I completed “The Stranger in the Lifeboat” by Mitch Albom at 11:00 p.m. yesterday and felt an immediate urge to create a TikTok video about it, describing it as a “beautiful read.” After getting some rest and reflecting on it, I made another TikTok this morning to discuss the aspects I didn’t quite connect with. This is the second book I’ve read by Mitch Albom, the first being “Tuesdays With Morrie” which moved me to tears. While “The Stranger in the Lifeboat” didn’t evoke the same emotional response, it did have moments that made me pause and contemplate. Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It’s worth noting that I typically head to bed around 8:30-9:00 p.m., so the fact that this book kept me reading beyond my usual bedtime is quite a feat! Haha.

Let’s delve into discussing this book because, despite thoroughly enjoying it, there were some aspects that didn’t quite resonate with me. Firstly, I was delighted to discover a large print edition at the library. After having my baby, I noticed that my eyes weren’t functioning as well as they used to, so the large print was a real bonus.

I absolutely adored the way the story unfolds through different perspectives. The division into Land, Sea, and News offers a first-person narrative from “Benjamin “Benji,” who writes letters in his notebook to Annabelle about the events on the lifeboat. The repetition of “I am the Lord” throughout Benji’s letters to Annabelle adds such an intriguing layer. Then there’s Jarty Lefleur, the inspector, guided on land to the remnants of the lifeboat that washed up on shore by Rosh. Finally, we have the News Reporter updating the world about the missing ship, the raft, and more. The multifaceted approach theoretically provides a comprehensive view, and although I felt that the book was rushed, I appreciate the various angles through which the story is portrayed.

Bear with me.

There were numerous instances in the book where I longed for a more pronounced presence of The Lord. The narrative frequently shifted just as I was beginning to delve into the Lord’s role as the stranger on the lifeboat, oscillating between events on land and at sea. This constant back and forth made it challenging for me to fully immerse myself in the story. While I grasped the underlying concept, I felt hopeful for a deeper exploration of it.

Despite the challenging scenes, there were instances when I became deeply engrossed in the story, as if I were watching a film and deeply connecting with the characters. I found myself contemplating, “If this is indeed a test from the divine, what could be the purpose behind these trials?” It was hard to witness people suffering and enduring such prolonged hardships. Surely, I thought, wouldn’t a benevolent force intervene and bring relief? Reflecting on my own adversities, I remember questioning why certain circumstances were allowed to unfold. In those trying times, it felt as though I was alone, yet in hindsight, I realized that I was not abandoned, even when I doubted.

..sometimes those stories, like the presence of the Lord, are hard to believe. Unless believing is what makes them true.”

― Mitch Albom

I found the ending a bit disappointing, to be honest. It was amazing to discover that Rosh was actually our good friend “Benji” because he survived, but I felt a bit underwhelmed. Despite that, the book was a beautiful read, and it left me with so many unanswered questions. Perhaps that’s the beauty of this piece – we just have to believe in what is happening.