Tolog Review: Five People You Meet in Heaven

Five People You Meet in Heaven
by Mitch Albom
reviewed by Ellis DeJardin 

Before reading this novel, one may assume that heaven is a castle in the clouds where everyone wears a pair of angel wings, wears long white robes, and is waited on, hand and foot. But after finishing the book, Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, it is quite possible that their perspective on heaven could have been greatly changed. 

Interestingly enough, this story begins with the end: Eddie’s death. Eddie’s lifetime was one of love, heroism, loneliness, and defeat. He overcame terrible feats like imprisonment and death of those closest to him, and he began to work at Ruby Pier after his wife Marguerite died. Although he married is long-time sweetheart and worked in an amusement park for a majority of his life, Eddie was never truly happy. His relationship with his father was rather unhealthy, and he had to constantly watch over his emotionally unstable mother. He always felt that there was a missing puzzle piece in his life

Once Eddie’s life is tragically ended, his mind became flustered with questions and doubts. Through his journey in heaven, he comes across the path of five different people who have died before him and who have either directly or indirectly made an impact on his life. These five figures teach Eddie how the smallest and most unsubstantial occurrences in his life may mean the world to those around him.

Throughout his journey of both life and death, Eddie endured pain and health, joy and despondency. At some points along his path to heaven, he found it very difficult to accept the truth and denied everything that he was told by his angelic friends. But Albom points out that with acceptance and sympathy, Eddie was able to comprehend the fact that everything in his life happened for a reason. In the end, Eddie learns that it is never too late to rejoice and be thankful for the prosperous and amazing life he had lived. He finally accepts heaven as a final resting place where he can reflect on and embrace his impactful existence.