What would happen if you cried out to God for help and someone claiiming to be God actually appeared before us? In Mitch Albom's profound new novel, a group of shipwrecked passengers must face that challenge when a strange man they pull from the water says he can save them all. But only if they believe in him.

Interesting read. ( )

Bought on a whim in a Berlin bookstore (What made me buy this? Screaming sales talk? Since when do biblical fairytales become bestsellers?). Such a mistake.

A yacht with a bunch of extremely rich people explodes in the Atlantic ocean, 100 miles west of Cape Verde. Ten people find themselves in a lifeboat, only one survives (SAVED BY GOD!). Christian fairy tale that lacks any depth or layered plot.

This evangelist uses crafty gimmick to keep this thin story interesting: he applies alternating story lines. One story line is a simple progressive narrative of a person (Benji) who kept a diary while the drama in the lifeboat unfolded. Another story line progresses in time on Montserrat (Caribbean island) and features a Policeman (LeFleur – he drinks and smokes! He neglects his wife. He HAS LOST THE FAITH) who lost his daughter four years ago (accidentally drowned in the sea). LeFleur is called by a stranger to a deserted beach on the island where the remains of the lifeboat have been pushed ashore. LeFleur discovers the diary of Benji. The stranger has a biblical name (Rom something – meaning ‘lifted by God’- referring to the all too predictable moment when Benji saw THE LIGHT and was SAVED BY GOD). Finally a third story line in italics concerns transcripts from news reports in the media related to the sinking of the yacht, allowing Mitch to tell us more about the famous people whose lives presumably have been lost, while we are with them in Benji’s story. So ok. Two stars because the man can write.

But this story is soooooo boring, one-dimensional and predictable. Already on page one a man climbs aboard the lifeboat (after three days at sea) who claims to be the Lord (later it turns out he is an Angel: a little girl that hasn’t spoken is God and brought this Angel to interact with the fellow travelers). The story has all the elements of a confessional and evangelical saviour story. One after the other dies. Several miracles are performed by the Angel who gets killed by the rich bad man. Benji has to repent for his sins after becoming the only one left with the Alice God girl. Benji then sees THE LIGHT and is SAVED BY GOD. Benji becomes a MISSIONARY SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS by impersonating as Rom and bringing leFleur back to the fold of believing sheep with a superior wisdom. Rom also sends personal items of the drowned to their beloved (another string of miracles!). The yacht did not sink because of the detonation of a mine, but it was attacked by violent super whales (The DEVIL?).

What this story lacks is doubt, insight and a deeper understanding of the messiness of life. Its contradictions and uncertainties. It leaves no lasting impression on the reader. It is the same old Evangelical propaganda story with the familiar elements and smugness about those saved and drowned. It makes me puke. It leaves me feeling cheated. This kind of book should be clearly labelled for what it is – Christian propaganda. It should not be allowed to run astray in the novels section of a big bookstore… ( )

I enjoy a Mitch Albom book. This one was no exception. I wouldn't say it's my favorite and it is more predictable than his others but there is always a sweetness and gentleness to his books. The journey you go on would seem forced in a lesser author but Mitch doesn't weigh it down. Quick nice read. ( )

Another phenomenal story by Mitch Albom. 'Stranger in the lifeboat' is a story of hope and finding God in the most unlikely of places. ( )