Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom

I like Mitch Albom's books. They are short and sweet. Sometimes perhaps a little too sweet. Nevertheless, he makes a lazy reader like me feel good as I can finish any one of his books 2 days tops.

This book, very much like his previous ones, has something to do with death.

"Have A Little Faith" is a true story and is quite reminiscent of "Tuesdays With Morrie". There are however two (instead of one) central characters.

One is a rabbi (Jewish cleric) who one day asks the author to do his eulogy when he dies. The funny thing is, at the time of the request, the rabbi was in the pink of health. The author, who is of Jewish faith as well only knew the rabbi as a rabbi. He then decides to get closer to the rabbi and meets the rabbi often, as a way to sort of prepare himself to write the eulogy.

The other character is a born-again Christian church pastor, a reformed drug addict and drug dealer.

To get the message that the author intended, one has to really read the book. I find it amazing that despite the fact that the insights of these two central characters are actually very universal. These two characters had very divergent backgrounds yet on the issues of faith, spirituality and purpose in life, many parallels are laid out. The lessons are really simple but thought provoking. I also like how the author addresses certain "uncomfortable" issues e.g. inter-faith understanding and tolerance through the perspective of these two characters.

I feel that there are many lessons one can take, regardless of one's religious affiliation.

Yeah, it does sound corny I guess but I found a renewed perspective of spiritually after reading this book.

My rating: 3.9 over 5
Message: Mitch Albom's works are not for everyone. If you are not into books without mind numbing horror, edge-of-the-seat thrilling moments, sex, violence, sappy romance etc then this book is certainly not for you.

Ciao!
Amir Fuad.