For One More Day by Mitch Albom (Audiobook Review)

If you were granted one more day with a special loved one, how would you spend it?

Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven

Title: For One More Day
Author: Mitch Albom
Publisher: Hyperion Audio Books
Narrator: Mitch Albom
Duration: 3 hours, 35 minutes
Copyright: 2006
Genres: general fiction, inspirational
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Carrollton Public Library.

THE GIST: Charles Benetto was only twelve years old when his father abruptly left his family to fend for themselves. The ensuing years were difficult for Charles’ mother as she struggled to support her two children. Charles didn’t exactly make it easy on his mother either, sometimes blaming her for his father leaving. Years later, standing at his mother’s grave, he finally realized how much he loved her.

In the years following his mother’s death, Charles turns to the bottle for comfort, and his life begins a steady decline. He loses first his job, and then his own family, a wife and daughter. The years pass, until one day, seemingly out of the blue, he receives an envelope from his daughter. The envelope contains pictures from her wedding. Charles hadn’t even known she was engaged. It is at this moment, that Charles realizes he has failed.

The only path forward that Charles can see, the only path that makes any sense to him, is to take his own life. Returning to his old home town, Charles climbs the water tower, the same one he and his friends climbed in their youth, and leaps over the railing at the top. The next thing he knows, Charles is waking up on the ball field beneath the tower. Standing before him, is his long-dead mother.

MY THOUGHTS: “For One More Day” reminded me quite a lot of another Mitch Albom audio book, “The Five People You Meet In Heaven.” There’s a link below if you’d like to see my audio book review for that one.

Charles Benetto receives an amazing gift; one more day with his beloved mother. Charles and his mother visit a series of people during that day. With each visit, Charles learns of the sacrifices his mother made for him. More importantly, he learns that family is everything, and that it's never too late to start over.

NARRATOR: I’ve always said that I hate it when authors narrate their own audio books; they should stick to writing and leave the narrating to the professionals. Having said that, I have to admit that Mitch Albom did a pretty fair job with “For One More Day.” His pacing and intonation were good, and he even managed to put a little feeling into it. Not bad for a writer.

FINAL WORD: “For One More Day” was not entirely original, but still a pretty good audio book. It offers some good reminders for those of us who sometimes question the purpose of our lives.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom (Audiobook Review)
Tattoos On The Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle (Audiobook Review)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King (Audiobook Review)

If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom (Unabridged Audiobook) from Amazon.com.

This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from Audiobook Heaven.