Death Is but a Dream

Finding Hope and Meaning at Life's End

By: Christopher Kerr, Carine Mardorossian

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The first audiobook to validate the meaningful dreams and visions that bring comfort as death nears.

Christopher Kerr is a hospice doctor. All of his patients die. Yet, he has cared for thousands of patients who, in the face of death, speak of love and grace. Beyond the physical realities of dying are unseen processes that are remarkably life-affirming. These include dreams that are unlike any regular dream. Described as "more real than real", these end-of-life experiences resurrect past relationships, meaningful events, and themes of love and forgiveness; they restore life's meaning and mark the transition from distress to comfort and acceptance. 

Drawing on interviews with over 1,400 patients and more than a decade of quantified data, Dr. Kerr reveals that pre-death dreams and visions are extraordinary occurrences that humanize the dying process. He shares how his patients' stories point to death as not solely about the end of life, but as the final chapter of humanity's transcendence. Kerr's audiobook also illuminates the benefits of these phenomena for the bereaved, who find solace in seeing their loved ones pass with a sense of calm closure. 

Beautifully written, with astonishing real-life characters and stories, this audiobook is at its heart a celebration of our power to reclaim the dying process as a deeply meaningful one. Death Is but a Dream is an important contribution to our understanding of medicine's and humanity's greatest mystery.

©2020 Christopher Kerr, Carine Mardorossian (P)2020 Penguin Audio

OK

If you are traditional US christian with belief in the afterlife, existence of the "soul", and encounters with relatives after death, this is your book. If not, skip it.

Great story.

This was a very easy book to listen to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Answered a lot of questions about end of life experiences that I have had the privilege of witnessing.

What A Gift

Thanks Dr. Kerr et al for this insight into how our dreams and visions of deceased loved ones provide comfort to the dying and their families. This book should be required reading for all high school students.

Wisdom and dignity in the death process

I have thought about the dying process since I was a young child. Those I loved who died when I was young, died suffering and confused and highly medicated.

Death is but a dream is a plea for awareness and lucidity in the dying process mostly for the bereaved and healthcare professionals as it appears those who are dying often have the support of grace, but not always.

Wonderful enlightening

So beautiful and enlightening. Highly recommend this to everyone who has lost a loved one.

Not for me

Having a Christian faith, I did not feel that this book reflected what I know to be true. His interpretation of events was not how I view end of life visions or feelings. I am sure for some this would be a very interesting book, but it was not for me.

Excellent!

This review of end of life dreams is unique, heart warming and a sincere honoring of the experiences of the dying. The research is invaluable.

Life Finds a Way, Even in Death

A hospice doctor observes, how towards life’s end, dreams may help the dying, make a smoother transition, reconciling, forgiving, finding peace in their own way, and in the context of their own lives, even if the process can be challenging. There is hope that whatever lies beyond death, we find a way to prepare ourselves for it before it finally arrives.

As a hospice volunteer

I was a hospice volunteer for 20 years and I have heard and seen much of what he described. I believe it can help ppl dealing with their love ones sickness and death. I also did bereavement groups after loved ones died and heard their dreams as well. Even knowing all that it was reassuring to hear his stories and know that the ppl we love will be there to comfort us! Great book!

This did not need to be a book.

Initially interesting but very repetitive in structure. Could have been an essay but didn’t need to be a book.