The Five People You Meet in Heaven Review
i liked this book a lot and could not put it down, literally; devoured in one insomniatic sitting. here, mr. albom delivers a "novel" perspective on life after death. the theme is that, when you cross over, you will encounter five key people (some of whom you did not actually meet on earth) who impacted your life, and who will provide you with insights into your own life's experiences from which valuable principles of spirituality can be drawn. to be sure, the principles taught to eddie (the main character) when he crosses over, are not all that revelatory for anyone already immersed in spirituality. however, they are certainly well worth remembering (e.g., holding onto anger is poisonous). i especially liked the way mr. albom connected the principles of spirituality to eddie's own life experiences, reflecting the idea that experience is the best teacher. and i thoroughly enjoyed mr. albom's presentations of "heaven."
some of the reviews here mentioned not liking the ending, but for me that was the best part. indeed the fifth and final character that eddie meets, and the story she told, moved me tremendously.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Feature
- ISBN13: 9781401391348
- Condition: New
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The Five People You Meet in Heaven Overview
THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN is a wonderfully moving fable that addresses the meaning of life, and life after death, in the poignant way that made TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE such an astonishing book. The novel's protagonist is an elderly amusement park maintenance worker named Eddie who, while operating a ride called the 'Free Fall', dies while trying to save a young girl who gets in the way of a falling cart that hurtles to earth. Eddie goes to heaven, where he meets five people who were unexpectedly instrumental in some way in his life. While each guide takes him through heaven, Eddie learns a little bit more about what his time on earth meant, what he was supposed to have learned, and what his true purpose on earth was. Throughout there are dramatic flashbacks where we see scenes from his troubled childhood, his years in the army in the Philippines jungle, and with his first and only love, his wife Marguerite. THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN is the perfect book to follow TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE. Its compellingly affecting themes and lyrical writing will fascinate Mitch Albom's huge readership.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Specifications
Part melodrama and part parable, Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven weaves together three stories, all told about the same man: 83-year-old Eddie, the head maintenance person at Ruby Point Amusement Park. As the novel opens, readers are told that Eddie, unsuspecting, is only minutes away from death as he goes about his typical business at the park. Albom then traces Eddie's world through his tragic final moments, his funeral, and the ensuing days as friends clean out his apartment and adjust to life without him. In alternating sections, Albom flashes back to Eddie's birthdays, telling his life story as a kind of progress report over candles and cake each year. And in the third and last thread of the novel, Albom follows Eddie into heaven where the maintenance man sequentially encounters five pivotal figures from his life (a la A Christmas Carol). Each person has been waiting for him in heaven, and, as Albom reveals, each life (and death) was woven into Eddie's own in ways he never suspected. Each soul has a story to tell, a secret to reveal, and a lesson to share. Through them Eddie understands the meaning of his own life even as his arrival brings closure to theirs.
Albom takes a big risk with the novel; such a story can easily veer into the saccharine and preachy, and this one does in moments. But, for the most part, Albom's telling remains poignant and is occasionally profound. Even with its flaws, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a small, pure, and simple book that will find good company on a shelf next to It's A Wonderful Life. --Patrick O'Kelley
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Customer Reviews
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - vintageballad -
I haven't finished it yet, but I really liked the beginning. Mitch Albom has a way of getting the attentions of the readers of his books. I couldn't stop reading the first couple "chapters" until I found out what happened.
Beautifully Written - happy pen -
This book has been my favorite book for over 8 years. Since the day I opened it's pages, I've been in love with this story. It's my favorite book to recommend for any kind of reader. It will open your mind! A definite MUST READ!
An interesting and intriguing book - Ronnie Lee - Hong Kong
This book was fun to read. My friend told me about this book and so I bought it. The title intrigued me to find out whom the main character would meet in heaven. I read the book in one night. The storyline is exceptionally interesting and I was satisfied after finishing the book.
Very thought provoking - PeaceCloud -
This is the book our bookclub selectd. It is so much fun to discuss the points or character from different view. The writing style is very easy to read. Well done.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 23, 2010 11:45:05
