Mitch Albom is my favorite author. He is Jewish. He’s the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, and Have a Little Faith. While he isn’t Christian, his books are embraced my members of all faiths.
Tuesdays with Morrie- In his first book, Albom writes about meetings he would have with his old college professor who was dying of ALS. As he was dying, Morrie (the professor) would have Mitch come over to his house every Tuesday and they would discuss life. These meetings were called “classes”. It was a course on living taught through a dying man’s perspective. The book is the “thesis paper” Albom, the student, wrote after Morrie died. Jack Lemon stars in the film version as Morrie.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven- “This is the story about a man named Eddie.” That’s the opening sentence. This is Albom’s first novel and probably his most famous work. Eddie is a man who works at an amusement park and dies on duty (an accident with one of the rides) while saving a girl’s life. The concept of the book is that Eddie doesn’t feel as if he is important or made much of an impact in life, so when he arrives to Heaven, he meets five people who’s lives have been impacted by Eddie, both good and bad. A very wonderful book about how we are all connected to one another. “There are many stories, but they are all one.” In the film version John Voight plays Eddie.
For One More Day- Albom’s second novel. Former MLB player Chick played in the World Series. You’d think he’d be happy. But no. He’s an alcoholic, his wife left him, and his daughter shut him out of her life (she didn’t invite him to her wedding). He returns to his hometown determined to kill himself. When he jumps off the water tower, not only did Chick survive, he sees his dead mother- the one person who always believed in him. Chick then goes on to spend a day with his dead mother. The premise of the book is: What if you could have one more day with a person you love who has passed away?
Have a Little Faith- Albom’s latest book and his first non-fiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie. Albom’s Rabbi comes up to him and asks him to deliver his eulogy. Is the Rabbi dying? No. But he says that when the time comes, he wants Albom to deliver the eulogy. So, Albom spends time with his Rabbi, to really get to know him as a person. Think of it as spending time with your priest to get to know him as a person. At the same time, Albom is working with a local charity to repair the roof of a local Detroit church. While working on the church, he meets the pastor, a former drug dealer turned addict turned Christian pastor. As Albom gets to know his rabbi and this pastor, he starts to better appreciate the differences and the similarities between the two faiths. The message of the book is how religion is a driving force for good and central to people’s lives and how God can affect the lives of others.
I highly suggest these books for anyone. Truly wonderful reads and beautiful books with beautiful messages.
May I also suggest reading Cormac McCarthy’s play, The Sunset Limited. It’s a conversation between a poor devout Christian (Black) and a suicidal atheist professor (White). Black saves White from jumping in front of an oncoming train, the Sunset Limited. Black then takes White (who doesn’t appreciate being saved) to his apartment and they discuss life, faith, and death. It does a very good job with these subjects from a Christian perspective of hope and atheistic nihilism. When asked about faith, McCarthy says it’s a struggle for him and it depends on which day you ask him. I believe you can see that in this book.
Cormac McCarthy is said to be one of the greatest living writers we have. I would highly suggest The Sunset Limited. One of his most famous novels, The Road is dark and somewhat depressing, but it is the story of a father who loves his son. It’s a story about fatherly and sacrificial love.
thank you!