Rating: 
Summary: Moving
Review: First of all, I think that Mitch Albom really meant this book to be more "food for thought" than something to be taken literally. Hence some of the other reviewer's disappointment. Yes, he probably did try and make us cry and manipulate us to an extent, but then he's an author--that what they do! Forget the hype surrounding this book and the "other" Mitch Albom book and read it for what it is: a sweet, short, heart-warming little piece of fiction. And I'm not sure I agree with some of the other reviews that this is reminiscent of "Christmas Carol" as it is totally different. Would also recommend another wonderful read: Jackson McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. While nothing like THE FIVE PEOPLE, it is worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Listened to unabriged audio and nearly cried in the car
Review: Though there have been hundreds of reviews written for this novel and my review will likely be buried among those reviews never to be seen, I feel compelled to write this review anyway ...I borrowed the unabridged audio version of this book from my local library. It's a short novel told in very few audio cassettes so I thought it would be a quick easy story to listen to on my daily commute to work. Though it was completed in a few days commute, it wasn't so easy - I found myself wanting to sit in the parking lot on arrival to work to listen to more and then looked forward to listening to more of it at the end of the work day on my commute home. If you read this with book in hand, you would never want to put it down. This is the story of Eddie, chief maintenance person at Ruby Pier amusement park. He thinks his life has been a waste, that he hasn't impacted anyone. At the beginning of the story we meet the elderly Eddie, sad, lonely Eddie. He makes the rides safe for everyone, except one day something goes terribly wrong. In one last heroic act in his sad life, Eddie throws himself in front of a runaway roller coaster to save the life of a little girl who becomes caught on the track. But did he save her? Eddie's death is so sudden that he doesn't know if he saved her or not ... and neither do we. Eddie procedes on his path in heaven meeting five key people throughout this engaging, heartwrenching story. It is told in a series of flashbacks through the eyes of those five people. The story is crafted so well and so beautifully that you may wish it was longer. I listened to the last portions of the story of Eddie's life and death with more than a slight glimmer of tears in my eyes. It is such a beautiful story that it will touch your very soul and leave a mark there forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Gather the kiddies on your knee
Review: It makes me laugh out loud every time I read some earnest review condemning this book to the trash -- because it's like people complaining that A Christmas Carol or It's A Wonderful Life stink as pieces of philosophy or art. Like these two classics, THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN is a great story to share with the family. The message simple but relevant, the hero an ordinary man who never saw his life was worth anything... and who doesn't feel like that from time to time? If you desperately need a deeper look at the human condition and our place in the universe, then I suggest you check out Peter Hillary's excellent IN THE GHOST COUNTRY which was described recent;y by the esteemed Sydney Morning Herald newspaper as ``a superb dialogue on human frailty.'' Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Simple but sweet
Review: Its not the best book ever but it is just a really fast, good read that leaves the reader feeling happy. I enjoyed it but its not a book i would read over over again. If you want a short fast read that leaves you feeling happy this is the book for you but beware that there is little substance for the sophisticated reader.
Rating:
Summary: Five People Get Four Stars
Review: "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom, is a story about the beginning of the end of the main character, Eddie's, after life. He goes through heaven meeting five people and learning five lessons. These lessons supposed to allow him to understand his life on Earth. The book has some strong points and very few weaknesses. Its strong points include the character development. You are able to see the character unfold through short sub stories. But, as it is a strong point it is also its weak point. Its weak because it gives the story a stop and start feeling and kind of side tracks you. Overall this is a must read book.
Rating: 
Summary: A great lesson to learn, yet too easy
Review: This story delivers what it promises. It's easy to read, and not recommended by me for people who are in search of a challenge. This simple, easy to read book, took me less than an evening to complete. First of all, I believe the plot was a little weak in most of the book and stronger in other places. In some chapters, the author seemed to just ramble on. Here is the a short outline of the book. A man (Eddie) passes a way, and learns a valuable lesson from five people he meets in heaven. He finds that heaven is not just a lush garden, but five people who affected your life and they explain the meaning of your life. I found myself getting lost some parts, and getting bored in others. It seemed to even out to become just at a rating of OK, because I found the book a precious lesson to learn by all people. As I have said before, this book is not recommended by me for people who enjoy challenging novels. It wasn't as thought-provoking as I imagined.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book to Read
Review: The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a fast-read that goes through and teaches life lessons. It was a good book, with simplistic writing, and easy concepts to understand. It makes you think on how the world works and who you have affected in your life. This book was emotional at times, and really got you into the book. The reason I rated this book a four because the book lacked excitement in some parts of the story where I just got bored and tired of reading, but overall it was a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful little book
Review: The main character in this book is Eddie, an 83-year-old man who still works at an amusement park called Ruby's Pier, doing maintenance on the rides. He is a lonely and bitter man, limping on a leg which was wounded during the war and mourning the loss of his beloved wife 36 years before. He dies soon after the book begins and begins his entry into heaven by meeting and talking to five people whose lives were entwined with his in ways he never dreamed. Eddy learns about love, life, and forgiveness and most importantly, he learns what the purpose of his life was. This is a lovely little book which will touch your heart.
Rating:
Summary: A "Gotta Read Book"
Review: Someone recommended this book to me and spoke so highly of it that I was a bit skeptical as a critical reader. But the story is so well-told and thought-provoking that I could not put it down. I'd previously been recommended (at last a dozen times) "Tuesday's With Morrie," but thought "yada yada yada," but now, after reading "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," I can't wait to read it, and am off to order it ...
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: The book has large print, it failed to deliver a decent plot, and it was written for those who can't be bothered to think. Just one of those books written quickly for a fast buck. On the best seller list? I still can't figure out why. Save your $ and read it from the library. It will only take you 30 minutes to read it all.
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