The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Book Review: Brings a perspective to life
Summary: 5 Stars
Another inspiring journey that challenges and reflects on lifes ups and downs. Great to be put in the position of looking back and seeing how small and large decisions in life make such a difference to oneself and to others around... A great read- read Tuesday with Morrie first though.Book Review: The Five People you meet in heaven
Summary: 5 Stars
The perfect book to read when you are feeling a bit down and want to thinkthere is more to life than the everyday problems and trials. Cant wait toread more from this inspiring author. A perfect gift.Book Review: A magical read
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend suggested I read this book. Her timing was out, as my flight back to the UK was due to leave 12 hours later. Luckily, I had alread packed because once I started reading, there was no way I was leaving for the airport until it was finished!! This book eloquently expressed the concept that people touch our lives, sometimes without us understanding why. I have ordered a copy to be shipped to another friend because she has touched my life.A magical read.
Book Review: Definitely Worth Your Time
Summary: 4 Stars
The story of Eddie, an aging machinist at a seaside amusement park, his life, his loves, and his frustrations, "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" reminds us once again that it is not always what we do consciously that affects people the most, but that merely by living we affect the lives of more people than we could ever be aware of. In Mitch Albom's follow-up to his bestselling "Tuesdays with Morrie", Albom uses the fable form to drive this message home, with mixed results. I think that more so than any of his previous work, "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" is probably going to prove to be Mitch Albom's most divisive book. Almost everyone I have spoken to was favorably impressed by "Tuesdays with Morrie" - some loved it, some felt it was "good for a first attempt", and others felt it was "a bit overrated, but not bad." Those same people have a much broader set of reactions to "The Five People...". One felt that it was opportunistic garbage, designed solely to make money. Another was "disappointed" and expected more. And so it goes. From like to hate, and everything in-between is represented in peoples' reaction to this book.
As for myself, I thought it was a better book than "Morrie"; I read it in one sitting (admittedly not a difficult feat) and I did indeed cry when I reached the end. Eddie is by far one of the most believable fictional characters I have met in recent years, and his reactions to the events chronicled in the book are very human. If the basic messages that Albom is trying to get across seem preachy or simplistic, ask yourself when was the last time you took time to consider any of them personally? Coming up with grand new truths to share is a wonderful thing, but the ability to focus our attention on things which are simple, yet forgotten can at times be even more meaningful.
If I had one critique to make about this book it would be that I think Albom erred in placing the first person before the fifth person. It seems that a great deal of the first person's message was lost (or its impact lessened, in any event) once we meet the fifth and reconsider what has been revealed in that new light. As a shock ending the fifth person works well (I know I was expecting something completely different) but it brings up all sorts of questions which remain unanswered.
Which, I guess, is part of the point. Whether you have five people or fifty, there are always going to be questions unanswered. That's life. Pick up this book! Another Amazon quick pick I'd like to recommend is THE LOSERS CLUB by Richard Perez, an strange but wonderful little novel that moved me.
Book Review: A good reflection on life!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book as a recommendation. No fancy advertisements, no pressure from book of the month clubs. Just a friendly recommendation of a story that someone thought I might enjoy. I thank that person for doing so.Eddie is a 83-year-old maintenance man that most would probably never see in our world these days. The type that is too unimportant to get rid of. But, as his death quickly overtakes him, we are shown how this forgotten old man was such a grand figure. It makes one think about people that they see everyday without really knowing anything about them.
Anyway, we are then told how Eddie was and something about his life as it changes from birthday to birthday. Finally, we follow Eddie into heaven where five instrumental figures from his moral life appear. He is ultimately surprised at the influence he had on each of these people as they demonstrate the true value he had in their lives.
When you finish this book you will find that the old maintenance man from Ruby Pier was much more than he ever gave himself credit and it makes you reflect on how all of our lives our interconnected with each other somehow. The next time you wish someone a "Good morning" or a simple "How are you?" remember that your action may have more impact than you can ever imagine. Just ask Eddie.