The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harper, Reissue Edition (November 12, 2013)

Review by Mae Clair

Once again, Mitch Albom delivers a story overflowing with creativity and originality. I can always count on Albom to keep me entertained and guessing while challenging the way I think. In this case, several people from the tiny town of Coldwater, Michigan begin receiving phone calls from deceased relatives who say they’re calling from Heaven. The story follows a handful of these “chosen ones” (as they’re later dubbed), along with one person who doesn’t believe Heaven exists.

Sullivan “Sully” Harding is an ex-Navy pilot raising his young son alone after the death of his wife, and a short stint in prison. Sully’s backstory gradually unfolds in bits and pieces as the plot progresses, keeping the reader scampering through the pages for more.

Meanwhile, low-on-the-rung TV reporter, Amy Penn is sent by her boss to see what all the fuss in Coldwater is about. Amy considers the story a waste of time until her report gains new life on the Internet and suddenly, she’s looking at a potential career maker. With Coldwater thrust into the spotlight, ABC and other networks come sniffing in her wake but Amy already has her foot securely in the door. She’s gained the trust of Katherine, the woman who received the first phone call. The mayor sees a money maker for Coldwater, especially when “pilgrims” begin arriving,

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The Dial-Tek outlet in Coldwater, Michigan, had placed an insane order for a single model phone, the Samsung 5GH. It was not a particularly special unit. It flipped open, made calls, and, with the right plan, could connect to the Internet. But that was it. Phones today did so much more–took video, ran games. Why would one store be selling thousands of an older, lesser model?

The answer, Terry had just been informed, was that the Samsung 5GH was the phone being used by a woman claiming to speak to heaven.

The First Phone Call from Heaven, Mitch Albom

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Like most of Albom’s work, this is a thoughtful story. Why do some people receive calls and others don’t? Should the local pastor embrace the idea (as most encourage him to do), or should he challenge the validity of the claims? Is someone behind an elaborate hoax, or can the dead really talk to the living through an older style Samsung phone?

I honestly didn’t know what to expect as I delved deeper into the book. Sully is set on disapproving the calls and begins investigating on the sly. He’s frustrated his son has taken to carrying around a toy phone, desperate for a call from his dead mother.

Sully is the perfect person to drive the bulk of the story. He’s bitter, going through the daily grunge of living as he tries to piece his life back together for the sake of his son. But Albom packs his book with a full roster of characters (even Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone get page time). Each has a unique history that threads into the plot, and the hoopla that follows, when Coldwater becomes the focus of the world.

The ending came as a surprise but left me with a smile of satisfaction as I stopped to appreciate how cleverly Albom wove his “reveal” into a broader, more intense moment.

So… should you read this book?

Oh, yes! It’s an artful mystery packed with intriguing characters, relationship drama, and a dollop of social commentary. Most of all, it’s a beautiful, inspirational tale that lingers long after the book is read.

I give The First Phone Call from Heaven five enthusiastic fish!

I purchased the Kindle version of The First Phone Call from Heaven