Firstly, I reckon this book deserves a two and a half rating. I wavered between giving it a two or a three, I eventually opted for the two, because I think it is closer to a one than it is to a four.

What I did like about it is that it is an easy read that romps along very nicely and never bogs down in the detail of the narrative- it is in fact more an account. I also really liked the idea behind it. Eddie, a likeable old man, dies in a tragic accident on his 83 birthday and is spirited off to heaven. In heaven, he learns he will meet 5 people that will help him make realisation of his life. Great concept. What’s more, Albom delivers heaven in a unique manner that is altogether believable; and god knows, I wanna believe.

The trouble I had with the book is that is lacks any real impact. Despite the great concept, it feels like something that belongs ensconced in the small screen tripe genre; look out CSI screenwriters, there is a new kid on the block. And, without spoiling the plot, I absolutely loathed the claptrap contained in the second meeting.

Given that I really liked the concept, I just think that there should have been so much to take from it. Indeed, there were a few gems.

‘YOUNG MEN GO to war. Sometimes because they have to, sometimes because they want to. Always, they feel they are supposed to. This comes from the sad, layered stories of life, which over the centuries have seen courage confused with picking up arms, and cowardice confused with laying them down.’ (p. 59)

At page 59, it is fairly early on in the book. I was struck by that paragraph. Wow, I thought, I’m loving this book. It is simple yet insightful; that is the mark of a genius writer. Unfortunately, though Aldom maintained the simplicity, he could not deliver insight.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to sit in the sun and not be challenged. Hey, that’s me. That’s the problem, I read it in winter. I’m off to somewhere north of Tweed Heads and south of California to read Tuesday with Morrie.