“Morrie’s approach was exactly the opposite. Turn on the faucet. Wash yourself with the emotion. It won’t hurt you. It will only help. If you let the fear inside, if you pull it on like a familiar shirt, then you can say to yourself, ‘All right, it’s just fear. I don’t have to let it control me.‘”
Last month, we planned a family trip to North India, covering Shimla, Manali, and Delhi. The vacation stood out, primarily because it was the first time we traveled without my brother and granny. The other reason, however, was the book I took along for reading while traveling. Tuesdays With Morrie.
I got my hands on this book at a local book sale; the simplistic cover and a faint recognition tugging at my memory were what made me buy it.
(A point to note to self- go with your instinct :) )
I started reading the book the moment we got comfortable in the lounge at Mumbai Airport, and I was a goner for the next few hours. It also helped that our flight was early morning, so I had the entire night to devour the book. Unfortunately, sleep was a necessity as we had to tour the following day, so I reluctantly had to put down the book. Over the next 10 days, however, I took Tuesdays with Morrie everywhere in my little rucksack. I read it traveling in the metro, in the volvo buses, in the cars, in the queues; anywhere I could find the time to. And, I was remarkably surprised at how it shaped my vacation. My perspectives with the people we came across, the experiences we shared, and the tch-tch moments we had, all had a Tuesdays With Morrie shaped edge along.
But that's for another blog, right? For this one, let's jump into my thoughts about the book!
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Genre: Memoir
Publication Date: August 18, 1997
Publisher: Doubleday
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.
Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying of ALS - or motor neurone disease - MItch visited Morrie in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final 'class': lessons in how to live.
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.
My Review
Writing Style: I believe one of the sweet spots of this book is the writing style. It's simple, it's straightforward, and yet every other line feels like the one that should be annotated. The book beautifully captures the essence of Morrie's personality- his wisdom, humor, and not to forget, the heartfelt conversations between the author, Mitch, and Morrie. What I especially found myself liking, is how the dialogues of Mitch weren't put into quotation marks. This made me feel a part of the conversation, and all of my concentration was on hearing what Morrie had to say. No fancy fluff, just pure, honest storytelling that pulls you in.
Plot: The plot is simple: Mitch and Morrie meet every Tuesday. As mentioned before, the structure is quite straightforward, it's the conversations that captivate the reader. Each chapter focuses on a different life lesson, making it both educational and emotionally engaging. The chapters also slip in between the past and the present and made me understand where they both come from, in their actions and view of life. By the end of the book, we get a complete understanding of the characters, which are so deeply rooted in the story- I found myself tearing up several times. Suffice it to say, my heart was a mush until the end.
Characters:
Morrie Schwartz is the heart and soul of the book, a character full of wisdom, warmth, and wit. Mitch Albom portrays himself with honesty, showing his growth through Morrie's teachings. The dynamic between the two is genuinely heartwarming. It's like watching a beautiful friendship unfold.
Themes:
Tuesdays With Morrie explores themes such as the meaning of life, the inevitability of death, and the importance of love and human connections; life, death, and everything in between. Morrie's insights made me think about my own life and priorities, as I roamed the streets of Delhi, and felt the breeze of Manali play with my hair. The theme of living with purpose and the acceptance of death particularly touched me, as I went through a similar experience in late 2023, and somewhere in my mind, I feel this book gave closure to the grief I was carrying within.
“We are so afraid of the sight of death . . . As soon as someone dies in a hospital, they pull the sheets up over their head, and they wheel the body to some chute and push it down. . . . It’s not contagious, you know. Death is as natural as life. It’s part of the deal we made.”
Setting:
The setting is primarily Morrie’s home, which gives it a cozy, personal vibe. The simplicity of the setting allowed me to focus on the profound messages being discussed, and the lessons being shared. As I was far away from my home, this backdrop, for a few hours, nonetheless, made me feel at home. It also emphasizes one of the points Morrie makes- the importance of the human experience over material surroundings.
Personal Impressions:
Tuesdays with Morrie has left a lasting impact on me. Morrie’s wisdom is timeless and hits hard, making the book not just a memoir but a guide to living a meaningful life. It's a feel-good yet tear-jerking read that sticks with you. Also, it will now always remind me of the beautiful moments I shared on my trip, and the times the book made me look differently at the world around me.
Conclusion
Tuesdays with Morrie is a must-read for anyone seeking wisdom and inspiration. It’s a beautifully written memoir that offers deep insights on how to live a fulfilling life. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, especially those interested in personal growth and life’s big questions.
Favorite Quotes
Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.
Love wins, love always wins
Dying is only one thing to be sad over. Living unhappily is something else
If you’ve found meaning in your life, you don’t want to go back. You want to go forward.
Do the kind of things that come from the heart, when you do, you won't be dissatisfied, you won't be envious, you won't be longing for somebody else’s things. On the contrary, you’ll be overwhelmed with what comes back.
No, you don’t understand. You’re not a wave, you’re part of the ocean
Call to Action
Have you read Tuesdays with Morrie? What did you think of Morrie’s life lessons? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! And if you have any book suggestions, let me know—I'd love to check them out!
yours inkingly,
manasi
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