Kell Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahrob Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I read this not long after my mum died and it kinda helped me through it a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sillywabbit Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Yea, I might make it a holiday read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 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 :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 This is my next read, I'm quite looking forward to it now. It was a bit of a whim swap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 14, 2006 Author Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hope you enjoy it, Kat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magdadh Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I intended to read that but after getting VERY disappointed by 'Lessons with Morrie' gave up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofia Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I loved this book. Lovely story and a real thought provoker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I can't believe that I haven't posted on this topic. I really enjoyed the book. Good story and good writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilou Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~V~ Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 it was like a rollercoaster ride! clever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Great review Kell 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~V~ Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 i'm watching tesdays with morrie at the moment was surprised to come across it on bbc2 just as it started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I loved this book but, then again, I am a sentimental old softie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Glad you enjoyed it too, Sugar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~V~ Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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