In this enchanting sequel to the number one bestseller The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom tells the story of Eddie’s heavenly reunion with Annie—the little girl he saved on earth—in an unforgettable novel of how our lives and losses intersect.
Fifteen years ago, in Mitch Albom’s beloved novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the world fell in love with Eddie, a grizzled war … with Eddie, a grizzled war veteran- turned-amusement park mechanic who died saving the life of a young girl named Annie. Eddie’s journey to heaven taught him that every life matters. Now, in this magical sequel, Mitch Albom reveals Annie’s story.
The accident that killed Eddie left an indelible mark on Annie. It took her left hand, which needed to be surgically reattached. Injured, scarred, and unable to remember why, Annie’s life is forever changed by a guilt-ravaged mother who whisks her away from the world she knew. Bullied by her peers and haunted by something she cannot recall, Annie struggles to find acceptance as she grows. When, as a young woman, she reconnects with Paulo, her childhood love, she believes she has finally found happiness.
As the novel opens, Annie is marrying Paulo. But when her wedding night day ends in an unimaginable accident, Annie finds herself on her own heavenly journey—and an inevitable reunion with Eddie, one of the five people who will show her how her life mattered in ways she could not have fathomed.
Poignant and beautiful, filled with unexpected twists, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven reminds us that not only does every life matter, but that every ending is also a beginning—we only need to open our eyes to see it.
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I am a fan of Alblom’s books and this one is as exceptional as were the other two I read. Enjoy
Another thought provoking story from a truly amazing writer!!! I have read just about all of Albom’s books and everyone one of them has opened my heart and left me with that feel good vibe. This follow up from his early book The five people you meet in heaven was superbly written. Albom knows how to tap into characters that are so beautifully broken and yet have strength and depth that the reader can identify with. He continues to give me hope that their is more to life then what we know and every person that enters are life whether good or bad teaches us something and is part of our soul’s journey. If you haven’t read one of his books,I highly recommend checking out his body of work!! I’ve been a big fan since reading Tuesday’s with Morrie. Until next time Luv’s The tale of your life is written second by second, as shifting as the flip of a pencil to an eraser. There are so many times our lives are altered invisibly. The flip of a pencil, from written to erased.””
Wow. This is just beautifully written. It makes you stop and think about the lives you’ve influenced, and the people who have influenced you. It helps you understand how we live in community with each other and what that really means. A lovely, lovely story. Highly recommend.
Note: I don’t think Albom is saying that he expects heaven to be this way–it’s not written from a theological point of view. Rather, he’s telling a story about how our lives intersect in meaningful ways.
Mitch Albom, you’ve done it again! First of all, I am a huge fan, and as a fellow journalist by profession, I adore Albom’s writing style. He does extensive research and it always brings his characters to life. Plus, there is such intrigue in a real world and relational sense in this novel, it makes the read even more compelling.
As an author myself, I try not to include spoilers in my reviews, because I don’t think it’s fair to an author or his/her potential readers. Yet I can safely say the plot line is incredibly well developed and not at all predictable. Albom teaches us some profound life lessons without being preachy and gives us hope and inspiration without sappy sweetness. It’s such a great sequel. Love it, love it, love it!
I was looking forward to this book from the moment I learned it was coming. Maybe even before that, in some unrealized spot in my soul. This book, and the one that came before it, are filled with lessons so deep and personal that they will resound differently for each reader. Or maybe they won’t at all, perhaps because the reader isn’t ready for them or maybe this isn’t the way they need to make a connection. All I know is that these books affected me. You could technically read this book without reading its predecessor, but there’s a lot more meaning to be understood if you read them in the order they were written.
What I liked about “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven”:
The characters – Each of them is so flawed and yet there is something intrinsically likable about them. Their flaws make them feel real. Even when they don’t make a good choice, I was rooting for them, grieving for their pain, empathizing with their sadness. Sometimes authors try to write their characters too perfectly and I disconnect from that because they don’t feel real. Real isn’t perfect, it’s flawed, and it’s how we react to those flaws.
The lessons – Simply put, I love a book that teaches me something, especially something about myself. This book accomplishes that in spades.
The way the story weaves together – To some, it may feel contrived. I didn’t feel that way at all. I love that each piece interlocks with the others. I love the thought that it’s all woven together in ways I cannot see, much less understand, but that maybe one day I will.
Heaven – Since, this side of Heaven–a place in which I absolutely believe–there’s no way for us to know what it’s like, I do really enjoy Mitch Albom’s vision of it. I love the thought he puts into constructing each character’s Heaven, how it’s built on the pieces of their earthly lives, not just the parts they knew they loved but the parts they thought they regretted, hated, wished away…until they understood the purpose.
The twist – There is such a well-executed twist in this book that I almost feel like mentioning it borders on being a spoiler. It isn’t, because you won’t see it coming, but I won’t say more than that it was done perfectly.
Quote-worthy – Truly, I either liked or added so many quotes from this book (to the Goodreads site).
Delicious detail – The images Albom paints are astounding to me. I felt like I could see it unfolding before my eyes.
What I didn’t care for:
It’s too short – Not that the book missed its mark. I just didn’t want it to end. I devoured it and would have read another 200 pages without hesitation.
It’s been too long since “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” – Meaning that I can’t remember enough of the book, other than that I liked it, so now I want to read it again. Even though I know it would be a fast read, my to-read list is so ridiculously long, I don’t need books nudging me for a re-read.
Now I feel like “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” needs to have my rating corrected – I don’t think I truly understood the impact the first book had on me until I learned that this one was being released. I’m going to have to fix that, I think.
I would read any other book Mitch Albom puts into this series without hesitation. I love the way he nails the eternity of Heaven, because the stories could go on and on, just pulling one character from the book before it. The concept of meeting five people when you get to Heaven was profound enough for me, but then to realize that you also need to greet five people as well? I keep saying ‘I love…’ about this book, but whether real or imaginary, the way the story of Heaven is told through Albom’s writing poses such a fascinating possibility, and I love how he has envisioned it.
This book is a great sequel to The Five People You Meet In Heaven. It involves many of the same characters and once again reminds us of how all of our lives are intertwined and how one small action no matter how insignificant can greatly impact another person. Another well written book, Mitch!
While I have loved all of Mitch Album’s books, I found this one very good. It is a continuation of the “Five People You Meet In Heaven.” It was an easy read but very interesting. One of those books that you don’t want to put down.
Every book he writes is so good.
I like the clear evidence that Mitch Albom is a Christian author. As a believer myself, I like reading books by other Christians and I root for their success. Sadly, however, I didn’t care too much for this book. I was very moved by The Five People You Meet in Heaven (as well as other books by this author) so I was looking forward to reading its sequel. Those who have read the first book in the sequel will recognize the characters Eddie and Annie, as they are also in this book. This time, the heavenly story is Annie’s to tell.
The book is disappointing and, at times, odd. The part about body parts being drug around by dogs in Heaven almost made me put it down right then and there, but I did hang with it and finish. I understand the use of symbolism, analogies, and metaphors, but throughout the book I found myself identifying with the main character when she says all she feels is “heartbroken.” I felt sad the entire time I was reading. I will admit, I wasn’t expecting the ending, but I was expecting more from this book. Maybe I was expecting too much?
Made me more grateful for every day God has given me.
Loved this book. I enjoy all of Mitch Albun books. Love his writing style.
I love books by this author. They give a sense of purpose and hope that the world, and the Hereafter, are as he portrays them.
I found this book very hard to stay on focus with. The woman (Anna) had to be the most unhappy girl in the world with a horrible childhood. Why would I want to read about that? Then her adulthood consisted of almost happiness to only end up in what was supposed to be heaven only to find out more bad things about herself and that her husband died? Come on what about this book was supposed to make you look forward to heaven? To each his own I guess, but this was weird from chapter one!
Add ‘thought-provoking’
Typical Mitch Albom…in all the best ways.
I finished and re-read a few chapters couple of times. A beautifully written book filled with unpredictable twists. A timely reminder of what are important in life for me and of course, the saying ‘When one door closes, another opens’.
None of us know what heaven will be like, but Mitch Albom has a way of making his stories so plausible. It gives one a good feeling.
Didn’t need this one. The first one was enough. I was surprised and did enjoy the ending, though.
I loved it.
Another hauntingly, wonderful read from this talented author. Heartwarming, wonderful read for all who wonder about “what’s next”.