Who Would Like This Book:
Mitch Albom’s novel beautifully explores the idea that even an ordinary life can leave an extraordinary impact. With a relatable, down-to-earth protagonist and a unique afterlife premise, it pulls at your heartstrings in all the right ways - without feeling manipulative or overly sentimental. The writing is simple yet profound, filled with memorable quotes and gentle wisdom. If you enjoy soulful reads that prompt self-reflection and ponder the meaning of life, this one's for you. Perfect for fans of uplifting, thought-provoking fiction or anyone who enjoyed books like 'It’s A Wonderful Life.'
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the book a bit too sentimental or simplistic for their tastes, with life lessons that felt heavy-handed or familiar. If you’re looking for gritty realism, complex literary prose, or fast-paced action, you might find this story a bit predictable or slow, and the moral messages a bit obvious. Also, those who prefer clear-cut depictions of the afterlife or who are skeptical of fable-like storytelling may struggle to connect.
About:
'The Five People You Meet in Heaven' by Mitch Albom follows the journey of Eddie, an 82-year-old man who dies trying to save a little girl. In heaven, he meets five people who demonstrate that his life had more meaning and impact than he had realized. Through these encounters, Eddie learns valuable lessons about interconnectedness, the importance of every life, and the hidden influences people can have on one another. is described as a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the deeper meanings behind our actions and relationships.
The writing style of the book is often praised for being quick, easy to read, and engaging. Readers appreciate the creative premise, the emotional depth of the characters, and the way the narrative prompts reflection on one's own life and relationships. While some find the book to be light and lacking in substance, many readers are drawn to its themes of interconnectedness, redemption, and the idea that every life has a purpose and impact on others.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of death, war trauma, personal regrets, and emotional grief which may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up.
Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who has lived, in his mind, an uninspired life. His job is fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. On his 83rd birthday, a tragic accident kills him as he tries to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakes in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a destination. It s a place where your life is explained to you by five people, some of whom you knew, others who may have been strangers. One by one, from childhood to soldier to old age, Eddie s five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his meaningless life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: Why was I here?
A moving and profound contemporary fable, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is an important reminder of the interconnectedness of us all.
Ratings (80)
Incredible (14) | |
Loved It (33) | |
Liked It (14) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (5) |
Reader Stats (140):
Read It (84) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (42) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (11) |
2 comment(s)
A book that wants readers to believe that that a bitter old man will magically understand/accept events that have shaped his whole life.
Not worth the read. I picked it up thinking that Albom would put an interesting spin on heaven. Instead I walked away thinking that Albom does not understand the way human deal with relationships and tragedies. He spends 15 pages telling a stores that Eddie accepts/forgives in a paragraph.
Don't waste your time.
I saw a tv movie of this book starring Jon Voight and Michael Imperioli and absolutely loved it. This is one of those rare cases where the movie was better than the book. The fantasy aspect seemed to work better on the screen, and the film wasn't as preachy and saccharine as the book.
What can you read after
The Five People You Meet in Heaven: A Fable?
About the Author:
Mitch Albom is the author of numerous books of fiction and nonfiction, which have collectively sold more than forty million copies in forty-seven languages worldwide. He has written seven number-one New York Times bestsellers, award-winning TV films, stage plays, screenplays, a nationally syndicated…
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