Chris and Annie are happily married, with a young daughter and son. When their children suddenly die in a car accident, they struggle to stay together. Another blow is dealt when Chris is also killed in a car crash. Annie is left alone, on the edge of despair.
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Chris however, or rather his spirit, lingers on. He tries to comfort Annie, but cannot reach her. He later arrives in Heaven, represented as the physical manifestation of his imagination. He is greeted by his old dog and Albert, an old friend, who becomes a guide for Chris. Albert explains to him that here, thought is real and physical is the illusion. Chris is also reunited with his daughter Marie. They explore a beautiful city populated by free souls.
In the meantime, Annie, succumbing to her grief, commits suicide. When Chris learns of this, he decides to venture into the lower realm to save her. As he descends, he will face many dangers.
Eventually he reaches a distorted manifestation of his former home. There, he finds Annie, alone with her nightmares. He makes a passionate plea, recounting all the things he misses about their relationship. When he resolves to stay with Annie forever, she is moved and, out of her love for Chris, rises up to Heaven taking him with her.
Best part of story, including ending:
Most of all I liked the inventive visual style that was used for the afterlife. The love story between Chris and Annie is very melodramatic.
Best scene in story:
The scene where Chris wakes up in Heaven. I liked the way that his slice of Heaven is visualized as an impressionistic painting where the paint is still wet, since he has not yet fully realized where he is and his thoughts are not focused.
Opinion about the main character:
Chris is determined to keep Annie close to him. Even though back on Earth he didn't know how to best comfort her, he tries to save her even if it means losing an eternity in Heaven.
