Wednesday, October 10, 2012

the five people you meet in heaven

"All endings are also beginnings, we just don't know it at the time"

By Mitch Albom. You can't not have heard of it. I heard of it, then realised I never read it despite reading all his other books, which I loved. To be fair, his writings are probably the favourite genre of books for me, a bit of self-development (but not telling me in 7 steps), loads of reflections and asking you questions. LIKE.

One of my first feelings as I read the book; "Omg, why is this book so thin? Don't let it end". That, and "Oh dear, I hope I don't end up finding out I played a part in killing someone when I do get to heaven (if I do)" Haha.

In line with Mitch Albom's style, there's an interchange between a first person narrative and a third person storyteller. I'm quite fond of such styles, makes it refreshing to feel different perspectives.
I really like this book, again, it pulls heartstrings (yes I cried again, but no I am not a crybaby).
It's theme focuses a lot on how humans are interconnected, and however small a person is, we have our worth. After reading this book, it really feels to me that we are but a small speck in a large large large space, and whatever we do or choose to do right this moment, creates a ripple effect into the unforeseen distance. I like that it reminds us of human connections, a simple notion of life.
Also, the story speaks of Heaven, but does not describe only one notion of it. Instead, it describes Heaven as "each to their own" which I felt was a really interesting point of the story. For some characters, it was where they always felt safe, for some, it was just a place they've known all their life, for some, it was a place they want to be. I love the beauty of this definition of Heaven.

The other key theme was forgiveness. And it's a lesson really close to heart for me. Forgiveness was what made me tear a lot actually. For sins, for people who damage us, for loss, for win. I like how this theme was intertwined in each story, and how in the end, it's a lot about self-forgiveness.
Besides, the story has quite a few unexpected twists, which I thought made it pretty, and I really found it hard to put down the book yet I don't want to finish it so soon.

All in all, I think it's a book that leads one to think and feel. A bit more mature than typical fiction, given the different themes it tried to portray, but that could just be me. In general, I like that the book had flow and how everything interconnected, helps a lot with making sense, like it's a whole story, not a hole story =)

"No story sits by itself, sometimes stories meet at corners and sometimes they cover one another completely, like stones beneath a river"  

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