e Rebecca
Paul: uma das personalidades de Robert, assume em momentos sexuais que Robert tinha com Sally
Gisele: repórter, investiga sobre UFOs, apaixonada por prot e desenvolve um romance com Robert
Sally: esposa de Robert que foi estuprada e morta por um invasor junto com sua filha Rebecca
Dr Villers: diretor do Instituto, sua esposa descobre um câncer e os dois se suicidam
Will: filho de Dr Gene, quer ser psiquiatra e faz estágio no Instituto

Resumo:
Depois de 5 anos prot retorna à Terra como prometido. Robert ainda está em estado catatônico desde que prot foi embora mesmo tentando vários tratamentos. Dr Gene escreveu um livro sobre esse caso e teve bastante atenção, prot recebeu muitas cartas e muitos estavam esperando seu retorno. Agora o dr consegue hipnotizar prot de novo para conseguir falar com Robert e tentar ajudá-lo. Gisele é avisada do retorno de prot e vai periodicamente ao instituto para conversar com ele e fazer a ponte com diversos profissionais que querem falar com ele. O Dr consegue ajudar bastante Robert e descobre que ele não é o pai de Rebecca, pois ele e Sally nunca tiveram relações sexuais, mesmo apoia vários anos de casados. Esse bloqueio do sexo foi por causa do abuso sexual que sofreu de seu tio ao passar um período em sua casa quando tinha 5 anos e seu pai tinha acabado de sofrer o acidente. Robert estava cada vez mais confiante e conseguindo conversar mais com o Dr, até que em seções de hipnose outras personalidades apareceram, Harry e Paul. Harry aparecia quando o tio de Robert começava a abusar sexualmente dele, e era um menino jovem que tinha muita raiva. Já Paul apareceu na adolescência, quando Sally e Robert tinham relações sexuais. Por causa do trauma sexual, Paul aparecia nesses momentos e Robert ficava adormecido, sem ter conhecimento dessas outras personalidades, por isso ele acreditava que não era o pai de Rebecca. Ele nunca havia conversado sobre isso com Sally, então ela não fazia ideia sobre Paul. Foi a personalidade de Harry que apareceu quando Robert encontrou Sally e Rebecca mortas, ele que matou o invasor. Agora tudo faz sentido e o Dr Gene sente que chegou ao fundo dos problemas de Robert, e a solução seria uma integração de todas as personalidades em uma só. Então, pede para ele escutar as fitas das seções e descobre por si mesmo a existência de outras personalidades além de prot. O Dr também fala sobre sexo e mostra fitas para Robert, já que ele nunca teve uma conversa sobre e nunca tinha tido relações. Gisele o ajuda também e eles começam um caso. Robert aparece cada vez mais e prot cada vez menos. prot e outros pacientes vão zoológico, uma ideia de Gisele, para descobrir se ele realmente consegue falar com animais. Ele também participa de um talk show e insiste que o planeta Terra está acabando e devemos abandonar religiões entre outras coisas para salvar a Terra. Alguns pacientes também são curados após passar essas semanas com prot, incluindo um suicida e um homem que estava grávido. De Gene pede exames de sangue quando prot aparece e quando é Robert, para fins de comparação, além de testes psicológicos. Os testes e inclusive exames de sangue deixam bem claro que são pessoas diferentes, mas o Dr Gene acredita que houve algum erro humano nos exames de sangue. Robert muda para o primeiro andar da clínica, onde são os casos mais leves, e depois de algum tempo consegue sair do instituto e vai morar com Gisele. prot não aparece mais e tudo está bem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
July 19, 2025
more!

The Universe (no pun intended) created by Mr.Brewer- or, more accurately, the Universe created by the characters about whom Brewer writes (including himself)in A BEAM OF LIGHT, is as compelling and real as that of the first book. Combined with the success of the film version of Book 1, K-PAX, which was due - in no small part - to the film’s cast and crew’s commitment to this Universe, Mr. Brewer and company have gifted the world with a rare jewel which deserves to be one of the most successful and beloved series produced in recent times. I re-read 2 of these series without fail every year: (James Herriot’s “All Creatures Great and Small” series and J.K.Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series). Every 4 or 5 years, I revisit L.Frank Baum’s original 12 “Oz” books - illustrated in exquisite Beaux- Arts style by John R. O’Neill- (do not settle for “modernized” illustrations). There is a beauty and timelessness to these creations, which, without the devices that create artificial demand (franchises - Harry Potter’s audience would have been just as loyal without Universal Studios , CGI, huge events), yet these very different authors, at the end of the day, bring us characters whom we love dearly, as they remind us of what really matters. Just 2 books and a movie into the K-PAXIAN and MPI worlds, I am anxious for the next installment and already am certain that Mr. Brewer’s 5 book series will be my 3rd yearly reread - or, reset, if you will.
Profile Image for Serenity Bea.
Author 1 book3 followers
December 15, 2024
I found this a worthy continuation of the thought-provoking journey that began in K-PAX. Gene Brewer once again brings the captivating and otherworldly—or is he?—character, back to Earth, where his interactions with the psychiatric hospital’s patients and staff lead to moments of profound transformation and introspection.
The sequel delves even deeper into the lives of those he touches, offering a fresh layer of humanity and hope to an already fascinating premise. The patients’ stories are handled with care, and their struggles feel authentic, as he challenges them to reimagine their realities and confront their deepest fears.
K-PAX II doesn’t quite match the sheer mystery and impact of the original. The themes of redemption and healing are beautifully woven throughout the story, and once again, Brewer keeps you guessing.
If you loved K-PAX, this sequel is a must-read. It offers more of the philosophical questions, emotional moments, and hints of cosmic mystery that made the first book so memorable.
Profile Image for L.L..
1,010 reviews17 followers
April 15, 2024
Książka trzyma poziom pierwszego tomu! (choć ktoś mógłby też powiedzieć, że to powielony schemat i nic odkrywczego - no ok, tak też można to widzieć ;) ). Niby coś tam więcej się dowiadujemy o Procie/Robercie ale i tak pewna niepewność pozostaje... Poza tym wiele do dodania ponad to co napisałem w opisie pierwszego tomu: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... nie mam. To również dobra powieść, warto było przeczytać.

Na koniec znowu dwa cytaty, które do mnie trafiają:

"Gdzie posadzi pan drzewo, gdy już nie będzie go gdzie posadzić?"

"Kiedy przestaniecie czynić cnotę z zabijania, kiedy rodzenie dzieci stanie się mniej ważne od tego, by pozwolić żyć innym – nie tylko ludziom, ale wszystkim innym
stworzeniom na waszej PLANECIE – wtedy będziecie na drodze do dorosłości."

(.pdf str.99-100)


(czytana/słuchana: 28.03-3.04.2024)
5/5 [8/10]
Profile Image for Fraser Simons.
Author 9 books295 followers
September 2, 2025
This was still fairly interesting, and even managed to include a trans story that I expected to be handled pretty poorly mostly due to when it was written, but ended up fairly well. It continues to be much more prescriptive than the movie, but manages still be pretty engaging around the diagnoses (even if it is wildly popularized by TV since its writing meanwhile in real life it’s been confirmed like 3 times ever~). It’s a decent sequel but is less interesting than the original. And I’m curious to see where it could really go in the next book, since everything seems pretty buttoned up, to me.
Profile Image for Robyn.
141 reviews
January 15, 2022
2/2.5
I just found myself not wanting to pick this book up. Hence why it took a while to get through. I really enjoyed finding out about Roberts backstory and how he came to be in the hospital.....but that was about it. It was all just very samey.
For me the most frustrating thing about this book was the character Giselle. I just found her completely unbelievable and her relationship with Prot completely inappropriate (at least to start with). I found myself rolling my eyes whenever she appeared.
Profile Image for Gareth Alan.
41 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2021
I enjoyed this one but it was almost like reading K-PAX all over again. The therapy sessions, prot saying and doing things that make you believe he could actually be from K-PAX, Dr Gene trying to get Robert to open up, Giselle running around in the background finding out information... This all happened in K-PAX 1.

But it's still good. This time we see more of Robert and delve deeper into his past to find out what made him the way he is. prot is always a fun character and I loved his wisdom (or craziness) quotes at the end of the book. Plus there's all new characters in the psychiatric hospital this time. Just like the last book, they are all likeable, but again, it would have been nice if they had more pages dedicated to them so we could get to know them a little better.

But yes, this was a good en, slightly less so than the first book, but still up there, and I'm eager to get started on book number 3.
Profile Image for Siva Banda.
13 reviews17 followers
June 22, 2017
" Mental illness is often in the eye of the beholder. Too often on this planet, it refers to those who think and act differently from the majority. "

Gotta love the perspective PROT gives about everyday human life.
168 reviews
July 7, 2025
Perfect conclusion to first book K-PAX which follows the return of 'prot'. Readers must realize that the described treatment of psychiatric patients date close to 30 years ago. Found out that a movie based on the first book was made years ago. Easy read, just over 200 pages. I enjoyed it.
1 review
May 18, 2020
Easy read/fun to get lost in

Saw K-PAX movie then read book. Had to read 2nd book. Interesting.
I liked it. Would recommend.
Now on to next book in series
2 reviews
February 25, 2022
READ this book!

Just read it. It will probably never be a movie because of its challenges to the status quo. Just read it!
Profile Image for Rubén Vilaplana.
218 reviews15 followers
August 9, 2024
Continuación de la famosa K-Pax de la cual se hizo una película con actores de renombre, esta continuación profundiza mucho más en la vida de Rob desentrañando poco a poco el trauma de este.
No tan pomposa como la primera pero más interesante.
Profile Image for John Kube.
268 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2025
This explains the real reason for prot in the original book (and movie), but also leaves some unanswered questions.
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