Review: Mitch Albom's "Have a Little Faith: A True Story"
I read Mitch Albom’s “have a little faith: a true story” last week on some planes and found it a simple though enjoyable read. Honestly, I was a little skeptical before beginning. I received an advance copy to review here, and it’s not my go-to genre — sort of “religious inspirational.” All things considered, however, the book was plenty fine.
The story is in jumpcut memoir style, flipping back and forth between the author’s reflections on his own faith, his renewed relationship with his rabbi from back home, and interactions with a former drug addict pastor/homeless shelter director. To say it’s in an informal style is an understatement (this coming from a very informal writer myself). Overall, I mostly appreciated the conversational snippet sort of style.
In terms of a book on faith, it’s hard to knock because this is Albom’s personal story. I mean, I don’t want to crack on a guy’s faith that he seems to really be coming to understand in greater ways. That said, at times I questioned if his recollections of his rabbi’s wisdom were just too stereotypical, too sentimentalized. In fact, “sentimental” is probably the ultimate descriptor of this quick read.
If your faith is in a dry place and needs a pick-me-up, if you want a book on the mushy side, then pick up a copy of “have a little faith.” It won’t rock your world, but it might keep you going. And sometimes that enough.
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I have this book in the stack by my bed, waiting to be read. I’ll let you know what I think. Thanks for the review!
Fun, Cynthia. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know.
If you’ve read Mitch Albom’s new book, HAVE A LITTLE FAITH, you are familiar with Pastor Henry Covington, one of the two spiritual leaders profiled in his book. Henry’s church in Detroit is in need of repair. A gaping hole in the roof needs to be patched before the cruelness of a Michigan winter sets in.
Mitch’s A HOLE… IN THE ROOF FOUNDATION has started the SHINGLE BELLS CAMPAIGN. Though a partial portion of the donations have come in to fix the roof, $20,000 is still needed to finish the job. Any money over and above the necessary donations to fix the Pilgrim Church will go toward repairing other houses of worship that are in need of funds.
For more information on this great cause, as well as a link to the donation page, please visit:http://mitchalbom.com/news/node/5942/A_Special_Message_from_Mitch_about_A_Hole_in_the_Roof
PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! Let’s all try to help Pastor Covington raise the much needed funds he needs before year’s end!
im halfway thru the book already and i really find it fascinating.. it was written in a way that every reader would really understands what mitch albom is feeling about his beliefs.. if you want to find a way back to your belief, definitely this is the book to read..
I just finished listening to Have A Little Faith. It was a great story. Quite inspiring. Should be a boost to anyone’s faith.
The singing Rabbi was hilarious. The lessons shared were thought provoking.