The Time Keeper

Wow, Mitch Albom is the master of fantasy, and even though I know this story is fictional, I'm always left wondering if there is a possibility? When a book makes you feel like that, the author is awesome, which Mitch is. This story follows the lives of Dor, who later becomes Father Time, Sarah and Victor. They couldn't possibly have known how coming from two different worlds, would end up merging in this one. We first meet Dor as a little boy asking questions plentiful of his parents, and frolicking in the grass with his good childhood friends, Alli and Nim. But regardless as to what the other children were doing, Dor was always measuring time. It was his destiny of sorts. When Dor is approached about working on a Tower project with his childhood friend, Nim, who has since been throne the King, he's at a loss for words. The next decision Dor makes takes the reader on a wonderful journey and will cause you to pause and think about how one measures his own time, and is all this time measuring worth it in the end? You will really think with this story! It's not so fictional after all! If you loved The Five People You Meet in Heaven, YOU will be just as captivated by this tale. Wonderfully written, strong characters and just a wholesome good feeling all 'round! Outstanding read! I highly recommend! The ending, as with The Five People, made me cry because I just loved what happened! Mitch knows how to tug at the heartstrings! Simply delightful!

I have really enjoyed Mitch Albom's other books, so when I heard about this one, I was instantly interested. When I read a brief synopsis (that it was a story of Father Time and how people had become obsessed with time), I was even more interested. When I was in Peru, I realized how obsessed with time I am (and every American I know is). It was very eye-opening to see a society that really lacks the obsession that we have. It was a huge adjustment when I got there, and an even bigger adjustment when I got home. (I remember my husband--boyfriend at the time--asking me on dates for 7pm. I'd be out running errands, get home at 7:10 and be absolutely shocked that he was already there.) OK, back to the book: I'm starting a book club with some friends and I was in charge of deciding the first book. So I chose this one. Here's my review: Great! I think that as I continue to think about it, I'll have more insights. But first impressions: It certainly makes me think. How am I obsessed with time? Do I want more time at times? Do I want less at times? What do I fear about time? What do I like about time? In what ways does calculating time make life easier? In what ways does calculating time make life harder? How are skyscrapers and wealth a symbol of our constant quest for power? Am I constantly on that quest? How is that detrimental to my relationships? Is calculating time a method of feeling in control? How come it makes us feel out of control? Have I ever had a moment in my life when I actually wasn't thinking at all about time? What was that like? Why was that different than every other moment that I've had?

This was another thought provoking book from the author. For me personally it came at a period in my own life when time is all I think about. My dad is dying his time slipping away , all of my mother's time is spent caring for him, my job wants more and more of my time, my husband gets less and less of it and my children are drifting in their lives thinking their time is endless. Everyday is a race with the clock but most of my time is spent doing what I have to do and not what I want to. This book reminded me that every day should not be ruled by the clock. That, yes we have obligations such as work that require adherence to a schedule, but sometimes we speed up our own clocks just by the power we give to time- both the counting of it and the passing of it. Time will pass and we need to accept that fact not waste time railing against it. We need to slow down and savor our time. We don't have to fit in as much as possible into every hour of every day. For each one of us our time here on Earth is finite. We need to learn to cherish all of our time -the happy and the sad. It is a perfect book for this time in our world when everything is moving faster and faster. Everyone wants more and more of everything. If we have so many devices in our world to make our lives easier why do we seem to have less and less time for the things that really matter to us? The answer is choice. What choices do we make everyday? What do we sacrifice in our dance with time?

Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper is a fascinating foray into the concept of time - do you have enough / do you not have enough time? The characters are believable, the plot is memorizing, the unfolding of the story is well paced. Even though the ending is predictable, I still found myself cheering. It is comparable to The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It is a good read.

After having read "The five people you meet in heaven" my expectations were sky high. And somewhat dissapointed! The plot of a man from ancient times, who is punished by God(s) for having invented time keeping is close to genious. The irony of having to spend eternity observing what his invention does to the human race, fully immune to time, is beautifull. The story and the narrating are well composed and easy to follow, also for a non-native English reader. The story, told in present, keeps the suspense, even though as a reader you feel you know something the people in the book doesn't - only you can't figure out what it is! As a person living in our modern day, the reader is living the same conditions as the book - this is the story of all of us, and one will feel the burden of the invention of time. You see, how man has become a slave to something only an idea. So the wisdom of the book is undeniable. I am, as a reader, compelled to think about my own relationship to time and what I hold dear in my own life. And also, the deeper questions of meaning and existential freedom, that M. Albom so excelled in in "The five peole you meet in heaven." However, I only give 4 stars for the story because of the ending, which dissapointed me (no spoilers to follow), and the fact that I know Mitch Albom can do better substracts another star, leaving me with only 3 stars. The second half of the book, where father time is sent out to redeem his sin, simply does not live up to the rest. Especially the ending is a bit hasty, as if the writer ran out of paper (or time...?.). I wish he would republish with a better worked through point!. None the less, the book offers a chance to give some consideration to important topics. Just do it while you read - don't wait till after you finish.

A book full of contrasts to help appreciate the diversity of life. A gentle reminder that hope is in allowing the next moment to be ground breaking and eventful.

Does “time” even exist? Or is it just an illusion… The stage staying the same While actors come and go Here that topic explored Brilliantly dissected, shown Happy endings galore… Or just our deepest hopes Placing bets on Lady Luck.

I rated 4 out of 5 stars. To me it is wonderful book. Excellent. Enjoyable. Fast paced. I will definitely read other Mitch Albom books. If I put 5 stars on it, this book would have be my best book of the year or best of all I ever read. Well I had other book that I like the best. I like the way the author put a few characters came together at the end. Science Fiction. Unique. Time related. Year from 4000 BC to 2012 AD. Dor, Father Time, was confined solitarily in the cave for about 6,000 years for trying to measure God's gift of time. His mind and body never been aged. Until many years later, he was released but he needed to help other people's problem before he started to age again. I was a little irked by the name: Dor. Later I think I understood what Mitch Albom was trying to tell us that he was coming from 4000 BC. His year and culture were different than ours. I recommend this book to any of you who would enjoy something different and unique with time.

It is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. I simply love the author, he never disappoints with his insightful point of view of life. Definitely a must read

Ce livre est un conte à la fois divertissant et profond. Il fait réellement réfléchir sur notre condition humaine dans l'espace temps.Je vous conseille de vous procurer la version audio ( éditée par Hyperion Audio et réalisée par l'acteur Dan Stevens) et d'écouter les CD en suivant avec le livre. C'est un régal car vous vous croyez vraiment dans un film.

best book ever !

As usual, Mitch Albom kept me completely captivated throughout this entire book. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer! I'm not going to say anything about the highly original content, as half the charm of this book is discovering that for yourself. What I will say is that I thought about the lessons in this book for a long time afterwards. My advice is to savour the ideas put into your head by this book for a while before moving onto your next book. Time management is a big issue for me, making time somewhat of an enemy in my life. While this book is NOT a time-management book, it made me feel much more accepting of what time brings to my life, and how to appreciate the time I do have, while I have it.

Pre-Script: Biased opinion from Albom's fan Fifth book of this beautiful writer... Tuesdays with Morrie, Five people you meet in Heaven, For one more day, First phone call from Heaven, Time Keeper... Every time I write about any of his books, I will keep recalling all the books that I have read... Such mesmerizing, perfectly-defining-life books... He is the best self-help author that I know of... Of course, there is Paulo whom I admire to the core. Yet, there is a distinction between these writers. Paulo's books are full of quotes which give you the headlines about life. Mitch Albom's books are the op-ed pages of life. Now, you get it right. Dor tries to measure everything that he can think of. Even time. He observes that the shadow of an object is the same on every day and herein lies the story of measuring time. He loves only two things - his wife Alli and measuring time. But, when his wife dies of a disease, he decides it is time to teach God a lesson and he climbs a very tall tower to reach God. Then, a blessing or a curse depending on whose perspective you take, God allows Dor to live for eternity. Come back to today and Dor has to teach the value of time to two people - One who is craving for more and one who wants to end their time in this world. One of the best things about his books is that they are very small. You can complete them in one sitting. Moreover, the way he writes is plain simple. Nothing more and nothing less. Just enough to describe the situation.