Book Review: "the Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom

Let me go ahead and admit that this is one of my favorite books that will always have a home on my bookshelf. I'm on my second copy of "the five people you meet in heaven," because I loaned it out to somebody and they didn't return it. I just reread it for the fourth or fifth time yesterday.

I normally don't notice the dedication in the front of the book anymore; because there is only so many times I can read this is for my mother, father, brother, sister, wife or some other loved one. This time I noticed the dedication, it was much longer the than usual so I stopped to read it. Mitch Albom dedicates this book to his uncle, Edward Beitchman, who used to tell everyone, every Thanksgiving an amazing true story, "he spoke of a night in the hospital when he awoke to see the souls of his departed loved ones sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for him." His uncle's story was the inspiration for this novel. As a writer, I love knowing where an author found the inspiration for his story. I'm going to start reading dedications again.

The main character is Eddie, who is in charge of maintaining all the rides at Ruby Pier, an amusement park by the ocean. He inherited his job from his father. Since Eddie grew up at Ruby Pier watching his father get dirty and greasy every day, he couldn't wait until he was old enough to get away from Ruby Pier. Eddie doesn't think he has done much with his life and at times is pretty disgusted by how he is still stuck at Ruby Pier doing what his father had done before him. He doesn't realize that by just being at Ruby Pier and doing a good job that he has touched many lives; both by how he entertains the kids by creating pipe cleaner animals and by keeping the equipment running smoothly he has saved many lives, but he only sees the dirt and grease under his nails.

"the five people you meet in heaven" starts at a strange place: with Eddie's death on his 83rd birthday. I don't remember any other book I have read that started with the main character's death. In fact the first chapter is called "The End." The first paragraph is "This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time." I already like this book for reminding me that the end of one thing is the beginning of another.

I love books that make me think and this one had my open mind stretching, growing and tumbling over itself to take in the author's message. Instead of telling you what the book is about and spoiling it for you, I'm going to tell you my take on the author's message. "The five people you meet in heaven" is about learning how we all are connected to one another whether we know it or not. Coincidences aren't coincidences; they are part of some synchronized arrangement to make sure that we all meet or not people we were supposed to, and be at the place we need to be at the right and perfect time. Whether it is a positive or negative experience, we touch each other's lives each and everyday whether we know it or not.

Bottom line: If you haven't already read it, go now to read this book. "the five people you meet in heaven" is well written and thought provoking, plus you will get to meet Eddie and learn what kind of life Eddie really led when he was still among us.

Other Book Reviews by Genie Walker:
Nonfiction:
"How to Retire Happy" by Stan Hinden
"Living Gluten Free for Dummies" by Danna Korn
"Medical Myths That Can Kill You: And the 101 Truths That Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life" by Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D.
"More Than Enough: The 10 Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny" by Dave Ramsey
"The Real Meaning of Life" edited by David Seaman
"Three Weeks With My Brother" by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks

Fiction:
"At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks
"Blow Out" by Catherine Coulter
"Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning
"The Husband" by Dean Koontz
" Metro Girl" by Janet Evanovich
"The Mulberry Tree" by Jude Deveraux
"Murder on a Bad Hair Day" by Anne George
"Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz
"One" by Richard Bach
"The Remains of the Dead" by Wendy Roberts
"Sam's Letters to Jennifer" by James Patterson