I really don’t like “inspirational” stories so I was a bit weirded out when my mom suggested I read this book. It was short, though, and I didn’t have anything else to read so I figured I’d give it a shot.

While a little on the sappy side, this book is actually very interesting. I’d previously written a philosophy paper about why I didn’t believe in Heaven (I got an A on it even though I didn’t think it was very good) but this is one of the few versions of an afterlife that I can accept. The idea of people still existing in a perfect place just doesn’t sit well with me primarily because I see it as pointless: if everything’s perfect, there’s no need to do anything, so why go on existing? Albom’s concept of Heaven is different than what I normally hear about because while people do wind up in their ideal places, they still have a purpose and they still have something to accomplish.

I admit I do also find the book a bit comforting. I don’t take it as fact since that’s not the point, but when relatives die, I like to think about who their five people would be. It’s a way of putting lives in perspective. It’s hard to be sad when I can think of at least five people my relatives have affected for the better.

I also like the characters a lot. Eddie is himself interesting and I liked seeing his story unfold. However, my favorite character is The Blue Man, the first person he meets in Heaven. I’m not really sure why I like him so much, but I do.