FICTION: THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN
by Mitch Albom
I really want to use my own words about this book but I'm soooo sleepy so just read this. from shelfari.com (if you haven't read the book!)
"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom begins by introducing Eddie, an 83 year-old maintenance man. His father worked at the Ruby Pier and Eddie followed in suit. It was all that he ever knew, and everyday of his existence was filled with making sure that the rides at the amusement park ran smoothly. Eddie could even hear when something was wrong with a ride and that's why he knew exactly what happened on the fateful day when he lost his life. As a sacrifice, Eddie ran in under a falling ride to save a little girl's life. He felt tiny arms pulling him, later he would learn that those arms were pulling him to Heaven.
Eddie arrives at Heaven only to learn that it not a paradise, but a place where his life is explained by five people that were somehow connected to him while he was on earth. This shocks him, especially when he meets the Blue Man. The Blue Man was a circus freak at the Ruby Pier that was accidently killed by Eddie when he darted out in front of his car. This circus freak taught Eddie that everyone in the world is connected somehow. Next, Eddie meets the Captain, his commanding officer in World War II. The Captain shocked Eddie by revealing that he had died in order to save him. Along with sharing his story, the captain revealed how sacrifice and choices can define a life. The third person Eddie met was Ruby, the co-founder of the Ruby Pier. Ruby tells Eddie that anger is useless and this allows Eddie to be able to mend his realationship with his father. After this encounter Eddie met the person he had been waiting for, his wife, Marguerite. She was the only person Eddie truly cared for and of course, she taught him about ever-lasting love. The last and perhaps most important person he met was Tala. She was a young Filipino girl who was accidentally, and unfortunatley burned in the fire that Eddie set as revenge against his enemies in the war. Eddie had never known her, but had dreamt about her every night since. At last, she revealed that Eddie's life did have a purpose and that it was protecting children everyday at the Ruby Pier.
In the end, Eddie walks through the Ruby Pier to find his wife and, his Heaven. The best thing about his Heaven is that he can go to rest knowing that his life had meaning and that everything makes sense. It's certainly not what he expected, but it was certainly what he needed. Mr. Albom leaves us with the knowledge that Eddie is a part of a Heaven for the little girl that he saved at the Ruby Pier. The cycle will continue and everyone in Heaven will have the chance of learning the true meaning of their life."
Eddie arrives at Heaven only to learn that it not a paradise, but a place where his life is explained by five people that were somehow connected to him while he was on earth. This shocks him, especially when he meets the Blue Man. The Blue Man was a circus freak at the Ruby Pier that was accidently killed by Eddie when he darted out in front of his car. This circus freak taught Eddie that everyone in the world is connected somehow. Next, Eddie meets the Captain, his commanding officer in World War II. The Captain shocked Eddie by revealing that he had died in order to save him. Along with sharing his story, the captain revealed how sacrifice and choices can define a life. The third person Eddie met was Ruby, the co-founder of the Ruby Pier. Ruby tells Eddie that anger is useless and this allows Eddie to be able to mend his realationship with his father. After this encounter Eddie met the person he had been waiting for, his wife, Marguerite. She was the only person Eddie truly cared for and of course, she taught him about ever-lasting love. The last and perhaps most important person he met was Tala. She was a young Filipino girl who was accidentally, and unfortunatley burned in the fire that Eddie set as revenge against his enemies in the war. Eddie had never known her, but had dreamt about her every night since. At last, she revealed that Eddie's life did have a purpose and that it was protecting children everyday at the Ruby Pier.
In the end, Eddie walks through the Ruby Pier to find his wife and, his Heaven. The best thing about his Heaven is that he can go to rest knowing that his life had meaning and that everything makes sense. It's certainly not what he expected, but it was certainly what he needed. Mr. Albom leaves us with the knowledge that Eddie is a part of a Heaven for the little girl that he saved at the Ruby Pier. The cycle will continue and everyone in Heaven will have the chance of learning the true meaning of their life."
