What Dreams May Come

By: Richard Matheson

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

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)

Too Much Philosophy; Not Enough Story

If you scroll through the negative reviews of this book (as I did), you will see it mentioned a plethora of times that the thing that held the reader from thoroughly enjoying this book was how it focused on the philosophical message it wanted to get across rather than the actual story. I planned to listened to it on Audible, so I figured it wouldn't be as exhausting for me. The segments where philosophy was the focus would breeze by since I'm listening to it and not actually reading the words.

Boy, was I wrong.

The thing that irked me the most about this book was that the actual story (minus the philosophical rambling) was engaging, original and very romantic. *** Spoiler Alert*** Man dies in car crash. Goes to the heaven. Wife kills herself out of grieve of losing him. She goes to hell. He goes to hell to find her and decides being in hell with her is far better than being in heaven without her. ***End Spoiler***

The issue is as brilliant the writer was in concocting that premise, the way he droned on about philosophy and making us understand how heaven worked was tiring.

There's about 10 or so chapters CONTINUOUS where the plot isn't moved along much at all and we have to sit through one character telling another character how heaven worked. I read via Audible and one day I read for 3 hrs and the plot stayed stagnant while we were tought how the author's belief of heaven worked. I listened to the book and it became tasking, I can only imagine how it must've felt for those that traditionally read it.

This book to me would've been so much better as a short story where the author didn't feel it necessary to meet a page quota. But short stories don't sell as well as novels, so here we are.

I struggled mightily with whether to give it a 3 star rating or an abysmal 2 star rating. I decided begrudgingly on 3 stars because when the actual story was really great. At one point I felt myself tearing up. The philosophical ramblings and exposition weighed this book down tremendously.

meh?

I don't know. maybe it's not for me, I found it a bit boring :(

Masterpiece

A manual for the next journey. This book needs to be studied. It is far more than entertainment.
As many others, I also first saw the movie based on this work. After reading the book years later, I was quite shocked to realize the extent of damage the Hollywood crowd inflicted upon this unique literary masterpiece.
I listen to this audio book and some other works of Richard Matheson's, such as Somewhere In Time, about once a year. There is so much to be found within for an open minded seeker of wisdom.

Incredible Story with Rich Wisdom

I’ve seen the movie based on this novel many times, and I have to say that the book is orders of magnitude better than the movie.

There is so much wisdom imparted in this story that it makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking for fresh perspective on the nature of reality, life, and death.

I highly recommend it to everyone!

Just…

Wow. 😳 Did not really know what I was getting myself into with this but so happy I did. I fully believe the world will be a better place if everyone read (or listened to) this book. That is all.

excellent topic, but too slow

Could have half as short. It dragged on and on. Great story but could have been told in no more than 3 hours.

Tragically beautiful

Richard Matheson is a Master Storyteller and shines yet again.
Until I came across this audiobook, I had only seen the movie with Robin Williams starring. I loved the movie instantly and it never has failed to bring tears to my eyes. The original book is always better than a movie, in my opinion and this book is no different.
I have always mourned at not having found love. A true love. A Corinthian kind of love. A love like in this story where Chris loves Ann.
This will Always be my favorite story. Book, audio, or film.

Deeply touching and timeless

This book has such intense imagery, emotion and imagination. You're left asking your own questions and contemplating life and death in the best way. What an incredible journey! I can't wait to take it again.

Whoever said the movie is better is wacko

I enjoyed this book. It’s was very emotional and intriguing. Trying to watch the movie after and couldn’t handle it. Some one commented about how the movie was better for once. No way!

Outstanding on all levels!

This is me and my wife. I'd go to the hell for her and find her through it all. Eternity could not separate us.