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The Time Keeper
The Time Keeper
Author: Mitch Albom
From the author who's inspired millions worldwide with books like Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven comes his most imaginative novel yet, The Time Keeper--a compelling fable about the first man on earth to count the hours. The man who became Father Time. In Mitch Albom's newest work of fiction, the inventor of the world...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781401322786
ISBN-10: 1401322786
Publication Date: 9/11/2012
Pages: 240
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 84

3.4 stars, based on 84 ratings
Publisher: Hyperion
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Time Keeper on + 89 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
From the beginning of this book, I kept saying, "This is one strange book", but I trusted Mitch Albom to deliver and, of course, he did. When I was 80% finished, I thought, "OK, he really is going somewhere".

This is a book about the power time wields in our lives- not always for good. What an unusual way to go about telling the story! But that's Mitch--he always delivers a fantastic story, whether fiction or non. He is just a fabulous writer and the way he puts words together makes my heart soar!

Thanks again, Mitch!
njmom3 avatar reviewed The Time Keeper on + 1389 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-time-keeper.html

The Time Keeper is the fictionalized story of Father Time - who he was, how he came to be Father Time, and what he would change if he could. In the context of the story, of course, is the lesson for all of us. A lesson that can be summarized in the following quote from the book: "You marked the minutes .... But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?"

Essentially, the story goes that in a time long long ago, no one measured time. Then, one man figured out how and became obsessed with his measurements. The consequence of his obsession turned him into Father Time. However, now he has a chance to redeem himself if he can teach two individuals the lesson he learned too late.

The two individuals come from opposite ends of the spectrum - one feeling like he has no time and needs more and the other feeling like even one more moment of life is too much. They both take steps - drastic steps - to remedy their problem of too little or too much time. Do they learn in time? That is the crux of the book.

The lesson of the book is a useful one, but unfortunately the story seems so contrived and the lesson is too obvious. I could see where the story was going and was not at all surprised when it got there. The characters (Father Time, the old man, the young woman) are not compelling enough to draw me into the story.

So, while I love some of Mitch Albom's other books, I am disappointed by this one.
shari325 avatar reviewed The Time Keeper on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It's `a Mitch Albom book so, you know to remember this will be as smooth as good wine. It will be so simple running in the depths of deep waters where the soul will remain still and your mind will absorb the words. This is a quick read which speaks to the beginning of time and ends yesterday. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
oldrockandroll avatar reviewed The Time Keeper on + 305 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another thought-provoking book by Mitch Albom. It truly makes you realize how precious time can be and how wisely you should use it. I sat and read it one sitting.
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reviewed The Time Keeper on
If Father Time had a story to tell, this would be Mitch Albom's version of that story. Time is precious, and humanity has tainted God's precious gift of time. In this novel, it is said that God didn't intend for time to be measured by clocks or any other way - that life was designed to be enjoyed without worrying about time. However, Father Time is curious about how to measure time from sunset to sundown, and eventually is punished by God for tainting God's purpose for time. This is a fantasy fable used to remind the reader that time needs to cherished and used for those most precious in our lives. I have never read an Mitch Albom novel before - and I have heard his stories are wonderful - but this wasn't my kind of story. I stayed with the book because I really wanted to know the end of the story, but I didn't enjoy this one. I struggled with the idea that God would punish Father Time as I didn't see a reason for Father Time to be punished. I do enjoy fantasy fiction, but I had a hard time connecting with the fantasy in this book. Possibly because God was connected with the fantasy, and my mind had difficulty placing God in this kind of story (that's just me). I will definitely read another Mitch Albom novel in the future, but this one was not my favorite. It just wasn't for me. Many probably would enjoy it if they don't mind integrating God with fantasy fiction.
mom2nine avatar reviewed The Time Keeper on + 343 more book reviews
I give this a 2 1/2 for just okay. Book reminds me of the emails that people forward, with messages that are so meaningful that they must pass them on, but the sender forgets it upon hitting "send". Characters are cliché, or am I the only one tired of depressed, fragile, but smart teen girls? Treasure each day; summed up the book now you can enjoy your family and skip the time spent reading this book.
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed The Time Keeper on + 1062 more book reviews
Of all Mitch Albom's books, this was my least favorite. It was a good story in the end, but a little too "out there" for me. It begins before time was invented with 3 childhood friends, one of whom grows to be the king building the tower of Babel. Intertwined in present day are an unhappy teenage girl and a rich old man dying of cancer. It does make you think and contemplate your views on time and your own life. It is worth the read, just doesn't quite live up to his previous books in my opinion.


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