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The First Phone Call From Heaven: A Novel
Por Mitch Albom
Descripción
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling, will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time.
Reseñas
Mitch Albom writes thought provoking books about life, death, faith and sprituality. This one did not disappoint. It will have you thinking about life after death and heaven. What do you believe?
3.5 stars
Mitch Albom can always be relied on for a moving, thought-provoking book. "The First Phone Call From Heaven" wasn't my favourite of his, but it was still an enjoyable read. My only criticism was that there were too many characters and so the book chopped and changed, making it difficult to follow at times. However, I did love the ending.
Mitch Albom can always be relied on for a moving, thought-provoking book. "The First Phone Call From Heaven" wasn't my favourite of his, but it was still an enjoyable read. My only criticism was that there were too many characters and so the book chopped and changed, making it difficult to follow at times. However, I did love the ending.
The day that Sullivan “Sully” Harding is released from prison, some people in Coldwater, Michigan began to get phone calls from heaven. The news reported that Sully had been responsible for the death of his wife, Giselle. She was the love of his life and mother to their young son. It was a last minute decision to cover for a sick co-worker and a chance to see his wife that made Sully agree to fly that day. Unfortunately, he knew the rules against drinking before flying a plane when he risked everything that day. He didn’t realize that his mistake would cause his wife’s death. There were a lot of rumors when Sully went to prison for causing the accident which killed his wife. When he is released from prison he returns to his hometown, Coldwater, where his parents have been caring for his son, Jules. That very day people start getting phone calls from heaven. Once word about the phone calls from heaven get around, Coldwater is never the same again.It doesn’t take long for the small town of Coldwater to become crowded with visitors who want to be apart of the miracle. The quiet town changes as the many guests and residents divide into groups who believe and those who feel the whole story is a scam. Sully was determined to uncover the mystery of the phone calls. “He would attack this phony heaven thing. Expose it as the fraud it had to be. He may have been imprisoned, he may have been disgraced, he may have been scraping by in a new lousy life, but he still had his brain. He still knew the difference between the truth and a lie. He would do for his son-and for others dealing with real loss-what had never been done for him. Get to the bottom of the story.”“It was the day the world received its first phone call from heaven. What happened next depends on how much you believe.”
This was my third Mitch Albom book. I enjoy his writing. This is a small town in Michigan where 8 people are receiving phone calls from people who have passed away. Is it real or a hoax? I believe your loved ones are looking down on you and approach you sometimes in your dreams. But calling you on the phone...not so much. It's interesting to see who people react. I liked the little Alexander Graham Bell information thrown in. It's an enjoyable book and is a pretty fast read. I recommend it.
I received this book from TLC Book Tours, which is fabulous because it’s Mitch Albom! I mean, I’ve reviewed a few of his other books, and when I got the opportunity to read this one BEFORE it came out, it wasn’t even a question about saying yes!Keep it up, Mitch Albom, keep it up! The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom is another hit by the amazing author.All of a sudden, members of a small town begin to receive phone calls from their deceased loved ones, in their loved ones voices. That’s impossible, though! Are the phone calls really coming from heaven. . . or is this some sort of complicated fraud?For the full review, visit Love at First Book
Very simplistic. People are so gullible to believe 5 people are speaking to their departed loved ones. It seems easily disproved , yet throngs of people come to the small town and believe. Not his best book
A bit disappointed. It wasn't one of Albom's better novels.
Good read for audiobook to listen while walking the dog. Enjoyed, and a little surprise at the end.
I'm a fan of Mitch Albom and when I seen this book the title intrigued me. Knowing his previous work I knew this had to be good. I won't go into specifics on the story as there are plenty of more detailed reviews to read. The book catches you on the first page. The premise of someone calling from heaven is truly a thought provoking idea. I found the book an excellent read with well developed characters and lots of sub-plots. I does seem to drag a bit in the middle but the ending is very good and makes you feel the read is worthwhile. I wouldn't say it's Albom's best work but it is worth reading.
Mitch Albom has hit the nail on the head once again with this awesome novel about a small town that has been 'blessed' with phone calls from the deceased loved ones. What would you do? Would you question it or would you immediately believe that it's really them? If you aren't sure then you'll fit right in. Stop by the little town on Lake Michigan and find out. A fantastic, moving story from the first page to the last.
The title caught my eye right away.
I enjoyed this book, I learned a lot about the development of the telephone by Bell.
This is a story of a small town that certain people start getting calls from their loved ones that have died.
The world goes nuts all trying to get to this town and touch a person, buy the same phone as the person, have the person pray with them, etc
To be the side story is Sullivan.
Quite a few characters to keep track of but a book I think most would enjoy.
I enjoyed this book, I learned a lot about the development of the telephone by Bell.
This is a story of a small town that certain people start getting calls from their loved ones that have died.
The world goes nuts all trying to get to this town and touch a person, buy the same phone as the person, have the person pray with them, etc
To be the side story is Sullivan.
Quite a few characters to keep track of but a book I think most would enjoy.
I must admit I did not see the end coming until about 2/3 into the book. Albom is an amazing writer. His stories are so gentle and carefully crafted. He is able to have an impact on the reader without the "pyrotechnics" that so many seem to need. Every one of his books have made me really think - and have all had a lot to say.
Some days you simply need a feel good story. A story that will restore your faith in the universe. And that is the key to The First Phone Call From Heaven – Faith. An unexpected phone call is received by Tess Rafferty who happens to live in the small town of Coldwater, Michigan. It is from her deceased mother; and the call’s message brings much comfort to Tess. Shortly thereafter, a select few other residents of the town receive calls of their own from a deceased relative, friend, or business associate. Are these calls real? Can they be real? Is there truly a hot-line to heaven? As news of the calls spreads, the local police as well as all denominations of the local clergy find themselves thrust into the center of world-wide attention. On the other side of this miracle is Sullivan Harding. His story is one of despair and he tries to shield his young son from believing that his deceased mother will call him on a toy phone. Sullivan sets out to prove that this entire scenario is a hoax. But with the town becoming overrun with believers, news reporters, and protesters he has a tough time.This story is enchanting, humorous, serious, and believable. The characters are finely drawn and soon become old friends. Overall an easy read and an uplifting one. The story itself will have you second guessing the verity of the phone calls but the ending will have you believing that those on the ‘other side’ are listening, if not communicating. Mitch Albom fans are sure to love this story as will readers of Nicholas Sparks. I finished it in two days.
disappointing
Everything you could hope it would be. Well done, again, Mr. Albom. Another tale that will stay with me for a long, long time.
In small town Michigan, a woman receives a phone call from a dead relative. She isn’t the only one. Soon, we learn that about half a dozen Coldwater residents have gotten calls from heaven. The calls are short and the callers want people to know that death is nothing to fear, that the afterlife is wonderful, and that everyone needs to know about it. Some embrace this knowledge whole-heartedly, some are doubtful, some just want to get a good story out of it. Everyone in Coldwater has their life changed by these phone calls from heaven.Like most of Mitch Albom’s books, this is a short read, but it packs a whole lot in. We see just how quickly a media circus can grow out of this sort of thing, and how easily people are willing to take such reassuring knowledge at face value. Overall I enjoyed the book.
The Good Stuff I think we all know by know that I am not much of a religion girl, but won't lie I am a sucker for Albom's stories. Mostly because they deal more with faith than with religion pulls at your heart strings and makes you think - and cry A neat little mystery woven into this tale of faith, death, grief, forgiveness and hope You get a little history lesson about Alexander Graham Bell Realistic, likeable characters who have faults that we can all understand Gave me hope Got a kick out of the rivalry between the Catholic and Baptist church. Done very tastefully and with love Focuses on the power of belief, faith, hope and love - what more do you need. Albom always delivers in this area. This will be the perfect christmas present for anyone. Touching and beautiful, yet never saccharine - and most writers/readers will tell you this type of story can always go that way very easily Fast paced, quick read that feels like a giant hug from aboveThe Not so Good Stuff Makes me want a phone call from Mom, Dad and JerianneFavorite Quotes/Passages"The news of life is carried via telephone. A baby's birth, a couple engaged, a tragic accident on a late night highway -- most milestones of the human journey, good or bad, are foreshadowed by the sound of ringing.""Hell, the Bible says God spoke through a burning bush," Fred said. "Is that any stranger than a telephone?""Fear is how you lose your life ... a little bit at a time..What we give to fear, we take away from ... faith.""There is a time for hello and a time for goodbye. It's why the act of burying things seems natural but the act of digging them up does not."4.5 Dewey'sI received this from William Morrow (HarperCollins) in exchange for an honest review
When I first started the book I did not want to put it down, however as I read on it started to feel a bit tedious and get a tad bit boring. The story accurately portrays how the world would react to the news that there are people actually receiving phone calls from heaven. Those who believe, those who don't turning the town where it is taking place upside down along with the lives of those in the town, not just any one receiving the calls. It does end strong with a large dose of emotion and hope. The historical facts on the invention of the telephone are a nice touch.
"What happened next depends on how much you believe."After hearing of Mitch Albom’s latest novel, The First Phone Call From Heaven, I knew I had to read it. I’ve read his other novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, which I loved, so I was really looking forward to his view of heaven in his new book. Luckily I won this book on GoodReads and started reading as soon as I could.The people living in Coldwater, Michigan see a drastic change in the small town as news of heavenly phone calls reach the rest of the world. The story follows around the lives of many characters who all react to the phone calls in different ways.Tess lives alone in her mother’s house and works at a day care center. She receives a phone call from her deceased Mother, whom she moved in with when she became ill. Tess doesn’t seem to know what to do with this information and stays home from work in fear of missing her mother’s phone call, but eventually she comes to terms with what she believes god has given her.Katherine is very devoted to her church, which she attends on a regular basis. She lives alone in her house when she gets a phone call from her sister that she was once very close with. Due to her strong religious beliefs, Katherine thinks it’s her duty to spread the word about this miracle as god’s chosen messenger.Jack is the town police chief who lost his son in the war and later got divorced to his wife, Doreen, after his son’s death. Both of them get a phone call from their son, however Jack seems to keep it to himself therefore everyone thinks only Doreen got a call from her son. He becomes very busy, dealing with the influx of people as they visit Coldwater in hopes of getting a phone call themselves, which he isn’t too happy about.Sully has been recently released from prison for a crime that is later explained in the story. His wife has died, while he was in prison, and now his son thinks his mother will call him because of all the recent phone calls from heaven. He is very skeptical of the whole miracle and sets off to find proof to disprove the phone calls as heavenly.Amy is a small time reporter trying to make it big in the news industry. She is the first reporter to cover the heavenly phone calls in Coldwater and quickly befriends Katherine as she follows her around. However, Amy is a non believer despite being close with Katherine.Pastor Warren works for the baptist church who is friendly with Katherine. However, when Katherine reveals the phone call phenomenon to him, he is very skeptical and tries to discourage her from revealing anything to the church.You do not have to be a believer or non believer to enjoy this book. Albom’s writing is intriguing as you get to experience how each character deals with the phone calls. The idea of heaven being real is contemplated by every character even if they are a non believer. As you read, you yourself begin to question whether or not the phone calls are real.
Full disclosure - I am a First Reads winner of this book. Now on to the review.
I have read Mitch Albom before and loved him, but I have been reading murder mystery type books lately so I was worried that this book wouldn't keep my attention. I was truly wrong about that.
The characters are well developed and all of their stories kept me wanting more. The book focuses on a few people in the town of Coldwater, Michigan who are receiving phone calls from deceased family members, friends and co-workers (I almost said the calls are from loved ones, but that is not the case for all of them).
The stories talk about the relationships between the caller and the call receiver. They talk about the reactions of local townspeople as well as people all over the world when the news gets out about the calls.
There are believers and there are skeptics and both sides are out to prove the legitimacy/fraud of this miracle. One of the main characters, who is not getting any calls, is on a mission to prove this is a hoax.
When the reader reaches the climax of the book and thinks they will get the answers, the story throws even more questions at you that you hadn't even considered in the first place.
I love this book and I would highly recommend it. Albom kept me hooked from beginning to end. I read this book in 3 days - couldn't put it down. Happy reading!
I have read Mitch Albom before and loved him, but I have been reading murder mystery type books lately so I was worried that this book wouldn't keep my attention. I was truly wrong about that.
The characters are well developed and all of their stories kept me wanting more. The book focuses on a few people in the town of Coldwater, Michigan who are receiving phone calls from deceased family members, friends and co-workers (I almost said the calls are from loved ones, but that is not the case for all of them).
The stories talk about the relationships between the caller and the call receiver. They talk about the reactions of local townspeople as well as people all over the world when the news gets out about the calls.
There are believers and there are skeptics and both sides are out to prove the legitimacy/fraud of this miracle. One of the main characters, who is not getting any calls, is on a mission to prove this is a hoax.
When the reader reaches the climax of the book and thinks they will get the answers, the story throws even more questions at you that you hadn't even considered in the first place.
I love this book and I would highly recommend it. Albom kept me hooked from beginning to end. I read this book in 3 days - couldn't put it down. Happy reading!
Mitch Albom is one of those authors who could write about any topic under the sun and make it drop-dead amazing. He captivated readers in the past with his original stories, stunning attention to personal detail, and an unembellished, but deeply poignant style, and in his newest novel, he once again works his rare magic, reclaiming his title as my most cherished inspirational and literary fiction writer.The First Phone Call from Heaven intimately follows the lives of the chosen children, parents, and spouses of Coldwater whose lives are forever altered when they receive phone calls from those they are mourning... their dead loved ones. Sparking extreme media interest and frenzied support, as well as protest from those who cannot let go of the controversy of divine voices coming through man-made technology, these phone calls become the world's biggest spectacle—except to Sully Harding, who is past skepticism, and now is just downright angry with the nonsense. The sudden "miracle" is giving his young son false hope, and it's making it impossible for a non-believer like him to come to terms with his wife's tragic death; through town resources and the cooperation of his community members, he is determined to expose the phone calls as an utter hoax.But in the end, we beg to ask: Does it really matter whether the phone calls are actually a miracle from up above, or if they're a worldly intervention? After all, they are the best thing that's happened to Coldwater, and better yet, they're giving lost souls on Earth a chance to reconnect with the lost souls in heaven, and accept the notion of death.Through the intertwined stories of various personal losses and varying levels of religiosity, Albom gives readers a glimpse of miraculous healing even when the source isn't necessarily a miracle, as well as emphasizes what it truly means to believe. The First Phone Call from Heaven contains one of Albom's characteristic fantasy worlds, so vividly illustrated in a precious literary tone and through a contemporary community.Regardless of whether your belief is placed in a higher power or just in yourself, I guarantee you will find this an affecting novel about coping, reminiscing, and living—because all these can happen, even if you lose someone you love. It isn't a religious novel if you don't make it out to be. Albom's message isn't about God or prayer or anything remotely affiliated; it's about the importance of healing and keeping faith in our lives.As Sully begins to accept the loss of his beautiful wife, and as he begins to crack down on the mystery of the heavenly communication, he discovers shattering secrets and an unsettling realization that, although having never received one, he is undeniably connected to these phone calls. Readers will root for Sully on his difficult path to letting go of his anger over what he considers his life's greatest injustice: forgiving those responsible, forgiving the God he's so weary of hearing about, and most of all, forgiving himself.Pros: Albom does not disappoint // Smooth, simple, but incredibly powerful style // Fast-paced; does not drag // Beautiful inspirational message about loss, love, and life // Well-fleshed characters // Contemporary novel with an almost allegorical, fantastical toneCons: Obviously not extremely realistic // Keeping track of all the townsmembers' names gets a little confusingVerdict: Mitch Albom's newest and most anticipated book reminds individuals of the omnipresence of heaven and the impossibility of any human soul ever being forgotten, even after death. With the same seamless, heartfelt writing we all fell in love with in his previous works, as well as the kind of fresh, enlightening plot that is unique to his stories, Albom's The First Phone Call in Heaven is a breathtakingly inspirational and deeply meaningful novel about living without fear—which is to say, having faith.Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read that will be worth your while; highly recommended.Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC!).
Imagine receiving a phone call from someone who was in your life and is now deceased. Imagine further that the caller is telling you they are in heaven. Mitch Albom's novel, The First Phone Call from Heaven, is the story of such phone calls and their impact on the recipients as well as the town they live in. Initially, those receiving the calls didn't know about the others who were being contacted. Eventually, as word spreads, outsiders descend upon the town looking for proof. Can this really be happening- are people actually calling from heaven? Sully Harding, recently released from prison, is convinced the calls are a hoax and will go to great lengths to uncover the truth. He, too, has lost someone and there is much at stake.From the first page, it is obvious that this is a special book. It is imaginative and exciting. The characters are well developed. Natural prose makes them believable. Deftly described, their fears, hopes, faith and vulnerabilities are easy to relate to. The story takes several turns and the end is surprising-to say the least. Mr. Albom is a master story teller. He has crafted an engrossing and memorable novel.I received this book for free through Goodreads and I give this review of my own free will.
Enjoyable book that keeps you riveted. The book makes you ask yourself the question "What if I was called from the other side?" A sweet story with a little bit of suspense thrown in for good measure, Mitch Albom's book will leave you with a smile on your face.
Actually, this book was more than I thought it would be. Yes, it pits those who believe in a place called Heaven with those who don't but it's actually a good mystery as well. When deceased people begin to call residents of a small town in northern Michigan it at first seems like a miracle. Some folks are very receptive to it while others consider it a nightmare. As with all newsworthy moments, people start to swarm into this quiet little town and news media is there to cover every minute of it. Either people are easily drawn to the story because they unquestionably believe it to be true or they are skeptical and ready to disprove it.Albom juxtaposed this story with Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone and it works quite well.A quick read and Albom has many quotable lines worth remembering no matter what your belief. Interesting book club discussions may ensue from this read.Edit More
This isn't the first book I've read by this author but it might be my last. I found this story very hard to get into. I probably would never have chosen this book to read but my neighbor thought I'd enjoy it since she and her sister did. She was wrong.I wish I could give it more than three stars but I just can't do it. The book started off slow and it never picked up.
I love the way with all of Albom's book when I pick them up I struggle to put it down till it is finished then like an old friend I still have to revisit it again. This book had me hooked sat on the side lines waiting listening almost taking part. My emotions heightened and working overtime wondering , "you know its feasible".No I am not giving much away because that is the beauty of his books I recommend them gladly the only author I recommend to all my friends because I know for some reason everyone can take something from his books.
Wouldn't you love to get a phone call from a loved one from heaven? Mitch Albom creates a tale about some people in a small town that mysteriously begin getting these calls. Many questions are eventually aswered. How? Why? Why them? Can these calls be induced to happen? Why in this particular town? These and others will be answered through Mitch Albom's unique storytelling. It is a fun read that may even make you think a bit.
I had seen this book on a lot of people's list and thought I would give it a try.
I rather enjoyed this book, so much so that I eagerly gobbled it up and wanted to find out whether or not the phone calls are real or not.
Now there's a certain amount of religious undertones here, which doesn't bother me that much but did get a little tedious after a while.
I like how some historical moments and tidbits were incorporated into the story. Like the first phone call Alexander Graham Bell made and what he said. That was pretty neat.
Regardless of you are a skeptic or not of life beyond what we know, the phone calls certainly were inspirational and stirred a lot of interest. Especially those who have lost a loved one and are constantly looking for signs from above. It's interesting how the entire story played out, it went from a few simple phone calls to a whirlwind of social media circus. I liked reading each characters stories and how the phone calls changed their lives through it all and afterwards.
The climax was a little meh though. So like everything was orchestrated by the funeral director, who was actually the dad of the airport technician that caused Sully to crash and lose his wife, as a way to demonstrate his remorse for everything his son did... like ok... and the whole undercover agents surrounding the property not long after Sully leaves after a confrontation was like what the?! like couldn't the agents of acted sooner or like what's with the mysterious timing? a little too far fetched and bit of a let down
Overall, it was an interesting and quick read.
I rather enjoyed this book, so much so that I eagerly gobbled it up and wanted to find out whether or not the phone calls are real or not.
Now there's a certain amount of religious undertones here, which doesn't bother me that much but did get a little tedious after a while.
I like how some historical moments and tidbits were incorporated into the story. Like the first phone call Alexander Graham Bell made and what he said. That was pretty neat.
Regardless of you are a skeptic or not of life beyond what we know, the phone calls certainly were inspirational and stirred a lot of interest. Especially those who have lost a loved one and are constantly looking for signs from above. It's interesting how the entire story played out, it went from a few simple phone calls to a whirlwind of social media circus. I liked reading each characters stories and how the phone calls changed their lives through it all and afterwards.
The climax was a little meh though. So like everything was orchestrated by the funeral director, who was actually the dad of the airport technician that caused Sully to crash and lose his wife, as a way to demonstrate his remorse for everything his son did... like ok... and the whole undercover agents surrounding the property not long after Sully leaves after a confrontation was like what the?! like couldn't the agents of acted sooner or like what's with the mysterious timing? a little too far fetched and bit of a let down
Overall, it was an interesting and quick read.
The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom
383 pages
★★★ ½
Description via Amazon: The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.
I have never particularly seen myself as a religious or even spiritual person, yet I cannot help but to delve into a Mitch Albom book (author of other books such as Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Mean in Heaven), they just inspire and give hope. I could not wait to get his newest book, The First Phone Call From Heaven, and I gobbled up this 300 page book in just over 24 hours. Is it as good as some of his earlier books? No. I think Albom is great as his ability to say so much without saying so much, if that makes sense. He uses his ability of subtlety to let the reading infer the message and I’ve always appreciated that. This book is a bit more in your face, more action packed than any of his previous books. However, it’s still well written and as always, the ending brought a tear to my eye. I think it’s worth the read if you are Mitch Albom fan who has read his other stuff. If you are a first-time Mitch Albom reader, I’d start elsewhere.
383 pages
★★★ ½
Description via Amazon: The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.
I have never particularly seen myself as a religious or even spiritual person, yet I cannot help but to delve into a Mitch Albom book (author of other books such as Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Mean in Heaven), they just inspire and give hope. I could not wait to get his newest book, The First Phone Call From Heaven, and I gobbled up this 300 page book in just over 24 hours. Is it as good as some of his earlier books? No. I think Albom is great as his ability to say so much without saying so much, if that makes sense. He uses his ability of subtlety to let the reading infer the message and I’ve always appreciated that. This book is a bit more in your face, more action packed than any of his previous books. However, it’s still well written and as always, the ending brought a tear to my eye. I think it’s worth the read if you are Mitch Albom fan who has read his other stuff. If you are a first-time Mitch Albom reader, I’d start elsewhere.
Summary:
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.
An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
My take: 3 stars
I hesitate to call this Christian fiction, because, strictly speaking, it is not; however, I think it mostly fits the bill.
I disagree with the summary that it is an allegory of the power of belief. When the first phone call is received, it is met with elation by the recipient. What is the proof? The voice on the other end is unmistakable. How can it be a hoax? There is even a conversation, albeit it brief and a bit fragmented. But the voice. It has to be.
As the phone calls continue, received by eight people from different backgrounds, walks of life, and faith situations, the blessing turns into something else.
"Instead of feeling reconnected with her only son, she felt his loss as palpably as she did when the news of his death arrived. An unexpected phone call here or there? A clipped conversation? A phenomenon that might disappear as quickly as it came? The awful part would still not change. Robbie was never coming home." p136
I think Albom is a good writer, and his books have always resonated with me. However, this one fell a bit flat. While I found the characters to be well-flushed, I found some of the situations a bit contrived, sophomoric, or just plain unrealistic. For example, the fact that Doreen and the police chief had been divorced 6 years, and she still felt emotions surrounding him so intensely.
In the end, I was satisfied with the ending, but would recommend his other books before this one.
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.
An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
My take: 3 stars
I hesitate to call this Christian fiction, because, strictly speaking, it is not; however, I think it mostly fits the bill.
I disagree with the summary that it is an allegory of the power of belief. When the first phone call is received, it is met with elation by the recipient. What is the proof? The voice on the other end is unmistakable. How can it be a hoax? There is even a conversation, albeit it brief and a bit fragmented. But the voice. It has to be.
As the phone calls continue, received by eight people from different backgrounds, walks of life, and faith situations, the blessing turns into something else.
"Instead of feeling reconnected with her only son, she felt his loss as palpably as she did when the news of his death arrived. An unexpected phone call here or there? A clipped conversation? A phenomenon that might disappear as quickly as it came? The awful part would still not change. Robbie was never coming home." p136
I think Albom is a good writer, and his books have always resonated with me. However, this one fell a bit flat. While I found the characters to be well-flushed, I found some of the situations a bit contrived, sophomoric, or just plain unrealistic. For example, the fact that Doreen and the police chief had been divorced 6 years, and she still felt emotions surrounding him so intensely.
In the end, I was satisfied with the ending, but would recommend his other books before this one.