Mitch Albom - The Five People You Meet in Heaven

[Kell]

The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Author: Mitch Albom
ISBN # 0751536822
Publisher: Time Warner
First Published: 2003
231 pages

Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the years - from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge - so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret. Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in his - and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever. One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself.

At first glance, I thought this would either be deeply depressing or incredibly deep; it turned out I was wrong on both counts. This is actually a very light, easy read, with a gentle style and a positive outlook on both life and death, which ultimately shows that every life, no matter how trivial it may seem at the time, impacts on every life touched. Presented in dual form as a “diary” of Eddie’s various birthdays and lessons learned in the afterlife, this is a novel that is easily read in small bites and each section flows organically into the next. The birthday chapters give more in-depth background to the main character’s life and the frustration he felt at “never getting anywhere”, whereas the lesson chapters explain the twists and turns of his life and add a little more reason and a feeling of completeness to each section.

It’s not a terribly deep book (everything seems to be on the surface level – all laid out for the reader who doesn’t have to figure anything out for themselves), but it’s a very gentle book that seems to speed by (it’s not terribly long, either). It doesn’t pretend to be anything more than it is and that’s rather refreshing.

All in all, it’s a very pleasant way to pass a summer’s afternoon in the garden.

(The Five People You Meet in Heaven was made into a Hallmark film, starring Jon Voigt and Emy Aneke, in 2003)

Rating: 7

[Sarahrob]

At first glance, I thought this would either be deeply depressing or incredibly deep; it turned out I was wrong on both counts.

I read this book a while ago and had a similar reaction. There were parts of the book which I adored. I loved the bit where Eddie realises his aches and pains have gone and he runs for the sheer joy of being able to run again.

[Inver]

I read this not long after my mum died and it kinda helped me through it a bit. :cry:

[Michelle]

Sorry to hear about you rmum Inver.. that's always so so hard. :friends:

I've just picked this book up for 50p at a bootfair, and am looking forward to reading it.

[1sillywabbit]

Pleased it helped you Inver ((hugs)) xx

I also have this book, keeping it to take on holiday, erm with a few others 8-)


Wabbit x :wave:

[Michelle]

Yea, I might make it a holiday read. :)

[Inver]

Thanks everyone....it was strange how I ended up having the book. I had put it on my Christmas list and hubby had bought it for me then my mum died on the 21st Dece 2004 and I ended up reading it over Christmas....weird it was, but comforting at the same time. If you have read the book you might understand what I mean :?

[Lilywhite]

This is my next read, I'm quite looking forward to it now. It was a bit of a whim swap :)

[Kell]

Hope you enjoy it, Kat. :)

[magdadh]

I intended to read that but after getting VERY disappointed by 'Lessons with Morrie' gave up.

[Sofia]

enjoyed this book also (five people you meet in heaven) good story, not a long book either....good weekend one. I also enjoyed the movie they made about it. :)

[Lilywhite]

I loved this book. Lovely story and a real thought provoker.

[muggle not]

I can't believe that I haven't posted on this topic. I really enjoyed the book. Good story and good writing.

[Marilou]

Such a healing book for anyone who has lost a loved one.One of My favourite books. Loved it. Cried, thought, smiled and felt a whirlwind of emotions, it was like a rollercoaster ride! 10 out of 10. Don't be put off by slow start.

[~V~]

it was like a rollercoaster ride!

clever :mrgreen:

[Gyre]

Great review Kell :D

I read this book about a year ago and I loved it, and like so many others it helped me as well. It was a wonderful story and the characters, especially Eddie, were excellent.

[~V~]

i'm watching tesdays with morrie at the moment

was surprised to come across it on bbc2 just as it started :)

[Liz]

I've read the book TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.
I really enjoyed it. Gives you a lot to think about.
I've also got the film, which is good as well.

[Paul]

I loved this book but, then again, I am a sentimental old softie.

[Sugar]

Thanks for this review, Kell - I read it when you first posted and have since read the book as a result. Really enjoyed it - lent it to my nan as well, and she keeps saying that she will be sat in the kitchen doing a puzzle and her mind wanders to "poor old Eddie!" I think she enjoyed it too!

[Kell]

Glad you enjoyed it too, Sugar. :)

[angerball]

I read this book recently. It was a nice quick uplifting read. :) I found it to be an interesting premise, and was especially touched by the last person he met. :cry2:

[Maureen]

I just finished this book and loved it. Kell has written a wonderful review - there is not much I can add. It makes you think how you can alter someone's life without you even trying. Eddie is so wonderfully described - I felt him come alive - almost like an old uncle.

...............I wonder who my 5 people are!

[Margo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Whispers1/Books/41RJ6TYB83L_SS500_.jpg
Author: Mitch Albom
ISBN: 0751536822
Genre: general Fiction
Pages: 231
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere


With the recent passing of my father, this is one book I 'needed' to read. I was gob smacked my eldest son even thought about buying me this book for xmas, let alone actually surprising me with it on xmas day.

This was a wonderful little book, with a lot of meaning to it. It helps you to understand why certain things happen to you in life, and how we are all connected.

This book is basically about a man who dies, and is met by five people, who in some way affected how he lived his life. Some are family while others are strangers. I really can't go on to tell you more, as you have to read it for yourselves. All I can say is, I found the book left me wanting more. I wish the book had been bigger so I could go on reading. It's a light read and some people would finish it in a day.

It's a very comforting read and one worth having in your book pile to be read.

[~V~]

I loved this book Margo and have his latest on Mount TBR.

However, I do think this book has its own thread somewhere, I could be wrong of course as I'm sure you had a look first :)

[Michelle]

Your link is for a Lost related page! ;)
But you are correct, so I will merge the reviews. :)

[~V~]

Your link is for a Lost related page! ;)
But you are correct, so I will merge the reviews. :)

Oh poo! :blush:

My cordless keyboard obviously ignored me and decided to keep the last one. Bah!

Thank you Michelle :friends0:

[muggle not]

I read the book years ago but think it is time for a re-read. It is a very enjoyable book.

[Margo]

Your link is for a Lost related page! ;)
But you are correct, so I will merge the reviews. :)
Oops sorry about that. I did do a search but it didn't come up with anything, I guess I didn't search very well. :blush:

[Michelle]

No problem Margo :) I searched for 'Albom' and it brought up the previous thread. It's nice to see you again, btw. :D

[Spooncat]

Loved this book thought it was very moving at times :readingtwo:

[Janet]

I enjoyed this book - I think it's an interesting idea for a story - but I felt that the characters lacked depth.

I would recommend it as a novel for when you want to read something undemanding and I can see how it could be a comfort for people who have suffered a bereavement. If this is what heaven is like then it's something to look forward to! :)

7/10

[Inver]

I read this not long after my mum died and it kinda helped me through it a bit. :cry:

Thanks everyone....it was strange how I ended up having the book. I had put it on my Christmas list and hubby had bought it for me then my mum died on the 21st Dece 2004 and I ended up reading it over Christmas....weird it was, but comforting at the same time. If you have read the book you might understand what I mean :?

I would recommend it as a novel for when you want to read something undemanding and I can see how it could be a comfort for people who have suffered a bereavement.
7/10
As you can see that is how I felt Janet...glad you enjoyed it though.

[Ruth]

I loved this book, and Inver, I certainly agree that it can be a great comfort. I read it not long after a 10 day period in which an old boyfriend (who I had stayed friends with), and then my father-in-law died, both unexpectedly. I did find the book to be a comfort. I have For One More Day on my tbr, but goodness only knows when I will get around to it!

[FishAndChips]

Looking forward to this - hoping to get it for xmas :)

[RoxiS.C.]

Thought this was a great book. Really good read.

I agree with what somebody said about the characters somewhat lacking depth, but I think the story concept carries you through.

Would also scream at anyone who liked this book to read Albom's "Tuesdays With Morrie."

[landevale]

I just finished this book. I was looking for something comforting and pleasant to read on a long flight, and this book fit the bill perfectly. As a few others have mentioned in this thread, it is not an intellectually demanding book, by any means, but I found it to be relaxing and soothing. I particularly liked the idea of the interconnectivity of lives. All in all, though, I'm not sure this would be a book I would choose to read if I weren't especially looking for something fluffy and undemanding.

Now I'm moving on to Lord of the Flies, so that I can promptly disturb myself again and undo the soothing work that The Five People You Meet in Heaven did. haha

[RoxiS.C.]

I saw The Five People in Eason's yesterday, nearly picked up a copy but didn't coz I can't really afford it right now.

And I saw Tuesdays With Morrie (same author, better book) in my college bookshop two weeks ago, and didn't pick that up either *sigh*

Is Mitch Albom like, a particular christmas favourite or something? :p

[BookBee8]

I really like this book. I've read 'Tuesdays with Morrie' and 'For one more day' also by him but this one was my favourite :)