I had to read this book for my Death & Bereavement Class. Yes, I took a class about dying and the grieving process, because it will be extremely helpful in my future profession as a Child Life Specialist. I'm beyond thankful that I was given a chance to take this class, because it has not only taught me so much about my views on death, but also about others in different, difficult situations.
Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:
"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.
For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.
Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?"
My Review:
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” by Mitch Albom. Prior to opening the book, however, I was slightly hesitant and believed I was going to have an extremely hard time keeping my eyes open. Luckily I was wrong, and I finished the book in one sitting. Several times, mostly towards the end, I shut the book and put it down, and sat there, thinking. It was as if I wanted Morrie to stay alive, and by putting the book down, he could somehow stay in that moment forever. Eventually I knew I could not, and I was intrigued as to what the next words out of Morrie’s mouth would be. It seems as if he always knew the right thing to say to his student, Mitch. Without Morrie’s philosophical words and aphorisms, I believe there would be no book, no final thesis.
There were an infinite amount of things from the book I enjoyed. For one, I liked the overall writing style, and the way Albom separated each chapter, specifically by each Tuesday visit. It made reading the book easier, because I’m usually counting down the pages till the next chapter, but I found with this book I just read without a care. I also liked that Albom was able to include every last word that Morrie said, with the help of a recorder. It was not as if Mitch would not remember all that Morrie had said, but rather he wanted to savor the time he had with him, and not focus on memorizing the words that were filled with such joy and happiness, even in the later stages of Morrie’s illness, ALS. Morrie made this book easier for me to get through, because if it was not for his words of advice, words that I will keep close to me always, I would not have been able to finish this book from front to back, considering I am rather terrified of dying. It was as if Morrie gave me a whole new insight into death, and made me rethink my fear, which now seems rather pointless to have.
What I disliked about this book did not have to do with the overall meaning of the book, or even anything that could have been prevented through Mitch Albom’s writing, because it had already happened. By not keeping his promise after college, to keep in touch with his former professor Morrie, Mitch had not found out about Morrie until 16 years later, while watching ‘Nightline.’ By that time he was already diagnosed with ALS, and the illness was slowly taking over his body. I hoped that he had been lying, that he spoke to him several times over the 16 years, but he, like everyone else, just got “busy” (Albom, 1997, p. 33).
I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone, not just individuals trying to learn more about death, or those just trying to find a good book to read. I think everyone should read this book to learn more about themselves, as living, breathing individuals, because “the truth is… once you learn how to die, you learn how to live” (Albom, 1997, p. 82).
“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning” (Albom, 1997, p. 43).
My Rating: 5 Stars
