The Time Keeper

Took way too long to get to the point and was annoyingly predictable 

Really makes me stop and think about time as a construct, and how I use the time I have.

I have to say, now my favourite book. For possibly the first time a book has truly made me think about how I view life and, in this case, particularly time.

I wish I could gift this book to everyone. It might leave you in tears, but in a good way. Its message is subtle and yet profound and forces you stop and think about time. In our world that seems to go faster and faster, where we rarely stop to appreciate the moments, the people, the single miracle of the day that is given to us, this wonderful fable takes you on a journey of time and reminds us all of the miracle that each day presents and that no matter what happens, that we should fully appreciate all its small treasures and how precious each life is.

It was an easy read with a good message. Some nice aphorisms to take away with you.

Dor (Father Time) loses his wife and tries to alter time to undo her passing. As purgatory, he is forced to live multiple lifetimes hearing the cries and pleas of people on Earth praying to have just a little more (or less) time. Dor descends back to Earth to share what he has learned through his lifetimes with Sarah and Victor, both of whom experience trials in their lives causing them to take measures to try to shorten (Sara) or prolong (Victor) their lives. By providing them with glimpses of how their actions might affect their futures and those of their loved ones, Dor teaches Sara and Victor that time is something that can't be bought or sold. And that the reason our days are numbered is “to make each one precious” Otherwise, “with endless time, nothing is special with no loss or sacrifice; we can't appreciate what we have.” The story is reminiscent of the Christmas classic film “It's a Wonderful Life.” Though not a tear jerker, The Time Keeper is a simple and quick read and a great reminder for us all to stop and smell the roses once in a while.

Albom is more known for his non-fiction books, including The Five People You Meet In Heaven which can be clearly seen in his style of writing. At its foundational level, the book is about Father Time - not in any allegorical manner, it is literally about the personification of the man who invented and is in charge of the concept of time.

Each part of the storyline is sectioned off with a sub-title introducing what comes within. Parts switch from the story of Father Time to two humans in search of more time in regular situations such as anxiously waiting for a date or postponing your own death. Albom channels his non-fiction writing in sections to directly address the reader about the concept of time.

The good thing about this book is that Father Time isn't some happy go-lucky god worshiper even though he does work closely with the personification of god. All he wants to do is to let time pass for him since the death of his wife, so god finally lets him interact with the humans to teach us about the true meaning of time.

However, the book plays with Paulo Coelho's, with Albom even referencing The Alchemist in the plot, style prose. and while that may have worked for Coelho the first time, the style of reformed motivational speakers reverberates through a book that could have taken a sci-fi turn for the good. While this style alone isn't really enough to categorize the book as “bad”, it helps the book fit right into the realm of suburban families trying to feel more in-touch with the way of the world and other new-age shenanigans.