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This is a real departure for me, because I have been only reading science fiction and fantasy since the early 90’s. It is really a novella. Rather short at 196 pages, and rather small. About the size of a paperback, yet with big hardcover text. So why did I read it? Glad you asked. Because of the author, Mitch Albom.
Albom’s biggest claim to fame is being a sport columnist for the Detroit Free Press. He has won many awards for his writing in newsprint, and also appears on the “Sports Reports” on ESPN. You can read about him and his other accomplishments at his website. The thing is that he is not just a great sports writer. He is a great writer, period. His column usually runs from Monday to Friday in the Sports section (on the website too), then he contributes a non-sports column on Sunday. Needless to say, I have always enjoyed his work since I have been reading his column for years. So when I saw this book, even not being about sports or a genre I usually read, I was not hesitant whatsoever in purchasing it.
It is a really an interesting story. It was light, so it became an easy read for a vacation. (And seeing it was small, it was easy to carry.) But just because of it’s lack of size didn’t mean it was good. The story is about Eddie, a maintenance man at an amusement park that dies while trying to save an 8 year old girl. And on his way to Heaven, Eddie meets five people that he has some connection with. These five people better help him understand his life, why certain things happened, and be able to put away issues that haunted him during his life.
This story could have easily been twice the length. But even still, it told the story it needed to, and the story is the strength. Albom’s writing is very good. Again proving that he is a writer first and foremost who just happens to cover sports. It is a great, touching, quick read, that is well worth the read
9/10
