Albom takes a big risk with the novel; such a story can easily veer into the saccharine and preachy, and this one does in moments. But, for the most part, Albom's telling remains poignant and is occasionally profound. Even with its flaws, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a small, pure, and simple book that will find good company on a shelf next to It's A Wonderful Life. --Patrick O'Kelley

Great book, easy read, you should try it and see what it does for you.

Mitch Albom has written a sweet little adult fairy-tale that reads easily, leaves an impact and even graces you with a bit of fable type wisdom. The main character, Eddie, is an old carnival man living his life alone and feeling practically useless until the day he dies trying to save someone on a ride. We follow Eddie on a magical ride through the stages of death. As Eddie goes through the death process he also reviews his life and discovers that several people he encountered in his life changed his life significantly. Some of these people were merely strangers and some loved ones, but they are all sent to meet him in his after-life process. Each small story is powerful and imaginative.

Little did I know how much of an impact this little book would have on me but I read it only a few short weeks before my own mother passed away. Enduring such an experience is difficult at best but I credit Mitch Albom and this little fable as a huge comfort during a time of great need. I imagine the five people my mother must be talking to right now and I smile. Imagine the lessons we will learn if even a smidgen of this book's message turns out to be true!