K-PAX

Gene Brewer

Dr. Brewer of the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute has had a new patient referred to him. The patient, who claims his name is prot (rhymes with goat) and that he is not from Earth, but from K-PAX, a planet that has two suns and a strange orbit. He has travelled the Earth, has only a few places left to visit, then will be returning to K-PAX at a specified date and time in August.

Prot, Dr. Brewer decides, is his book. He sees prot case as in complete denial and amnesia for his past. During his sessions, prot describes the joys of K-PAX, the problems with Earth, and eats produce. Dr. Brewer keeps finding clues to prot's past as he listens to the utopia that is K-PAX. Some traumatic event happened. Dr. Brewer is determined to discover the event, then work on bringing prot back to reality.

But is prot from Earth, or really from K-PAX as he claims? He knows astronomical facts that are just being discovered in the labs. His vision is so acute he needs sunglasses in normal light - his best lighting level is dusk. He seems to be able to talk to animals. He is helpful to the others patients in the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute - making a difference with some long term patients. There is something other worldly about prot - but actually from another planet? Not in Dr. Brewer's scientific and psychiatric thinking.

This novel is interesting - it examines family values, perceptions about ourselves, and our emotional and mental well being. It's satisfying but not great reading. The story is not only about prot or psychiatric patients and problems, but also about how prot affects Dr. Brewer. There are some good insights here. Besides, prot is an attractive character. By the end his story pulls the reader's sorrow and sympathy.