Synopsis:

From the author of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, a novel that explores the unexpected connections of our lives, and the idea that heaven is more than a place; it’s an answer.

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?”

Personal Thoughts:

Rating:

Review written on May 6, 2013

This, I must say, is one of the most unpredictable book I’ve read so far!

It is so moving and life-changing. It made me realize a lot of things, made me realize that no life is wasted and that each and everything has a reason for happening. Each person whom you’ve met or crossed paths with, have a specific role in your life. No matter how long or short the times you’ve spent with them.

The five people Eddie met in heaven not only changed Eddie’s life, but the life of its readers. I, in some ways, really saluted Mitch Albom even more for this book. I never thought it’d give me this feeling.

The Blue Man’s story was just so terrifying yet it made me smile at the end because he managed to be happy and contented with his life. The Captain’s story made me realize that sacrifices aren’t only for the people we sacrifice for, but for ourselves as well because we gain something from it. Ruby’s story somehow shocked me and made me realize that friendship is greater than anything and that forgiveness is always the key for peacefulness. Marguerite’s story made me smile and realize that people die, but love doesn’t. You may not see that person anymore but love remains forever. And Tala. Tala’s story just filled up the missing pieces in the story. She made me realize that we are all different strangers yet all of us are interconnected.