Book Review: Tuesdays with Morrie
Original review written 1/21/21
Title: Tuesdays with Morrie
Author: Mitch Albom
What's it about?
This, short book is a memoir of two friends who have found a way to touch each other's lives in the most profound and powerful of ways. We start on Mitch's college graduation day as he says good bye to his favorite professor turned friend and make his way into the "real" world. As time moves forward, Mitch finds himself living a life unlike what he had dreamt of, planned for or, even, wanted. Yes, he's found success, but at what cost?
And then, one night, he learns that his somewhat eccentric professor from college that he had grown to love so much is in the mist of the fight of his life, a fight for survival that he is guaranteed to lose.
In a somewhat sub-conscience attempt to become the person he once was and a desire to see his professor, who he had once lovingly called coach, one more time, he makes his way back to see Morrie one more time.
As the fates would have it, Mitch and Morrie reinstated their sacred Tuesdays. Mitch would fly back to sit with his favorite professor once a week, as Morrie deteriorated from ALS and Morrie happily shed his wisdom upon anyone who would willing accept it.
Favorites:
Favorite Character: This time, answering this question is easy! Morrie! I loved him! He was wise and eccentric; quirky and affectionate. He had this phenomenal strength emotionally, mentally and physically. I felt like his light shone through the pages of this book in a way had not even begun to expect.
Least Favorite Characters: I don't know that there was a character I didn't like. At first, I thought that the answer to this would be Mitch, but then I realized that's not really true. It's not true because I respect his self awareness and his desire and ability to change what he disliked about himself. He took what Morrie said to heart. I respect that. I like that. I understand that. So, the answer is...there isn't one.
Favorite Part: There are a few moments that I enjoyed but my favorite may be (though I suspect that the answer may be different if you ask me again later) was when Ted Koppel came to interview Morrie and Morrie interviewed Ted. He didn't bow down or put up a show, he was just himself and made sure that Ted was the right man for the job.
Favorite Quotes: This was another book that provided me with a lot of quotes so I'm going to have to take a moment to pick and choose which ones to use. Please forgive me if I don't choose your favorite, as this is really a hard task.
"The problem, Mitch, is that we don't believe we are as much a like as we are. Whites and black. Catholics and Protestants, mean and women. If we saw each other as more alike, we might be very eager to join in one big human family in this world, and to care about that family the way we care about our own." (pg.156) The first thing that ran through my head when I read this, I thought, "Wow! This is so relevant to our world today! Just as much so, if not more then all those years ago when Morrie said this!" There was just something so profound to me in this but so much of how profound we found this as it is a belief I have always held dear to my heart, too! (And yes. It's reasons like this that made me fall in love with Morrie). (pg. 156)
You have to find what's good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue. (pg. 120) I've always believed that the past is a part of who I am and that it's important. Sometimes I had a harder time letting them stay behind me then I do today but today, at this point in my life, I respect and value the past but I know it's just stepping stones for where I am now and where I'm going to go tomorrow. (pg. 120)
I decided I'm going to live-or at least try to live- the way I want, with dignity, with courage, with humor, with composure. (pg. 21)
Any other thoughts?
I chose to review this book because I had heard people talking about this book. Most liked it, some didn't but I was intrigued. So, when it came through and I found it in my inventory, I knew it was one I had read and review. I expected something preachy and almost in your face. I expected something dark and heavy. What I didn't expect was this.
I found a beautiful, humanistic story about a man filled with positivity and strength and love and a man who needed to find that in his life again. I thought there might be some good moments, but I didn't expect to find a book so filled with "moments" that I could no longer consider them moments, but the bulk of the book. I knew going into it that the chances of having a happy, uplifting ending was slim to none but that anticipation didn't cloud over the experience. I was pleasantly surprised.
I found this book enlightening, inspiring and enjoyable. I flew through it! I read it in less then 24 hours but didn't feel like I had read almost 200 pages in the process. It was smooth even though there was some bouncing around. It was emotional int he best, real, way that comes with a illness so deadly and relentless. I didn't join Mitch on Tuesdays with this somber "He's going to die" but with an excitement because I loved seeing Morrie and getting to know him better. I knew that I'd laugh, I'd nod in agreement and be forced to think and about my own beliefs and life.
This book isn't perfect and may not be right for those who do not enjoy some philosophical discussion, wise wisdom that may not at all feel as if relates to you but, as it sits and marinates, you know that some way, somehow it will. While some may see this story as being sad and slightly cold, I found it to be warm and a private little ray of sunshine that, while not just for me but for everyone who reads this book, felt like it was just for me in that moment. Now, sitting here, about 24 hours from when I completed this book, I feel like this book helped me become a better person in some way that I can't see yet or identify but something, on a microscopic level has been changed.
What did I rate this book?
I give this book a
4
out of
5 nights out dancing
