Sunday Synopsis-The Time Keeper

 

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another of Mitch Albom's inspirational books. It does come across as a little formulaic and a little preachy, but it's exactly what I expect from this author. I liked this book, just not as much as Tuesdays with Morrie or The Five People you Meet in Heaven.

The man who became Father Time, before keeping time was a daily occurrence was credited with building the first clock. As punishment for counting and trying to outsmart God with the precious gift of time He has given us, Dor is sent to live an isolated life in a cave with all of his time-measuring instruments. He is forced to listen to the voices of those seeking more time.

He is eventually released, but he has to prove his worthiness. Hundreds, if not thousands, of years after building his first clock, he sees what his invention has done to the world. Some want more of it. Some want less. Some want to "kill" time. Others think time "flies." There are some who think "Time is money."

On Earth, Dor is introduced to two completely different humans as he works in a clock shop. One is a young girl who wants her time on Earth to end. The other is an elderly man who never wants to die. Somehow, to be free, Dor must show the girl and the man the error in their thinking about time, and in doing so, he will recognize his own shortcomings and begin to realize his own mistakes.

There is a fantasy element to the novel, but it works in this story. Unlike some books I've read recently, it has a true resolution and conclusion. The reason I liked it less than some of the other books I've read by Mitch Albom is the fact that the characters, especially Dor and the older gentlemen are not relatable. The girl is more relatable, but I don't really like her character although I do feel sorry for her. The plot moves along rather slowly through much of the book, but their is definitely an inspirational message woven into every aspect of the story.

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