This is one of those books, and indeed one of those authors, that get hyped up an awful lot. Mitch Albom's first bestseller 'Tuesdays With Morrie' is taught in high school curriculum around the world and is one of the best selling memoirs of all time. This follow-up novel, released six years after 'Tuesdays', was an immediate success and has even been adapted into a TV movie. I personally like it despite the hype, and I'd love to explain exactly why that is.
The Five People You Meet In Heaven is an unconventional story about an 83 year old man called Eddie, a World War II veteran who now works at a seaside amusement park fixing rides. He lives a fairly lonely life and we learn a few details of his basic way of life - then we witness his death. Eddie attempts to save the life of a young girl who is about to be crushed by a falling fairground ride, and unfortunately is crushed himself in the process.
Well, I did say it was unconventional. If you hadn't guessed from this information and the title, the main body of the book presents an alternative version of the traditional life-after-death story. The idea is that Eddie must meet five people who have impacted his life in a major way before he can progress to his own personal heaven, in order to understand his life properly and the impact it has had on those around him. Each person teaches him a different lesson about life and helps him on his way to making peace with what he has been through and what his life meant to the people he loved.
I love the concept of this book, it's a really unique take on heaven. Most of the people Eddie encounters are people he did not expect and had no idea how their lives connected, showing just how important it is to remember that everyone's lives are intertwined even if it's not immediately apparent. Eddie is doubtful that his life has been important, but he soon realises that he has had a far bigger impact than he could have ever known. My favourite person that he meets is a woman named Ruby who Eddie has never met in person, but comes to realise that it is the woman who the fairground he works at was built in honour of. She helps him realise his issues with his father and forgive him for all the hurt he caused his son, a very touching scene.
The reason I haven't rated this book higher however, is that despite enjoying the message of the book, i'm not a massive fan of how it chooses to convey that message. The symbolism is very heavy handed and about as subtle as a brick in most parts, which is quite distracting and takes away some of the emotion of the story itself. I have read Tuesdays With Morrie as well and I have to admit, I preferred that for an emotionally devastating read and found that the philosophical life lessons in that were much easier to digest It's all personal preference though, I personally prefer subtle symbolism that takes more work to figure out on your own.
Overall, The Five People You Meet In Heaven is a touching and unique, but stylistically flawed novel with some brilliant ideas on the nature of death and the importance of life. I like the concept a lot and I enjoy the ending of the book quite a bit, but it's all just a bit heavy handed for me.
I would give this book 3.5 stars out of 5
- Natalie
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