28 Mar Book Review: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Some books make you reflect on life in a way that lingers long after you turn the final page. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is one of those books. It is a novel about fate, redemption, and the invisible ways our lives connect with others. Mitch Albom takes a simple premise—what happens after we die—and turns it into a deeply moving exploration of what it means to live a meaningful life.

What’s it about?

The novel follows Eddie, an elderly maintenance worker at Ruby Pier, an amusement park where he has worked for most of his life. He is a quiet, unassuming man who has come to believe that his life has been small, ordinary, and largely insignificant. On his 83rd birthday, an accident occurs on one of the rides, and Eddie dies while trying to save a little girl from being crushed.

That is where the story truly begins. Instead of fading into nothingness, Eddie wakes up in an unfamiliar place, where he is greeted by a man he does not recognize. He soon learns that before moving on, he will meet five people—souls who played a significant role in his life, even if he never realized it at the time. Each person has something to teach him, a lesson that will help him understand his own life in a way he never did while he was alive.

The first person he meets is The Blue Man, a performer from Ruby Pier who died in an accident caused by a young Eddie, though Eddie never knew it. The Blue Man teaches Eddie that all lives are connected, even in ways we never realize. One action, no matter how small, can ripple out in ways we may never see.

Next, Eddie meets his former captain from his time in the military. During World War II, Eddie was a soldier who was captured and held as a prisoner of war. The captain reminds Eddie of a painful moment from his past—one where sacrifice was necessary. He teaches Eddie that sometimes the greatest acts of love and loyalty involve giving up something, even if it is painful.

The third person Eddie encounters is Ruby, a woman for whom Ruby Pier was named. Though they never met in life, she has an important lesson for him. Through her, Eddie learns about his own father, a man who was distant and often cruel. He comes to understand the burdens his father carried, the reasons behind his silence, and the truth that harboring resentment only chains a person to the past.

His fourth encounter is with his beloved wife, Marguerite. She was the love of his life, and losing her was the greatest sorrow he ever experienced. In their meeting, she teaches him that love does not die with a person, that even after someone is gone, the love they gave and received continues in unseen ways.

Finally, Eddie meets the last person—a little girl named Tala. This is the most painful meeting of all. During the war, Eddie unknowingly caused her death in a fire, something that had haunted him on a subconscious level for years. She teaches him that even in moments of destruction, there is the possibility of redemption. She shows him that his life had meaning, that his years spent maintaining the rides at Ruby Pier were not wasted. He kept children safe, prevented injuries, and unknowingly saved countless lives.

In the end, Eddie comes to understand that his life was not small or meaningless. He sees that every action had a purpose, every relationship left an impact, and every loss carried a lesson. As he finally moves on, the cycle continues—he, too, will be one of the five people someone else meets in heaven.

What This Chick Thinks

A comforting take on the afterlife

What makes The Five People You Meet in Heaven so powerful is its hopeful and deeply comforting portrayal of what happens after death. Instead of focusing on judgment or punishment, Albom presents the idea that heaven is a place of understanding, where people can finally see the full picture of their lives. It is a beautiful and moving concept, one that makes you think about the unseen ways your actions might have shaped others.

A story that makes you reflect on your own life

The novel encourages readers to think about the people who have influenced them, the ones they have impacted, and the lessons they may not even realize they have learned yet. It serves as a reminder that no life is insignificant and that even the smallest acts of kindness or sacrifice can mean everything to someone else.

Simple but deeply emotional writing

Albom’s writing is not complex or overly literary, but it is heartfelt and effective. He tells the story in a way that is easy to read but filled with meaning. The alternating structure between Eddie’s past and present is particularly well done, slowly revealing the moments that defined him while keeping the reader emotionally engaged throughout.

A book that stays with you

This is one of those books that you will find yourself thinking about long after you finish. The themes of connection, forgiveness, and love are universal, making it a novel that resonates with readers from all walks of life. Whether or not you believe in Albom’s vision of the afterlife, the message at the heart of the story—that every life has value—is something that will linger.

Final Thoughts

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a novel that reminds us of the unseen threads that bind people together. It is about fate, love, redemption, and the understanding that sometimes we do not get to see the full impact of our lives until much later. It is a book that offers hope, making you want to appreciate the people around you just a little more.

If you are looking for something that will make you reflect on your own journey, this is the kind of book that can change the way you think about life and the people in it.

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like

• The Shack by William P. Young – Another novel about the afterlife that explores grief, loss, and healing.
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – A deeply moving memoir by the same author, focused on life lessons and the meaning of human connection.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – A beautifully written novel that also explores death, memory, and the unseen forces that shape lives.