The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Rating:
Summary: One of the best in a long time
Review: We're all searching for answers, especially in today's world with the myriad problems we have, and this is all the more reason to experience "The Five People." No, Mitch Albom doesn't have all the answers (who does?) but he's made a valiant attempt to try and explain some things in this little book. The writing isn't literary (like McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood" or "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings") but rather it is simple in approach. But lest the reader think this is a simple book, think again. Albom has given us a remarkable book that is part "It's a Wonderful Life" part "Christmas Carol." Inspirational and heart warming, this is the type of thing you'll want to give for a Christmas present or at least pass along to your friends.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting premise, thought-provoking, and sincere . . .
Review: Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is one of those books that's easy to read and makes for a nice break from larger, more imposing novels. It possesses a brisk pace (about a 2-3 day read, though I read it in a day), and the writing style is simple and easy to get behind. This is really a book that almost anyone with a comprehension of the English language could read and enjoy. When some authors write in a simplistic, 'broken-down' style, I become infuriated (re: James Patterson), but with Albom, and with this book, it just seems to work. Even for those individuals who don't seem to find themselves to be religious, this is a book that, in reading, they'll get something out of. I believe there to be a Heaven, and hope that Albom has stumbled upon the true version in his book. The depicted Heaven seems like a perfect place, explaining to you your purpose in life, and the impact you made on five important people. I can't see anything more pristine than that. However, with all that said, the book is at times a bit over-the-top and a tad bit preachy. It's an enjoyable read, but don't expect too much out of it.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read in a While
Review: This is the best book that I've read in a while. I was afraid it would be a very spiritual book because of the title, but it really focused on the story and not so much on religion. The author really developed the characters well, and I felt like the ending was a surprise, although other people that I discussed the book with were did not find it as surprising as I did. This is a good story for an afternoon read. It only took me about 2 hours to finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Lack of style compensated for by inspirational writing.
Review: I am a recent high school graduate and upon my departure one of my teachers gave me a copy of The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
I couldn't put it down. I read it in 3 short days (it's an easy read).
The book was insightful and very inspirational. It makes for a good "life's lessons" book. The book is based on the premise that "our lives are more important than we actually know." I did something with this book that I've never done, cried while reading. It teaches important lessons in life, love, loss, and sacrifice.
Albom's writing style is amazingly simple, I guess I'm too used to Shakespeare :)
The style isn't bad, it actually makes the book easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING...................
Review: I have read so many books over the years and none have shook my very soul like this one. It reminds us all that nothing is coincidental...........everything happens for a purpose........like it or not. Life is not by chance......we are all part of one big plan.

Rating:
Summary: AN EYE OPENER
Review: Eddie is the head of maintenance for the local carnival "RUBY PIER". As he's out walking through the park he sees that a ride is in trouble. He tells one of the operators to help the people out. After the riders are safe, he tells the other worker to cut the cable. As the cable is being cut. Eddie sees a little girl under the car that is getting ready to fall. He tries to get the attention of the other worker, but can not. So he tries to help the little girl out of the way. In the process Eddie is hit by the falling cart. He dies. He feels little hands in his hands.
Eddie wakes up in a tea cup. He realizes that he is at the carnival of his youth. His first instinct is to grab for his cane. But he does not need it. He feels great.His back does not hurt or his leg.He can run. He hasn't been able to run since the war. Eddie meets five people along the way. Five people who made difference in his life.
When you die who do you think you will meet along the way? This book will make you stop & think about "HEAVEN".

Rating:
Summary: Not very profound, but OK nonethteless
Review: The idea itself is novel: meeting five people whose lives in some ways, whether you know it or not, were related to yours. The book is extremely easy to read (and I am saying this as someone whose first language is not English). At times, the author changes his style of writing to a high school teacher-like style; way too much clarification for the obvious. Not much of a challenge for the brain!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: This book is fiction; something he dreamed up about a man who dies, goes to Heaven, and has introductions to five people who were in his life. The first, the middle and the last he had never met. And then there are his wife and the captain of his army squad. Everyone thinks they choose the people that are in their lives; school friends, camp friends, team friends, spouse/partner, children, coworkers. But how much do you really control about who plays major roles in your life? Not one bit. Do you control who the kids are in your neighborhood while you grow up? or, the man who picks up your trash? What happened when a bottle you trashed out the car window hit the ground? Or did it go backwards and hit a car behind you? Every action has a reaction...of some sort. I don't want to give away what happens, the book is short as it is. You learn that Heaven is personal; a fairgrounds for some, a diner for others. In this book, each person Eddie the dead meets tells him what happened to them because of Eddie (or, to someone who affected Eddie's life, like his father). It is all an effort to help Eddie understand why his life was as it was. Why was his father so abusive? Why would he be dreaming of children? What ever happened to his captain, and what is the story behind his bum leg? The horrors of war, the job he hates.... This is a glorious but sad story. Eddie understands everything, but isn't off the hook for things that happened (albeit he is in Heaven). This book is simply beautiful! Don't Miss it. Another winner is the Amazon quick-pick: The Losers Club by Richard Perez

Rating:
Summary: A book with good diction that is missing something...
Review: Entranced by "Tuesdays With Morrie", I bought this book the week it came out. I enjoyed it enough that I went through it really quickly, but I came out of it kind of unsatisfied, like having a meal without the main course- something was just missing. I went looking for the whatever it was, and found absolutely nothing when I reread the book.
Albom has some good descriptive language, and an original plot if you don't think about the cliched "This is your life"-type ideas. (Yes, that was sarcasm.) I really liked the book, and I think you will too, if you are considering buying it, but don't look to be totally fufilled at the end of this book. You'll find a small corner empty where there should be something.
Overall, this book got four stars from me on merit of language alone. While Albom does have a tendency to lapse into cliches, I enjoyed the descriptions greatly.
The verdict: buy this book, and read it when you've got time to contemplate things.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as you expect.
Review: Really a much lighter read than I wanted.