What Dreams May Come: A Novel
by Richard Matheson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Richard MathesonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-01-01
ISBN: 0765308703
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Tor Books
Book Reviews of What Dreams May Come: A Novel
Book Review: Unforgettable Ethereal Adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
Matheson's What Dreams May Come is crafted for the spiritually curious, those willing to explore the blurry border between our existence on earth and beyond. The entire book is an experiment of the abstract and concrete, examining the interplay between heaven and earth. Matheson's tale of the ultimate connection between these two worlds, love, is simultaneously disturbing and inspiring, gently urging the reader to examine how far they would go to rescue the one they love.
The protagonist, as well as the reader, is challenged to explore and push the confines of the spiritual and physical realms. We follow the journey of Chris Neilson, who has passed away in a car accident. The book, set in modern time, immediately delves into the idea of souls, as Chris feels that something is different but cannot understand that he is to depart from earth. He feels lethargic and heavy, unable to function and interact with anyone on earth.
One of the moments of the book that stuck out the most to me was due to the sheer horror of the scene: Chris witnesses his corpse speaking to his family during a séance, and reaches his own cold, dead body, staring into its empty eyes, the corpse tugging him back. Other parts in the book involve Chris venturing to hell, providing even more frightening scenes. However, Matheson's use of chilling scenes is not gratuitous, as the weight of physical existence is smartly contrasted with the ethereal qualities of the afterlife.
Chris's wife, Marie, suffers from severe depression after his passing away, and the book picks up speed as an adventure, yet never losing its reflective tone, as he tries to save her. Chris must literally go through heaven, hell, even limbo for Marie. Meanwhile, he is putting his entire spiritual existence in danger, risking his position in Winterland, heaven, and facing the possibility of being trapped. His journey to be forever reunited with his beloved wife is emotionally harrowing, as he too must come to grips with grief and attempt to reach peace.
Matheson's descriptive yet flowing writing style benefits his provocative journey into spiritual thought. The scenes are vivid and luminous, inviting complete philosophical abandon on what it means to love, what it means to be human, and what it means to be a soul. The love Chris has for Marie even becomes secondary as the reader is invited to ponder their own existence. Most interestingly, Matheson asserts that What Dreams May Come is based on extensive research (bibliography included), and we see that Chris and Marie serve as vehicles through which we may explore life, death, and most fascinatingly, what lies in between.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, particularly savoring the descriptions of Winterland and Matheson's thoughts on how we build our own existence. The book deals with unconventional ideas in a graceful manner, exploring ideas such as energy, reincarnation, and divinity. Even if a reader chooses to call Matheson's ideas into question, this novel is certainly worth the read- if not for the adventure, then for allowing us to venture into the highest realms of our minds.
Summary of What Dreams May Come: A Novel
The New York Times bestseller
A LOVE THAT TRANSCENDS HEAVEN AND HELL
What happens to us after we die? Chris Nielsen had no idea, until an unexpected accident cut his life short, separating him from his beloved wife, Annie. Now Chris must discover the true nature of life after death.
But even Heaven is not complete without Annie, and when tragedy threatens to divide them forever, Chris risks his very soul to save Annie from an eternity of despair.
Richard Matheson's powerful tale of life---and love---after death was the basis for the Oscar-winning film starring Robin Williams.
A LOVE THAT TRANSCENDS HEAVEN AND HELL
What happens to us after we die? Chris Nielsen had no idea, until an unexpected accident cut his life short, separating him from his beloved wife, Annie. Now Chris must discover the true nature of life after death.
But even Heaven is not complete without Annie, and when tragedy threatens to divide them forever, Chris risks his very soul to save Annie from an eternity of despair.
Richard Matheson's powerful tale of life---and love---after death was the basis for the Oscar-winning film starring Robin Williams.
A classic novel of love after death, from one our greatest fantasy writers. The premise is deceptively simple: Chris Neilson has died in a car accident, but his life-force--his spirit--is still conscious of this plane of reality. And he is still too in love with his wife, Ann, to completely let go. She in turn does not want to go on living without him, as each regards the other as their soul mate. What Chris will do to get back with Ann after she dies makes for one of the most unusual love stories ever told. Even though the story can be enjoyed as pure fantasy, what makes What Dreams May Come unique is how the author spent years researching the subject of life after death. (An exhaustive bibliography is included to verify this.) And while Matheson admits that the characters are of course fictional, he also states that "With few exceptions, every other detail is derived exclusively from research." Whether, after reading this novel, one believes in life after death is of course a matter of opinion. At least you'll entertain the possibility that, even though we may not live forever, true love can be eternal. --Stanley Wiater
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