Enjoyable Enough but not Endearing

“For One More Day”, Mitch Albom’s latest novel, is another bittersweet tale of life, love, and loss. As with his previous similar themed books, it’s a quick read. The short 197 pages yield a tug at the heartstrings but it lacks the intense and personal punch “Tuesdays with Morrie” delivered.

Despite the weak conveyance, “For One More Day” remains a tender tale. Without retelling the story or giving away the plot, Charles "Chick" Benetto is the book’s main character. He experiences a poignant lesson of a mother’s unending devotion and a son’s regret of not recognizing her unconditional gifts. This is reveled to him through a supernatural mirage while he is unconscious from an auto accident.

The message of “For One More Day” is a familiar one. Mitch Albom gives this universal theme another look at through Chick’s relating of his experience to another person. It’s a gritty and aching account of his life. The revelations he has don’t come as a complete surprise to the reader but remain engaging none the less. The ending has a pleasant twist but it’s not enough to deem the story exciting or freshly original.

I found the book easy to read but not as an endearing as Mitch Albom’s previous novels. Chick’s dreary outlook on the world dampens my enthusiasm for his character. I just couldn’t invest in him as I did with Eddie in “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”. This is where the author lets the reader down. You never really feel deeply connected with the characters or the story of “For One More Day”.

Despite the slight disconnection, a tow on your emotions is achieved. Chick’s mom, Pauline (Posey) Benetto, is pictured as the classical epitome of a mother. She’s does everything for the welfare of her children. A woman of various talents, unknown of course to her son, she gives up her own dreams and self for the love of her son and daughter. We may recognize in her our own mother’s sacrifice or what we think a mom’s offerings should be. Because of this we can relate to Chick’s feelings of shame over cruel childhood comments and behaviors we’ve inflected on our moms. We recognize our own shortcomings as adults in our parental relationships. It’s through these widely shared feelings that we’re able to tear up at the slushy story of “For One More Day”.

Overall, it’s a nice enough book. However, if you’re accustomed to Mitch Albom’s other works then know “For One More Day” isn’t as superbly written as “Tuesdays with Morrie” thus I would recommend it for reading but not for buying. “For One More Day” was a gift that I shared with family and friends. If possible, borrow it from your relations or the local library. Truthfully, I would give it three and a half stars but since that’s not a possibility, it wins the favor of rounding up.