Helpful Score: 5
From the beginning of this book, I kept saying, "This is one strange book", but I trusted Mitch Albom to deliver and, of course, he did. When I was 80% finished, I thought, "OK, he really is going somewhere".
This is a book about the power time wields in our lives- not always for good. What an unusual way to go about telling the story! But that's Mitch--he always delivers a fantastic story, whether fiction or non. He is just a fabulous writer and the way he puts words together makes my heart soar!
Thanks again, Mitch!
This is a book about the power time wields in our lives- not always for good. What an unusual way to go about telling the story! But that's Mitch--he always delivers a fantastic story, whether fiction or non. He is just a fabulous writer and the way he puts words together makes my heart soar!
Thanks again, Mitch!
Helpful Score: 4
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-time-keeper.html
The Time Keeper is the fictionalized story of Father Time - who he was, how he came to be Father Time, and what he would change if he could. In the context of the story, of course, is the lesson for all of us. A lesson that can be summarized in the following quote from the book: "You marked the minutes .... But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?"
Essentially, the story goes that in a time long long ago, no one measured time. Then, one man figured out how and became obsessed with his measurements. The consequence of his obsession turned him into Father Time. However, now he has a chance to redeem himself if he can teach two individuals the lesson he learned too late.
The two individuals come from opposite ends of the spectrum - one feeling like he has no time and needs more and the other feeling like even one more moment of life is too much. They both take steps - drastic steps - to remedy their problem of too little or too much time. Do they learn in time? That is the crux of the book.
The lesson of the book is a useful one, but unfortunately the story seems so contrived and the lesson is too obvious. I could see where the story was going and was not at all surprised when it got there. The characters (Father Time, the old man, the young woman) are not compelling enough to draw me into the story.
So, while I love some of Mitch Albom's other books, I am disappointed by this one.
The Time Keeper is the fictionalized story of Father Time - who he was, how he came to be Father Time, and what he would change if he could. In the context of the story, of course, is the lesson for all of us. A lesson that can be summarized in the following quote from the book: "You marked the minutes .... But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?"
Essentially, the story goes that in a time long long ago, no one measured time. Then, one man figured out how and became obsessed with his measurements. The consequence of his obsession turned him into Father Time. However, now he has a chance to redeem himself if he can teach two individuals the lesson he learned too late.
The two individuals come from opposite ends of the spectrum - one feeling like he has no time and needs more and the other feeling like even one more moment of life is too much. They both take steps - drastic steps - to remedy their problem of too little or too much time. Do they learn in time? That is the crux of the book.
The lesson of the book is a useful one, but unfortunately the story seems so contrived and the lesson is too obvious. I could see where the story was going and was not at all surprised when it got there. The characters (Father Time, the old man, the young woman) are not compelling enough to draw me into the story.
So, while I love some of Mitch Albom's other books, I am disappointed by this one.
Helpful Score: 2
It's `a Mitch Albom book so, you know to remember this will be as smooth as good wine. It will be so simple running in the depths of deep waters where the soul will remain still and your mind will absorb the words. This is a quick read which speaks to the beginning of time and ends yesterday. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
Helpful Score: 1
Another thought-provoking book by Mitch Albom. It truly makes you realize how precious time can be and how wisely you should use it. I sat and read it one sitting.
