A review by dohertys17
The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom

inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

SpoilerNote: This was one of my late grandma's favorite books and I read it this month to celebrate her birthday.

Likes:
- Quick, easy read
- Not overly preachy/God toned language
- Liked the theme of someone who is unhappy with where they are in the world being able to come to terms with their life and find some sort of meaning.
- Learned that Kewpie was originally plastic dolls and not just Japanese mayo hahah

Dislikes:
- I kept forgetting that Eddie was in his 80s. The way he was portrayed made him seem like he was much younger. Also, I feel that he likely had some time to reflect during his aging process and not be so shocked by his death (although it was caused by a horrific accident)
- The 5-year-old Asian girl somehow knew English but not well enough to speak properly. Find it sort of sad that the main/only POC character in this book was portrayed this way (especially in the magical world of heaven)
- Throughout the book I felt like I was being told how to feel rather than feeling it for myself.
- His relationship with Margueritte felt unhealthy, as if he idolized her, yet we don't find out that she has died until near the very end. Why was he not looking forward to potentially meeting her in heaven?
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