Medical Thriller Explores Near-Death Experience, Boundary between Science and Religion

Simultaneously, Zack is being touted in the local press as “resurrected from the dead.” As a result, Dr. Elisabeth Luria, a professor at Harvard Medical School, whose husband and son were killed in a car accident, has begun to do research and experiments on the near-death experience, in the hope that she may be able to get back in touch with the deceased members of her family. Zack still needs money so when he is given a flyer advertising sleep studies for money, he signs on, and finds himself in the hands of Dr. Luria.

Once Zack agrees to undergo the tests that Luria devises, he finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the exploration for life on the other side. In the course of the experiments, he forms a romantic relationship with Sarah, one of the researchers.

Another sub-theme of the book is Zack’s search for the father who deserted them and who, supposedly, died in a monastery. While the novel explores a number of technical aspects of near-death experience, the book does not come to a clear conclusion as to whether there is truly life after death. But Braver brings an energetic brio to the twists and turns of the plot. Having been trained as a physicist, the author is able to infuse the novel with a realism and factuality that commands the reader’s attention and keeps him reading.

There is a given audience for this book amongst those interested in near-death experiences and the subject is very much alive in the current culture. There is even a Near Death Experience Research Foundation. Braver’s book should appeal to this group and those beyond (not quite literally) who enjoy a quickmoving thriller.

Braver (Goshgarian) will be available at two presentations and book signings in the near future: June 23, 6 p.m., at Stellina’s Restaurant, 47 Main St., Watertown, Mass.; and June 30, 7 p.m. at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline, Mass.