| For One More Day | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Mitch Albom |
| Cover artist | Brianna SErrano |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Philosophical novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion (publisher) |
| Publication date | 26 September 2006 |
| Media type | Print hardcover and paperback |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | ISBN 1401303277 |
| OCLC Number | 70043491 |
| Dewey Decimal | 813/.6 22 |
| LC Classification | PS3601.L335 F596 2006 |
For One More Day is a 2006 philosophical novel by Mitch Albom. Like his previous works (Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven), it features mortality as a central theme. The book tells the story of a troubled man and his mother, and explores how people might use the opportunity to spend a day with a lost relative.
Contents |
The book's theme is mortality:[1] it analyzes how people might react to the chance to have a dead relative back for a day.[2]
The book tells the story of Charley “Chick” Benetto, a former baseball player who encounters myriad problems with his career, finances, family and alcohol abuse. This leads him to become suicidal. Charley goes on a drunken rampage and decides he is going to end his life in his old home town, but when he misses the exit, he turns around driving down the wrong side of the highway causing an accident, Charley flees to his old home – his suicide attempt an apparent failure – to see his mother, who had died eight years prior.
Benetto returns to his old family home, and spends one more day with his mother, wherein a number of previously unknown factors related to his difficult childhood and troubled relationship with his father are revealed to him. His mother assists him in resolving his issues and getting his life back on track. The day ends when Benetto regains consciousness at the scene of the accident in a police officer's arms.
The book's epilogue describes how Benetto was inspired by his experience to quit drinking and reconcile with family, including his daughter, Maria, before his death five years later. At the end, Maria is revealed to have been the narrator of the story.
The book received polarised reviews from critics. Some praised the book heavily, remarking that it was "hugely effective"[3] and "exceptional".[4] Other commentators criticised the book as "syrupy"[5][6] and "lazy, sloppy literature".[7] Nevertheless, the book sold well, making it to the top of The New York Times Best Seller list.[8]
The book was adapted into a made-for-television movie. Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More Day starred Michael Imperioli and Ellen Burstyn, and was aired by ABC on December 9, 2007.
The film was poorly received, being described as "ludicrous"[9] and "phony sincerity"[10] by critics.