Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: The Lord’s name is taken in vain several times.   Infrequent use of mild and moderate swear words.

Violence: Eddie’s experiences with WWII and as a POW are described.  The prisoners are beaten, underfed and worked to near death. One prisoner is shot in front of the others.  The prisoners revolt and are able to kill their captors. Eddie sets a hut on fire.  A young, native girl dies in the fire.  Eddie and his captain fight.  The captain shoots Eddie’s leg to get him to cooperate.  The captain is blown up by a landmine.  The book mentions that Eddie’s father neglected and physically abused him as a child (when he was drunk).  Two car wrecks are briefly mentioned.  Eddie was strong growing up and beat up other kids.  Eddie is killed when a cart from an amusement park ride falls on him.

Sexual Content: Mickey, a drunken family friend, comes on to Eddie’s mom.

Adult Content: Eddies’ father is often drunk, which caused his abusive behavior.  Gambling is mentioned (race track and cards).  Eddie experiences post-war trauma—depression, bad dreams.

Synopsis

Eddie has spent his seemingly unremarkable life as the head maintenance man at Ruby Pier, a seaside amusement park.  On Eddie’s 83rd birthday, a cart on a ride falls to the ground, just as Eddie pushes a young girl out of harms way.  Eddie is killed.  In heaven Eddie meets five people who help him to make sense of and learn the extraordinary value of his ordinary life. Each person teaches a lesson.  Eddie learns that:
1.) All peoples’ lives are connected.
2.) That it is necessary to forgive, as hatred is a curved sword that does the most damage to yourself.
3.) Sacrifice is something to aspire to do, and it may be the best way to keep a promise to others.
4.) Lost love is still love.  Life ends, but love does not.
5.) Keeping others safe and preventing accidents is a noble way to spend a life.

This book was assigned by my son’s high school English teacher.  She called it “a modern classic”.  Its basic theme that you live and die for a reason is thought provoking.  Mitch Albom’s take on heaven was an enjoyable read.  This book had me wondering which five people I would want to meet in heaven.