The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Mitch Albom, Author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Mitch Albom is a prolific fiction and nonfiction author who has sold over forty million copies of his books in forty-seven languages worldwide, which of course, includes “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” He has seven number-one New York Times bestsellers to his credit, including the best-selling memoir of all time, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” which topped the list for four years in a row. Albom’s other works include award-winning television movies, stage plays, screenplays, a widely syndicated newspaper column, and a musical.
Albom has been acknowledged for his sports media services and his writing career. He was recognized by the National Sports Media Association and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame for his work at the Detroit Free Press.
The emotional depth and simplicity of Albom’s writing style are well-known. His work has a rare capacity to convey the core of human emotions and experiences. His writings frequently deal with topics like love, forgiveness, redemption, and the purpose of life itself.
Mitch Albom’s Website:
https://www.mitchalbom.com/
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Summary
Mitch Albom’s “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” follows the story of Eddie, an elderly man who works in maintenance at the amusement park Ruby Pier. Eddie has always wanted to leave Ruby Pier and start a new life, but circumstances have held him there. Eddie finds a cart on a ride named “Freddy’s Free Fall” at risk of falling and harming the riders one day while completing his daily responsibilities. He rapidly assists in evacuating the passengers, but he notices a young girl named Amy or Annie in danger. Eddie attempts to help her but unfortunately dies when the wagon collapses on him.
Eddie wakes up in heaven, where he goes on a trip through brilliant and shifting colors. He runs across the Blue Man, who used to be a “circus freak” at Ruby Pier many years ago. The Blue Man explains that he perished as a result of Eddie’s activities. Eddie dashed into the road as a child pursuing a ball, forcing the Blue Man to swerve and suffer a deadly heart attack. Eddie learns a significant lesson from the Blue Man: all lives, even strangers, are interrelated.
Eddie continues his journey and encounters the Captain in a jungle fight. Eddie’s youth is flashed back to when he enlisted in World War II to prove his valor. The enemy kidnaps Eddie’s unit throughout the conflict, and he eventually seeks to flee. Eddie notices a small figure in a burning hut and runs to save them. He is wounded in the leg, though, and loses consciousness. The Captain reveals himself in paradise as the one who shot Eddie in order to save him from the fire. The Captain also reveals that he perished while attempting to save his soldiers during the escape. Eddie learns from the Captain that sacrifice is an important part of life and should be celebrated rather than lamented.
Eddie’s trip continues, and he finds himself outside a mountain diner, where he notices his father through the glass. Eddie’s youth is revisited, typified by his desperate search for his physically abusive and emotionally neglecting father’s love. A woman named Ruby appears in Paradise, revealing that her husband, Emile, built Ruby Pier in her honor. Despite discovering Mickey Shea attempting to abuse Eddie’s mother, Ruby describes Eddie’s father dying while protecting his friend Mickey Shea from drowning. Ruby gives Eddie the lesson of forgiveness, assisting him in releasing his rage toward his father.
Eddie reaches a land of weddings in the next stage of his journey, where he reunites with his late wife, Marguerite. The story follows their relationship from their romance at Ruby Pier to their modest wedding and their struggles to have children. Eddie’s gambling addiction destroys his family’s finances and prevents them from adopting a kid. Despite her forgiveness, Marguerite dies from a brain tumor. Marguerite spends a lot of time with Eddie in heaven, showing him that love triumphs over death.
After Marguerite’s death, the tale changes to Eddie’s lonely and unremarkable birthdays. He spends his latter years wracked with remorse, convinced that his life was meaningless. Eddie’s final encounter in heaven is with a young girl named Tala. Tala admits that she perished as a result of Eddie’s wartime activities; she was the small shadow he saw in the blazing cottage. Eddie, who was initially driven by sadness and shame, learns through Tala that he redeemed himself by protecting children at Ruby Pier. Eddie achieves inner peace and continues on his adventure until he arrives to a Ferris wheel in the sky, where Marguerite awaits him.
Key Summary Points
- “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” tells the story of Eddie, an elderly man who dies while attempting to save a young girl at his workplace amusement park.
- Eddie wakes up in heaven after his death, where he meets five people who played crucial roles in his life and taught him valuable lessons.
- Eddie learns about the interconnectivity of all lives and the impact we have on others from The Blue Man, a former circus performer at Ruby Pier.
- Eddie encounters the Captain, a former soldier who discloses the truth behind Eddie’s battle wounded and teaches him the value of sacrifice and dedication.
- Ruby, a woman tied to the history of Ruby Pier, teaches Eddie about forgiveness by disclosing his father’s honorable actions despite his harsh demeanor.
- Eddie is reunited with his late wife, Marguerite, who teaches him about the transcendent power of love.
- The final meeting is with Tala, a little girl whose death was caused indirectly by Eddie during the conflict. Tala provides Eddie with redemption and shows him that his life has meaning and purpose because of his attempts to safeguard children.
- Eddie eventually achieves peace and reunites with Marguerite in a symbolic Ferris wheel in heaven, signaling the end of his trip.
- The themes of interconnectivity, sacrifice, forgiveness, love, and finding meaning in one’s life are discussed throughout the work.
- “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” is a moving examination of the human condition, reminding readers of each life’s immense impact on others and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.on.
Book Genre and Subgenres
The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom falls under the genre of fiction and the subgenres of spiritual fiction and inspirational fiction.
The Stories Setting
The majority of Mitch Albom’s “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” takes place in the afterlife, when protagonist Eddie is reunited with five significant figures from his life. Eddie’s experience on Earth is also seen in flashbacks, especially his employment at a theme park.
The story takes place in the latter half of the twentieth century, but the ideas it examines are timeless and applicable to audiences of all ages and walks of life.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Chapter Summaries
The book has no chapter divisions or even a table of contents. Still, to better understand how the author divides up his narrative, we have sectioned off the book into what we believe to be its major events and given each one its own chapter
Chapter 1: Eddies Death
Eddie is killed at Ruby Pier while attempting to rescue a young child from a collapsing ride vehicle.
Eddie, a veteran of the maintenance crew at Ruby Pier, is a senior citizen. He later recalls seeing a young girl named Amy sheltering under a riding cart that was ready to topple. Eddie rushes over to help, but the wagon topples over, crushing them both. Eddie tragically passes away from his wounds, yet his selfless act ensures Amy’s survival.
Chapter 2: Person One, The Blue Man
Eddie awakens in heaven and is greeted by the Blue Man, who informs him that he will meet five people who will assist him in comprehending the significance of his existence. Eddie is told by the Blue Man that every existence has a purpose and that he must learn from his mistakes in order to move on. Eddie is perplexed but interested in this concept and wonders who the other four people are.
Chapter 3: Person Two, Eddie’s Former Captain
Eddie’s second encounter is with his former army captain, who tells him how he saved many lives during a battle during World War II. The captain tells Eddie he is a hero and should be proud of his accomplishments. This revelation takes Eddie aback, and he begins to see himself differently.
Chapter 4: Person Three, Ruby, The Owner of Ruby Pier
Eddie’s third encounter is with Ruby, the owner of the Ruby Pier amusement park, where he has spent most of his life working. Ruby tells Eddie how much she admires him and how the park was erected as a memorial to him. She also exposes some prior secrets that help Eddie realize why she is so important to him.
Chapter 5: Person Four, Eddie’s Wife Marguerite
Eddie’s fourth meeting with his late wife, Marguerite. Marguerite enlightens Eddie on the purpose of their connection and how they were always destined to be together. She also lets Eddie in on a few secrets from her past that shed light on why she had such a special place in Eddie’s heart.
Chapter 6: Person Five, Tala, A Young Girl Killed During The War
Eddie has his fifth and final encounter with Tala, a young girl he killed unwittingly during the conflict. Tala instructs Eddie on forgiveness and assists him in letting go of his remorse. She demonstrates that all lives are interconnected and that even minor actions can have profound effects on others.
Chapter 7: Eddie’s Return to Ruby Pier
Eddie realizes when he gets back to Ruby Pier that he has been in heaven the entire time after his experiences with the five individuals. He gains a fresh perspective on the park and recognizes the significance of his life’s efforts. In addition, he comes to the realization that everyone he came into contact with was somehow related to him and that his life has more significance than he could have ever dreamed.
Chapter 8: Eddie and His Wife, Marguerite Reunite
The book ends with Eddie’s spirit reuniting with Marguerite’s spirit at the end of the novel, representing their eternal love and connection. Eddie is now at peace with his life after fully understanding the teachings he learned from each of the five persons he encountered in paradise.
The reader is left with a sense of optimism and inspiration, knowing that every life has a purpose and that even seemingly insignificant actions can significantly impact others.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Book
The book is available on Amazon in multiple formats, including Kindle, Audiobook, hardcover, paperback, and spiral-bound. This link below leads to the hardcover edition.
| Amaon.com (Hardcover) | The Five People You Meet in Heaven Paperback – Deckle Edge, April 7, 2003 |
| Authors Amazon BIO Page | Purchase More books by Mitch Albom on Amazon |
Book – Product Details
ASIN: 1401308589
Publisher: Hachette Books; Reprint edition (April 7, 2003)
Language: English
Paperback: 196 pages
ISBN-10: 9781401308582
ISBN-13: 978-1401308582
Reading age: 13 years and up
Lexile measure: 780L
Grade level: 8 and up
Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
Dimensions: 5.13 x 0.5 x 7.13 inches
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Reviews
At the time of this writing, there were 21,012 consumer reviews on Amazon with a star rating of 4.6 out of 5. Of those, 723% of reviewers gave the book a 5-star rating. Below are a few of the top reviews of the book.
Breathtakingly Beautiful, A story that will stay with you forever
– Reviewed By Livia Sbarbaro
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2018
This is Eddie’s story, an old man who works maintenance on the pier. One day there is an accident, and in his last moments on earth, Eddie tries desperately to save a child. When he goes to Heaven, he is met by five different people who take him through his life in flashbacks. In each vivid snapshot, there are stories told, and through the eyes of another, Eddie looks back at his life, seeing things in a different light. This is a book that will spear your heart, touch your soul and make you want to see the beauty of life…Heaven really is a place on Earth. I found this book through another brilliant writer. Mark Tilbury, who wrote The Key To Deaths Door. I asked him a question…What book has taken your breath away…it was this one. This made me think of all the people I have lost in life, from my mother, who died when I was seven, who was beautiful, bright, and taken too soon ..and a baby boy Christopher who will forever be in my heart…Beautiful, beautiful storytelling.
A beautiful and flawlessly choreographed book.
– Reviewed By Little Bookness Lane
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2020
Dear big-hearted and flawlessly choreographed book,
Why did I not find you sooner?
I count myself unmistakably lucky to have read something so fundamentally perfect that words alone cannot praise it.
This goes way beyond storytelling. It’s a light in the dark, the up when you’re down, a balm to soothe even the deepest pain. It’s the patient thread of providence that invisibly and inexplicably binds us all.
As I have fallen hopelessly head over heels in love with Eddie, the maintenance man, and the Five people he met in Heaven, I am acutely aware that no other book may ever compare. But it’s one I can see myself returning to often.
So, dear book, thank you. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
10 Stars!!!
– Reviewed By E Buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2016
This is one of my favorite books; because of this book, I became a Mitch Albom fan and read all of his novels; most of them are pretty good, but they never come close to this one, the Five People You Meet in Heaven has everything you would want to have in a novel. It talks about love, talks about God, talk about forgiveness, talks about the meaning of life in such a creative and interesting way; It involves unexpected surprises which grab you and keep you reading with TEARS! I have recommended this book to a few friends and all of them like it. Even a big strong man will shed a tear! Wonderful, inspirational, and heartwarming! To me, it is a MUST-READ!
The Five People You Meet in Heaven Movie Trailer
“The Five People You Meet in Heaven” was made into a television movie in 2004 by Mill Creek Entertainment, directed by Lloyd Kramer and starring Jon Voight, Ellen Burstyn, and Michael Imperioli.
Eddie, a maintenance worker at an amusement park, dies while attempting to save a young girl from an accident in the film. He encounters five people who played important roles in his life in the afterlife and learns crucial lessons about love, forgiveness, and the interconnectedness of all lives.
