I wonder who I will meet in Heaven? (The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom)

Member Name: nickyturnill

Product:	The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
Date:	03/02/06 (733 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A lovely and touching story.

Disadvantages: It was over too soon.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
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I have never read a book before that starts at the end of someone's life.

This is what author, Mitch Albom has successfully managed in 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven'. The story tells the tale of 83 year old Eddie. Head of maintenance at Ruby Point Amusement Park.

The book starts with a countdown towards unsuspecting Eddie's imminent death.

Eddie goes around the amusement park doing the mundane chores he does everyday, unaware that in 43 minutes his life will be over. He sits down on a deck chair on the beach and surveys the view, unaware that his life will be over in 27 minutes....

Eddie's life ends in a tragic fairground accident in which he tries to save the life of a little girl. Albom details Eddie's funeral, and the ensuing days as friends clean out his apartment and adjust to life without him.

Meanwhile Eddie has awoken in a mysterious place. He is at Ruby Pier but not as it was when he left it. Ruby pier is empty and still. What's more all of the modern day rides from the time of his death have gone. It is the Ruby Pier from his childhood. Eddie's body feels new and light, like a childs. His leg, damaged in the war, is free from pain and he can run again, run along the beach. Feeling free.

It is here that Eddie meets the blue man. The first of five people he will meet in heaven. The blue man is a figure from Eddie's childhood. He was a freak in the fair's freak show. He has come to Eddie to help him to understand the purpose of his own life. To allow him to find peace within himself.

Eddie then meets four other people who have been symbolic in his life in some way. It is a journey into his heaven and a lovely one at that.

My Opinion.
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The Five People you Meet in Heaven is a wonderful book and well written book which I read this week in one sitting. It is a touching book, that brought tears to my eyes at points and made me smile and laugh in others. It really made me think about life and death and how the little things you do can affect and influence the lives of others.

The book has been criticised for being 'over sentimental' which maybe it is. But frankly I really liked this about it and I don't think I am alone in that opinion given the other top ratings this book has received.

Since I have read The Five People You Meet in Heaven a couple of friends have asked me if the book was a 'sad' one or if it was 'depressing'. It isn't, it is a sweet and innocent portrayal of the after-life. It is a little sad but only in a touching and thought provoking way. The prose os generally light hearted, it never gets too heavy.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and I would really like to read it again in the future. It is suitable for anyone of all ages and it is only short so it won't eat into your time. Easily five out of five for this beautiful story.

The Movie.
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The Five People You Meet in Heaven has also been filmed for ABC, starring Jon Voight, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Imperioli and Jeff Daniels. I haven't seen the film but I would like to. If you are interested in learning more then please see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0400435/

About the Book.
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Hardcover: 198 pages
Publisher: Hyperion (September, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN: 0786868716

The book is retailed at £5.99.

A parody of the book, called The Five People You Meet in Hell by Jeff Pablum is also available.

About the Author.
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Mitch Albom was born in New Jersey in 1958. He graduated with a B.A. in sociology from Brandeis University in 1979, his M.J. in 1981 and his M.B.A. in 1982 from Columbia University. In addition to writing, Mitch Albom hosts two radio talk shows.
The Mitch Albom Show which is now in its ninth year and The Monday Sports Albom, which is now in its nineteenth year.


Other Novels by Mitch Albom.
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Mitch Albom also wrote the best selling book 'Tuesdays With Morrie' in 1997. A book I hope to have the pleasure to read in the near future. This book was New York Times bestseller which stayed atop the list for four years! In addition it has been filmed by ABC and aired in 1999 starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria. The movie earned four Emmy Awards in 2000.

Albom has also written a number of other novels although none have received acclaim like that of The Five People You Meet in Heaven and Tuesdays With Morrie.

Summary: A beautifully written and touching book. I loved it!.