First, my apologies for sitting on this book for so long! (My explanation involves a lot of words ending with "-itis", and maybe even a few attempts to spell a dramatic coughing fit or two.)

And then I finished it days ago, but have only just had time to write my review.

And THEN, I didn't even enjoy the book. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)

I did like the movie, but I guess it was more the visuals of the movie that I enjoyed rather than the philosophy or the plot. In the book, I found the plot completely wet and sappy and the philosophy completely opposed to what I believe in. It rubbed me up the wrong way completely with the comments at the beginning that the details of the book are all based on the TRUTH, and it must be true, because he read it in a book somewhere. (Granted, there is a long bibliography at the back of the book.) Hell, I can read all sorts of things in books, and that doesn't make it all true!

I do not believe in life after death. I am willing to read about life after death in a novel. I am not willing to have life after death forced down my throat as the TRUTH.

I especially enjoyed reading about the book in Summerland's library that denies life after death and was giving off bad vibes. Mate, come over here and read my aura, and you'll be seeing some bad vibes!!

On the plus side, it was an easy read. It wasn't as if I was struggling with bad writing on top of bad philosophy/theology. And some of the sappier elements of the movie were obviously a product of Hollywood, not Richard Matheson, which was a relief.

And Mr TQD has recommended that I lift my lifelong ban on reading Robert Heinlein novels and give Job a go as an antidote for sappy life-after-death plots. Just mentioning this in case anyone else feels the need for an antidote after reading this book. ( )

Just love this book. It's one of my favourites! ( )

When an accident tears Chris Nielson from his wife, Annie, he discovers that even the secret world of the afterlife is meaningless without his true love. An amazing story of love and eternal hope. Highly recommend. Made into a movie with Robin Williams, but book was much better. ( )

This changed the way I think about metaphysics, as Matheson states that he strongly belives the metaphysical aspects of the book to be true. ( )