Book Review: Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom

First things first: This book review is here 1) because I read it and wanted to talk about it and 2) because it does - however remotely - talk about Religion. Most of what it says is that "religions other than Christianity have something to offer, too". Now, on to the review...

My mom bought this book for me a while ago. I admit I was hesitant to read it because I don't generally go for sentimental reading. But, I read it anyway. I have to say that I was less disappointed than I thought I'd be. I know that's not a rave review, but then I came into it predisposed to not liking it.

Basically, it's the story of a man whose old teacher is dying of ALS, which - if you don't know already you will certainly know by the end of the book - consists of a painful and debilitating end to one's life. The professor's name is Morrie (shocking, no?) and he and his student meet every Tuesday (Ho ho! Didn't see that coming, did ya?) to discuss life, et al.

The book - which is equal parts fiction, non-fiction, and self-help - is ultimately readable with short chapters and accessible language. I read the whole thing in about two and a half hours (over five days while taking the subway). It's filled with a lot of little phrases that are meant to be memorable but are basically those things that, when presented with them out of context, we'd all say "Yeah, yeah, I know". Sort of like when someone tells you "You know, you really shouldn't speed"; it's one of those things that we all know but that we simply don't pay attention to. If Albom's intention was to bring these common ideas to the front of our minds - even if for just a moment - then he was quite successful. Also, I was distracted by the relationship of the student and the teacher. I felt it was far too intimate both for two heterosexual men or for a student and a teacher (even if they are both adults). I kept expecting a surprise at the end of the book that the professor was secretly in love with the author, but, again I was disappointed.

If you're looking for something heart-warming that's going to try to make you cry, then you should absolutely read this book. However, I didn't really care for it.

For the record, this review would have been even more scathing if I hadn't realized after finishing it that it was mostly a true story. This makes the quasi "wisdom" a little more palatable, but I still didn't like it.