Rating: 
Summary: Metaphysically connecting the dots
Review: If you're looking for a good afterlife fantasy that is neither overly sentimental nor religiously bombastic, then I think you'll really enjoy this novel.While within the heaven of each of his antagonists, the protagonist Eddie -- who's led a "meaningless" life -- comes to appreciate that his earthly actions have had a ripple effect that he could not have predicted. Particularly moving, in my opinion, was the opening tale about the man with the blue skin; it is the most succinct example of the novel's theme. Particularly gruesome, in my opinion, was the author's description of war; the effect is necessary, however, to convey the physical and mental abuse inflicted upon soldiers in battle. Particularly enjoyable, in my opinion, was the author's technique of using subtle plots twists; these give the reader brief "aha" moments throughout the book. In a climate where New Age spirituality and fundamentalist Christianity are engaged in an appalling conflict to brainwash the reading public, this book stands out as an example of level-headed literature which, I think, is quite ironic for a fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational in a realistic way.
Review: I received this book, shocked by how short it was. I read it in under two hours, gripped by the concept Mitch Albom had about what heaven might be like. I hope he's right, because this is a beautiful idea of a possible afterlife. I would accept death peacefully, instead of fearing it, if Albom's theory turned out to be precise. This is the story of an elderly man's journey through his first step in heaven. He learned many lessons taught by people who had effected his life in various ways and had passed away before he had. I feel like I was lucky to learn the same lessons he learned, almost as if this book was a gift from God himself. I don't typically read self-help or spiritual books, and I wouldn't place this novel in either category. It is purely fictional, and introduces a very unique question that grabs both you and the elderly man. This question isn't answered until the end. Many times I wanted to read the last few pages to get the answer to the question, but I felt like I would have cheated myself and the knowledge that I gained by reading every page and not skipping to the end. It is a light book, not filled with deep thoughts or throbbing feeling. I'm also not a serious reader, usually chick literature and comedic nonfiction are all that I indulge in. This was recommended to me by a friend who teaches Psychology at Columbia University. I have to thank her, for now I will always immediately take her advice on any book, despite my initial hesitance.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Lizzie Horton,reader:
This is a fantastically well written novel-showing that though you think your life meant nothing and that you were nothing, that is not the case. You do touch those around you. Deeply so. This book is high on emotion and takes makes you wonder about your own life and just what will be waiting for you.
Also recommending: Life Of Pi, Shes's Come Undone,Color Purple,Nightmares Echo
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected but still a good book,
Review: This book was a good book, make no mistake about it. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. But don't take my word for it buy the book and judge for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Better to purchase Lovely Bones
Review: This book seems to feed off of the novel that proceeded it Lovely Bones. The book is far to short for a recommendation to buy it. Just head down to Borders if you are that interested in it and you will have it knocked out in about an hour.
Rating:
Summary: The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Review: The Five People You Meet In Heaven was a wonderful book. This book was a book about a man who thought his life was worthless. He worked at an amusement park. Eddie would walk around the park, making sure that all of the carts were secure on the rides. One day, this day being his last birthday, Eddie was killed by saving a girl's life from a falling cart. Eddie went to heaven. In heaven he met five people, that changed his life. This book makes you think about making an impact on other people's lives. The Five People You Meet In Heaven was a touching book.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good.
Review: This was a simple book with a simple theme. It was a very quick read that most can probably finish in a day. It wasn't the best book I ever read, but I liked the ideas presented in the book nonetheless. It made me think that no matter what we think of our own lives, we really never do know how we have impacted other people's lives and to a certain extent how others have effected our lives. It's a nice thought that once we die, we meet people in heaven who finally teach us how we mattered during our lives. This book is definitely good if you are looking for a good short read that doesn't get too complicated yet presents an endearing story.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading in a short format
Review: I read this book in an afternoon. I enjoyed it a lot. It made you think about our role here in life, our reason for being, and how we impact others...quite insightful. I grew up in a town a few blocks from an amusement pier, so for me, the descriptions of that brought back memories. Good character development. If you lost a husband or wife lately, you may find some comfort in this book.
Rating:
Summary: The friends you knew, and the strangers you will meet
Review: I really liked this book. When I first got this book, I just couldn't put it down. The story was about a guy named Eddie, a maintainer for the rides at Ruby Pier, that died on his birthday, by saving this little girl's life from a falling cart. Everything happened so fast so he didn't know if he saved the girl's life or not. When he went to heaven, he met five people that was very important in his own life. Some people are not who you would expect they would be, and all five tought a lesson to Eddie. Read this book because it is very good!!!
Rating:
Summary: Something only heaven can unfold
Review: Eddie had devoted his entire life fixing rides at Ruby Pier amusement park. Though he had witnessed the vicissitude of the park and was enamored by the children to whom he brought much joy, Eddie felt trapped in a meaningless life. He had outlived his wife Marguerite, who died of brain tumor at the age of 47, and most of his family and friends. Rooted deep in his heart was an unbearable bitterness with which he intransigently held his father accountable for his loss of career, loss of freedom, and the loss of hope. On his 83rd birthday, Eddie died in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart that was snapped loose from the cable. His last earthly vision consisted of two mysteriously hands resting on his body. Eddie awakened in the afterlife and learned that heaven was a place where five people who were in it explained his earthly life to him. Five people presented to him five patches of memories that were crucial in unleashing the truth of hidden connections in Eddie's life. As the story unfolded, Eddie met his lineup of five people, of whom were loved ones and distant strangers, who each taught him a lesson and words of truth that changed his life forever. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a beguiling novel that blooms with surprises as it explores a mystery only heaven can unfold. It explores the meaning of our lives on earth and how lives and their incidences overlap with those of others. It explores the boundary where fortuities become no longer fortuitous but converge with daily incidences. Heaven holds the secret that one affects the other and the other affects the next, in a circle, in a loop, in which all endings are also beginnings. 2004 (22) © MY
| 
