Teddy Newman's Heaven

by Luis Herrera

Join Teddy Newman as he unexpectedly dies and goes to heaven at the young age of 40. How did he get there? Was he a saint, or just your average well-behaved guy? Is religion necessary? It couldn't be: Teddy was not religious. So what is it like up there? Who do you meet? What conversations do you have? What are events like? How do you make a living and buy the things you need? How does one afford housing? How does it make you feel? If you die at an old age do you remain old forever? Is it a lonely place? Is it possible to make love? Can you enjoy the occasional drink? Or is the whole experience one never-ending mass service? Is the place governed and overrun by religious elites (as we are often made to believe)? If so, what religion? What if you were brought up with different or even no beliefs at all, can you still get in? Who is really in charge? Do we all make it there by default? If not, what is the alternative?

These are just a few of the vexing questions this novel seeks to address in fun and unexpected ways. Forget what you learned at Sunday school... Teddy Newman provides a class of its own, and it just may be closer to reality than anything you have been able to find in another book, by any source. Come along on a journey to heaven, hell then back to earth and everything in between. Take a look into Teddy Newman's Heaven and question some long held beliefs. Or perhaps gain a new perspective on a topic usually reserved for old, dusty tomes written by people who have been dead for centuries. More than anything, this novel should get you to think and ponder an all-important theme that is often overlooked by the "live for the here and now" philosophies predominant in modern culture. We all must pass eventually, what will your heaven be like? The answers may surprise you.

259 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

About the author

Writer. Quiet, happy and grateful family man | @luis81duck on most sites

Reviews

[Tina G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting writing and narration…

Teddy Newman's Heaven by Luis Herrera and narrated by David Bosco is an excellent book all around. There’s plenty of topics to ponder in this book and my review will not do it justice. Whether you are a believer or on the opposite end, it’s definitely worth a listen. Recommend if you’re looking for a great narration, interested in the topics of religion and afterlife, or looking to expand out. This would be a good one for a book club.

What’s it about? Many a things with the main focus being on the afterlife in one person’s heaven. The book is told as a story mainly through Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Newman’s view, but also his son and others who are pivotal to the plot. Teddy is guided on is journey by various biblical figures. Some of the topics/questions that may arise include (please note this is a shortened list); what happens after death, will there be a specifically tailored heaven (or hell) for each of us, do we retain habits (using a restroom, loving the smell of freshly baked bread, reading a newspaper), is time the same in heaven or does it even exist, verses from the bible are weaved throughout the story, a visit to the Dark Lands, what does it mean to be good and does it automatically qualify you to enter Heaven, marriage, intimacy, how do various religious beliefs affect life and afterlife, humor, modern views, the questioning of the patriarchy in subtle ways (some might cry feminism as it may have you examining long held beliefs), we each have out own truths (or do we?), what is or makes a believer, is one religion better/different/the same as others, organized religion vs. religion, pop-culture, do drugs exist or does heaven have it’s own purer versions, reunion of bands (I’d be down for a Led Zeppelin reunion), what if Angie’s prayer had not been answered as a child (what if nothing bad occurred in life), and church vs. state. One of my favorite infusions into the story are the various musicians. This helped to make the story stand out. The book contains Afterword, Notes from the narrator, and About the Author- all worth listening to.

Regarding the narrator, David Bosco: His narration is superb! I’ve been following him a while now and recommend him unconditionally. He makes each characters unique, has perfect pace and inflections. There are some echos effects used, but they are not distracting.

Additional thoughts and full disclosure: I fall between atheism and agnostic (if there is such a place). Despite this being a book based on religion, it is told as a story. I knew going in there was some potential preaching and it is based heavily on the bible. I am glad I went out of my comfort zone for many reasons, two of them being excellent writing and narration. There were times it brought me back to my Eastern & Western Religion and Philosophy courses in college and reminded me a smidgen of The Good Place at first. I did not feel any beliefs were pushed on me and that really would be the complete opposite of what the book is about (imo).

The Afterword by Topher Reynoso and Notes From the Narrator David Bosco (I wrote the above review prior to listening to these two portions as to not alter my initial thoughts on the book):
These additions raised more questions and discussion points- what happens in our future, why are we here, the process of mortality, free will, honesty about faith, what do we really know, one person’s heaven may be another person’s hell because we all differ, is this world all there is as no one can truly know for certain and the possibilities could be endless. I’m left with David’s question of what if heaven and hell (or something else) exists on earth and the state you’re in, the level of your true happiness, determines what existence you’re in right now?

“Life is a novel. A novel without love makes for dry and tasteless reading!”
“Of course we’re all alive and well...until we’re not.”

I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

[Luis Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the novel that I have most enjoyed writing, and comes from the deepest part of my heart. It is also my third one and first since Superman Unveiled was published in 2017. I will not talk at length about it because as the author I'm not only biased, but am also likely to give away more than I should. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of Teddy Newman, then give one to a friend. I'm eager to get reviews and hear your thoughts, thank you!