The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Deconstruction

by Miss Tanya

A little overdue, but as I’ve been honoured with the task of putting together a brief overview of The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom, which was Book #2 for The First Wives.

Review from My Mum: This book was not as weird as The Lovely Bones. (Not my thoughts, but had to put that in. I’m calling mum an honorary First Wife as she’s not an official part of the club, but is reading all the books.)

Eddie’s Story: The story centres around Eddie. A theme park maintenance supervisor who has filled his life with regrets and convinced himself he has not achieved anything in life. He seems to have lived his life blaming other people for every event that’s happened or situation that he’s been in, without making the most of it. This is until he dies, and then meets five obscure people who played key roles in his life. They each showed him the part they played, and he realised why certain things happened in his life, and how his reaction to those events and situations affected his life and those around him. He finally finds the meaning and purpose he felt he never had – albeit a bit too late.

Moral to the Story: There is a definite moral to this story. Don’t waste your life thinking about what could’ve been or should’ve been. Things happen – sometimes positive, sometimes negative. We all need to give ourselves time to acknowledge what happens and adjust accordingly – but then should accept and move on the best we can. A whole life can be wasted blaming others or ourselves on our situations. In the end there’s only one person that can change it or make it work – US!

Overall Review: This is not a book I would normally have picked up, however I was immediately captured by the suspense the author managed to create. A good read – definitely book club material. I wouldn’t have got anywhere near as much out of it had it not been discussed with the wonderful First Wives. A special acknowledgement to (almost) First Wife Vanessa’s analysis of the five people representing different religious icons and basic beliefs. Well done, Vanessa – gave us all a different perspective (and new standard to live up to for our discussion!) Overall score of 3.5/5.

5 People I’d Like to Meet in Heaven: This is written on the belief that after I meet these 5 people, I can join my family/friends in joyous eternity. Not necessarily in this order.

1 – Johnny Depp, for one night of fantasy driven passion (time goes slow in heaven, doesn’t it?)
2 – Lance Armstrong, to be inspired and work out where such strength (both physical and mental) comes from.
3 – Harry Potter, to learn some magic.
4 – Pink, for a party and spot of karaoke (of course I’ll be able to sing in heaven).
5 – Oprah, for cake, coffee, gossip and girl talk.

No morals to the story there, but gee it’d be fun wouldn’t it?