THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET IN HEAVEN by MITCH ALBOM.
'You have heard the phrase "heaven on earth" ...
At certain moments, when death is close, the veils pull back between this world and the next. Heaven and earth overlay. When they do, it is possible to glimpse certain souls already departed. You can see them awaiting your arrival. And they can see you coming.'
This is a story about a woman named Annie, and it begins at the end, with Annie falling from the sky.
- First Sentence; The End
"Tell me something, Annie. Did the world begin with your birth?"
"Of course not."
"Right. Not yours. Not mine. Yet we humans make so much of 'our' time on earth. We measure it, we compare it, we put it on our tombstones.
"We forget that 'our' time is linked to others' times. We count from one. We return to one. That's how a connected universe makes sense.
- Memorable Moment; Page 61
SOURCE ... A Christmas gift from Mr T.
READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.
MY THOUGHTS ... The much anticipated sequel to the author's The Five People You Meet In Heaven which incidentally is one of the very few books that, after having read it myself, I went on to buy multiple copies of to give to family and friends, The Next Person You Meet In Heaven continues the story of Annie who is now an adult.
Would I enjoy it as much? Would it be all I hoped for? To say I was a little apprehensive is an understatement.
Not something I can put my finger on exactly. Perhaps it was just a little too sentimental. Maybe after The Five People You Meet In Heaven and the impact it had on me NO sequel, no matter how amazing, was ever going to leave me feeling like that again.
Don't get me wrong, worthy of the five stars I awarded it on GoodReads (just not the 5+ stars I would have liked to have awarded its predecessor); hugely enjoyable, poignant, powerful, capable of moving me to tears (I strongly advise you have some tissues to hand), full of sweet aphorisms, filled with clever twists. Oh! and there's a dog, Cleo ... Spoiler begins>Yeah! Dogs do get to go to Heaven< Spoiler ends, and yet there was just something, something lacking, a small something that didn't quite touch my soul in the same way as had the previous book.
11 comments:
I was really moved by The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and am not sure I want to read this sequel. I am glad you enjoyed it so much (even if a little less than the original). Maybe I will read it some day.
I read the first book years ago, but really don't remember a great deal about it other than I liked it. I would like to read this at some point, so I hope my fuzzy memory won't make a difference when I do.
I find that sequels very rarely live up to the quality of the original. With that, sometimes they are very good. I never read the original, maybe I will give it a try.
I have been wondering how this book would be. I really enjoyed the first one- but a sequel to it sounded like it could go either way. I am glad to hear that you really liked this book. Awesome! I can't wait to read it now. Thanks for sharing your review. :)
~Jess
Tracy,
I am not familiar with the original
book. But after reading what you said
in your heartfelt and excellent review
and what was said at Amazon.uk. The first
book The Five People You Meet in Heaven
sounds truly poignant and powerful. And I
will add it to my list.
Raven
I haven't read Albom's books but it sounds like you liked it. That's not bad for a sequel in my experience.
I've read many of Mitch Albom's books, but I haven't read this one yet. I plan to. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Tracy!
Mmmm I get you. I read Five People and honestly I didnt know about this book until I popped in on you this morning. Not sure if it would be one for me - but when I read Five People You Meet In Heaven a long time ago, I remember liking it.
I am not familiar with the books, but after your review, I think I will hop over to Goodreads and check them out further.
sherry @ fundinmental
I read this book, and enjoyed it. Mitch Albom is my favorite author. Yes, he's sentimental, but his stories make you think. My all-time favorite is Tuesdays with Morrie.
Though I've not read either work (I know...it's on my list!), it does sound interesting still...and I love how the first wowed you so much...it definitely makes sequels, as they are, hard to compare.
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