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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolute 'Must read' book, 6 Feb 2008
When I read 'Five People you meet in Heaven' I was moved, almost to the point of tears. I can remember thinking that, if I saw another book by this author, I would buy it; and so, as soon as I saw 'For One More Day', I knew I had to get it. For some reason, it sat on the pile for a couple of weeks - what a mistake! On opening it, I was totally engrossed - in fact, I literally could not put it down! Since then, I have already re-read it once, and it is one book that will NOT be going to the next book sale!
To begin with, the concept is one which will appeal to all those of us who have lost a loved one - particularly to those of us who have lost a parent. how many of us would refuse the offer to spend one more day with them? How much would we learn from such an experience, particularly with the knowledge that it really is 'Just one more day' - a never to be repeated experience.
This book focuses on the life of a man who is so 'down'that he tries to commit suicide - only to find himself 'travelling back' and spending one more day getting to know his mother - on a totally different level; and through this is able to come to terms with his own life, becoming more able to cope.
It is very cleverly written, with intriguing twists and turns in the plot which keep you guessing right to the end. It is also extremely thought provoking, causing you to reflect on your own relationships and regrets.
Try it - I'm sure this is not a book that you will ever regret reading.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lesson in Sentimentality., 31 July 2007
'For One More Day' is a sentimental book, and it is similar in its reverie for the after-life to his other book 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven'; however, this is the better of the two. For One More Day encourages introspection about situations and people in your own life, and there is an underlying spiritual/real world crossover, which is intriguing (and a little creepy), if not only for a moment. The story is of a man facing a crisis and coming to terms with some of his "demons", which help to repair his life, if only in his own mind. He gets to revisit things that have troubled him in his life while facing his mortality, and he rectifies things with his mother he didn't even know needed rectifying. In 'For One More Day' you realize that Mitch Albom just seems to "get" people. He imbues his books with softness and light, and he seems to cherish even the smallest of human interactions. In the final chapter of 'For One More Day', there is enough cleverness to give you food for thought and appreciate a sweet book by a good author and some time well spent.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Appreciate Your Mother, 4 Dec 2006
This kind and generous book is a mini version of The Five People You Meet in Heaven for revisiting your life to develop another perspective on it. In this case, Charley Benetto comes to see his mother through different eyes. A self-sacrificing woman, Pauline (Posey), had shielded Charley from all of the challenges their little family had faced. All that Charley knew was that his beloved Dad had moved out when Charley was young and didn't reappear in his life until his college years.
The set-up is pretty extreme. Charley goes to pieces after his mother dies. He drinks too much. He loses his money. He drives away his wife and daughter. He loses all his desire to live. Hitting bottom, Charley decides to kill himself. He heads back towards his old home town . . . and finds many surprises . . . including another day with his deceased mother.
The core of the book's appeal is the deft way that Mr. Albom captures the ambiguity many sons have towards the support they receive from their Mothers, while the Mothers are acting like the saints they often are. A good secondary appeal is the gradual exposure of deeply buried family secrets.
It's that latter point that I would like to address a little more. Families keep secrets from children for all kinds of good reasons. But children do become adults, and somewhere along the way the relationships will be improved if the secrets are revealed. You cannot hope to believe in Santa Claus all of your life in the same way you did as a five-year-old. If your parents are still alive (and I hope they will be for many years to come), think about what you don't understand about what they did when you were young. Ask them to tell you the answers. You'll all grow closer in the process.
Having found myself saying the eulogy over my father's coffin after an unexpected death, I also encourage you to be sure that you would feel at peace with yourself if your parents died today. If you wouldn't feel that way, take steps to improve that situation now. You can't be sure you'll be given a second chance like Charlie was.
Mr. Albom's book is a quick and pleasant read. He's a good story teller. But don't expect a book that's nearly as good as The Five People You Meet in Heaven. For One More Day is well below that standard in concept and execution. But it's a book that's well worth reading . . . even if it only makes you more sensitive to your Mother's needs.
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