Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
What Dreams May Come  By  cover art

What Dreams May Come

By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.22

Buy for $13.22

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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 the divided soul mates will do anything to reach each other across the boundaries between life and death. When tragedy threatens to divide them forever, Chris risks his very soul to save Annie from an eternity of despair.

©1978 Richard Matheson (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the most important writers of the 20th century." (Ray Bradbury)
"Matheson is one of the great names in American terror fiction." ( Philadelphia Inquirer)

What listeners say about What Dreams May Come

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    915
  • 4 Stars
    308
  • 3 Stars
    142
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    25
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    867
  • 4 Stars
    245
  • 3 Stars
    71
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    801
  • 4 Stars
    237
  • 3 Stars
    107
  • 2 Stars
    37
  • 1 Stars
    28

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A True Dream

What did you love best about What Dreams May Come?

This book was one of the most heart felt and detailed stories, just wonderful!

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

His voice captivates the listener

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More Than a Favorite!

Would you listen to What Dreams May Come again? Why?

I already have listened to this multiple times and have dragged a few friends along for the ride!

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Dreams May Come?

The vivid and detailed description of Summerland (heaven, the other side etc). I was amazed, even startled by how it naturally resonated with my own spiritual belief system. Beautiful and comforting, imaginative, even magical.

Outside of the story, there is a lengthy bibliography of literature used in the writing of this book. Much explores near death experiences and research on supernatural topics. This is not available on the audio book, but the introduction to the book states that the entire story is based solely on these referenced materials. I was so motivated to explore these resources that I had to go purchase a paper copy just for that bibliography!

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The richness and depth of his voice really grabs you and takes hold of you. It's a lovely compliment to Richard Matheson's writing style. Wonderfully descriptive and deeply affecting. I once made the mistake of trying to listen to the audio book before bed. I became so enthralled with the story and wonderful narration, that I finally decided to turn my ipod off at 3am or I wouldn't have gotten any sleep at all!

Who was the most memorable character of What Dreams May Come and why?

That's hard to choose. I want to say Chris Neilson is the most memorable because he dominates the story, but I have to say Albert is the least forgettable for me... ;)

Any additional comments?

An amazing book! More than a book, really. A genuine, potentially life altering exploration of a sacred knowing built into the depths of our hearts and spirits. This book is so much more than a love story or even an interesting concept of the afterlife. When approached with an open mind, it will take you to a very special, exciting place and will leave you to consider your own personal journey through life... And beyond!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

We get it, he loves Ann

Please excuse any grammar and spelling I'm on mobile.

So I'm not going to be to harsh on this because I got it for free.

I understand this is about a man and a woman who love each other. I get he passes and misses her a great deal, but my God 94% of the story is him pining over his wife. There is love then there is unhealthy upsession. There is little substance to this story because most of it is him talking about ann.

Throughout the whole book I can not remember a single significant event other then his death, because there are none and I quit halfway through. The story is trying to build its world through characters and not setting, but the main character is so annoying and we know nothing about ann other then his memories it's hard to care. This could've been good if it dealt with more than just ann.

The narrator is meh. He's the intellectual deep voice type that kind of monotones his way through the story adding no inflection or character making this already mind numbing story worse.

I'll stick with the Robin Williams film rather then his meandering storyless book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Profound

This book is really interesting. I read it about 10 years ago. Revisiting the audiobook version (which is excellent), I've realized it was the first book to plant the idea in my mind that our thoughts create our reality, and that we're responsible for them.

The story is also very beautiful; an incredible love story full of growth and adventure. It's a modern Dante's Inferno, and I think it has much to teach.

I also recommend "A New Earth," by Eckhart Tolle. I think it makes a wonderful companion to this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

love this book

this book is inspiring. Makes you want to do more in life and not fear dearh.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This book has given me strengths i never knew!

I can walk away grom this experience feeling empowered and capable of facing my life journey. I am pleasantly surprised and honered that my adventure has brought me here. Such a profound and compelling read; I am forever changed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

One of my top favorite books of all time. I liked the movie but the book puts the movie to shame! I will be listening to this many times! Fantastic book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Makes you think.

Where does What Dreams May Come rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd put it in the top three. The story is amazing, and goes above & beyond the task of taking the walls of reality away from us.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I so wanted to be one of the people hanging out in the Library reading the real history of the Earth. I can think of so many historical topics I would pounce on straight away.

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

Most likely the Cousin/Guide. He had a calming vibe to him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great movie, better book!

Where does What Dreams May Come rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks number one! Although a novel, I believe the authors research regarding the afterlife was sound, bringing much more to my understanding than I had from any other source, including NDE reports.

What did you like best about this story?

I can't say what I liked best, it was all so good.

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

Great, does a wonderful job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, of course.

Any additional comments?

See the movie first, then listen to this audio book. This book is far better than the movie which is also great. The story line is different in the book than the movie, but that does not make it any less an awesome book, better in many ways.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Haunting and beautiful

If you could sum up What Dreams May Come in three words, what would they be?

This is a story of true love that endures a journey through heaven and hell to find each other. Beautifully written and narrated. This book give another perspective on an after life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful