Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson

This was SUCH a beautiful but emotional book. This one’s gonna stick with me for a very, very long time. Highly recommend!! Review to come sometime this week when I have gathered my thoughts x

If I had to pick just one book as my all-time favorite, Tuesdays with Morrie would definitely be at the top. Every time I read it again, I’m reminded of someone I’ve lost - most recently, my mom.

I love this book so much that I got both the English and Chinese versions. When I found out there’s now a Malay version, I had to add it to my collection too. Even though the story is the same, experiencing it in different languages gives it a whole new vibe - it's pretty amazing.

I can still remember those quirky “course requirements” mentioned at the start - no textbooks, classes held in the professor’s study, the subject being the meaning of life, no exams, and extra credit for a post-class hug or a kiss on the forehead.

What an unforgettable course that was! Imagine a wise old man spending his final 14 weeks sharing his secrets about life. There’s nothing more touching than watching someone face death so peacefully, lying in bed and calmly explaining how to live happily, embracing both life and death.

Albom’s writing flows so effortlessly that once I started reading, the rest of the world just faded away, leaving me deep in thought about time, space, life, and death. Those 14 weeks might seem long to some, but his words made me want to soak up every bit of wisdom - even though I secretly dreaded reaching the end. I almost thought about stopping halfway through, just to hold onto that feeling a bit longer. His humor always made me smile, and his words could easily bring me to tears. But that was exactly the point - he wanted us to fully feel every emotion. Once you’ve truly felt sadness, your tears have done their job.

The book dives into life’s biggest questions: death, fear, aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness, and what it really means to live a meaningful life. These are the questions many of us avoid - either because they’re too heavy or we’re just scared to face them. They’re the very questions that start haunting us as we get closer to life’s end.

This book speaks to everyone. It’s for young people who might feel empty after a hectic life, for those in midlife who need a reminder that it’s never too late to change, and for older folks, helping them cherish every moment and face the end with the same calm as Morrie.

Sure, 1 book might not cover every deep topic perfectly, but if it makes you stop and think, then it’s a keeper. I’m pretty sure that’s what Professor Morrie would have said too.

“Remember what I said about finding a meaningful life?”

Yeah. It’s all about giving your heart to others, investing in your community, and creating something that truly matters.

Those simple words hold the key to life’s mysteries. Life is both ordinary and extraordinary - just like Professor Morrie, who was fragile yet incredibly wise and powerful.

I just love this book so much.

P/S: And I miss you so much, Mom.

5 / 5 stars

5.0 ⭐

GENRE - NON FICTION

SPEECHLESS!!!!!!!!

What a great way to start 2022...

‎دوستانِ گرانقدر، این رمان در موردِ مردی به نامِ <میچ> میباشد که در زمانِ دانشجویی استادِ جامعه شناسی به نامِ <موری> داشته که دانشجویان او را بسیار دوست داشته اند... <موری> به بیماریِ بدونِ درمانِ "ای-ال-اس" مبتلا شده است... پس از ۱۶ سال <میچ> پس از دیدنِ <موری> در تلویزیون، تصمیم میگیرد به دیدنِ او رود... بیماری پیشرفت کرده و از پایین، بدنِ موری در حالِ فلج شدن و از کار افتادن میباشد... میچ تصمیم میگیرد تا این روزهایِ پایانی را با استادش بگذراند... بنابراین هر سه شنبه به دیدنِ موری رفته و با او به گفتگو مینشیند....و این کتاب به گفتگوهایِ این شاگرد و استاد در تعدادِ 14 سه شنبه، از زبانِ میچ پرداخته است
‎در زیر به انتخاب برخی از اندرزهایِ موری، خطاب به میچ را در زیر برایتان مینویسم
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‎اگر میخواهی برایِ اشخاص در رده هایِ بالا تظاهر به دارندگی کنی، بهتر است فراموش کنی. به هر صورت به تو به دیدگاهِ حقارت نگاه میکنند... برایِ اشخاصِ واقع در رده هایِ پایین هم تظاهر به بزرگی نکن. تنها به حالِ تو غبطه میخورند.. جاه و مقام، تو را به جایی نمیرساند، تنها با دلی با دریچه هایِ گشوده، همجریانِ بقیه میشوی
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‎اشکال بر سرِ این است که همه عجله دارند، مردم به معنایی در زندگیشان نرسیده اند، به همین دلیل پیوسته شتاب دارند که آن را بیابند. به فکرِ اتومبیل بعدی، خانهٔ بعدی و شغلِ بعدی هستند. بعد میبینید که اینها مقولاتی تهی و بی معنا هستند، از این رو به دویدن ادامه میدهند
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‎جسم به مثابه صدفی است برایِ حفظِ روح و روان.. وقتی مُرد، از بدنش جُز مُشتی پوست و استخوانِ بیفایده باقی نخواهد ماند، با این ذهنیت دل کندن از تن راحت تر میشود
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‎ما عادت نداریم لحظه‌ای بایستیم، پشتِ سرمان را نگاه کنیم، زندگی‌هایمان را ببینیم و به خودمان بگوییم، همه چیز همین است؟ همه‌ٔ چیزی که من میخواهم همین است؟ آیا این وسط چیزی گم نشده؟
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‎تا زمانی که بتوانیم یکدیگر را دوست بداریم و مهر و عشقی را که داشتیم بخاطر بیاوریم، میتوانیم بی آنکه واقعاً برویم، بمیریم.. عشقی که ایجاد میکنید، پایدار باقی میماند، خاطراتی را که می آفرینی باقی میماند.. زنده باقی میمانی- در دلِ همهٔ کسانی که رویِ آنها اثر گذاشته ای
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‎همه میدانند که روزی میمیرند، اما کسی این را باور نمیکند.. اگر باور میکردیم، رفتارمان را تغییر میدادیم
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‎پیر شدن صرفاً زوال و تحلیل رفتن نیست، رشد هم هست. چیزی بیشتر از نزدیک شدن به مرگ است.. همه اش جنبهٔ منفی نیست، جنبهٔ مثبت هم دارد.. میفهمی که باید بمیری و با این علم و اطلاع، بهتر زندگی میکنی
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‎امیدوارم این ریویو در جهتِ آشنایی با این کتاب، کافی و مفید بوده باشه
‎<پیروز باشید و ایرانی>

I'd heard raves about "Tuesdays with Morrie," so I was went into this with high hopes due to hype,and this book delivered and enchanted me. It is truly a book about teaching and teachable moments. A book for anyone that is looking for something that can help him or her through life when it gets hard. "Tuesdays with Morrie" starts off as a teacher who watches his student, Mitch Albom, go through college and then later in life Mitch experiences this same teacher (or Coach, Morrie) struggle with a life threatening disease.

After college Mitch Albom was wrapped up in material things and career concerns until he was reunited with his dying professor. Albom's time with Morrie Schwartz, before his death, is chronicled in this charming little book. The lessons might seem cliché or overdone in the hands of another writer; however, because Albom had such a close relationship with Morrie the professor's personality really comes through in the book. What might've been super sappy, and at sometimes it is a little bit, otherwise comes through with heartfelt meaning and the sincerity with which it was so lovingly passed on to Albom as he talked with his friend in his dying days. This book is not all heavy and filled with seriousness though, there's a great deal of humor in Morrie's attitude, lessons, and stories and I found myself laughing every now and then.

I rated this book a five out of five because I think it's a book that every person should read at some point in his or her life. Morrie helps you look at life from a different angle or with a different lens. Morrie makes you realize how good life really is, despite his condition, and how we should value our time on Earth. He speaks on death not being a bad thing, but a good thing especially if you have lived the life that you wanted to. When Morrie was dying he explained that everyone should do what they dream of doing, don't let life get in the way of things. Money, power, etc. All that stuff is a cultural blinder, and that we should make sure we get a chance to do all of the things that we want to before we die.

In addition to the great story, I was also impressed with the layout of the book. Albom intermingles old memories from his college days in Morrie's classes among the short chapters dealing with specific life lessons like aging, love, and death. This method of layout made for an engrossing, and very fast-moving read. I blew through the book in only a few hours and was completely satisfied with its well roundedness. There was laughter as well as tears, and I came away from the book feeling enriched. I had a couple friends say to me that they had to read this book in school, now after reading it I say, I wish I had this assigned to me, it was a great read. Funny that I finished this book on a Tuesday, Morrie would say, "we're Tuesday people."

"In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive, right? And at the end of life, when you get like me, you need others to survive right?... But here's the secret: in between, we need others as well." - Morris Schwartz

"Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but previous thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find a way back. Sometimes it is only in your head. Sometimes it is right alongside their beds." - Mitch Albom

4.5 stars

"You know, Mitch, now that I'm dying, I've become much more interesting to people."n

While he was an undergrad, Mitch absolutely loved Morrie Schwartz's college courses - he took every class that professor taught.

But, like most students, Mitch lost contact with everything and anything to do with his undergraduate years as soon as he graduated.

That is...until he learns that his favorite professor doesn't have long left.

n  ALS is like a lit candle: it melts your nerves and leaves your body a pile of wax.n

So, Mitch (on an impulse) decides to visit Morrie one last time...and that one last time turned into something else entirely.

The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was The Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience.n

Over the course of a couple of months, Mitch reconnects with Morrie and in the process, learns the last great lesson from his college professor.

n  "Everyone knows they're going to die," he said again, "but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently." n

Wow - what a book.

The slow progression of the disease, combined with Morrie's calm demeanor and Mitch's grief just absolutely cinched this book for me.

How can you argue with lines like this?

n  Do I wither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my time left?n

or this?

n  His philosophy was that death should not be embarrassing; he was not about to powder her nose.n

This book was so refreshing, and sweet and beautiful.

The author had such an amazing way with words. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings of peace that flowed through me.

This should be on everyone's list.

n  His voice dropped to a whisper. "I want someone to hear my story. Will you?"n

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This is wonderful book filled with life greatest lessons that I thought were all touching, especially because it is a true story about a old dying man. Even though this wasn't a pageturner, Morrie's quotes in this book refers to everyone's life, including mine, which is why i kept reading because i always could relate to his explanations about life. My friend Nata suggested this book to me, and even though I am only fourteen, I feel like I just appreciated life a bit more than ever before. Everyone in this world will die, and who knows what happens next, so I learnt that its now or never to do something good and make yourself happy.
I will always keep this quote in mind: "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live". One of the things I learnt about this quote is that people don't accept that one day we will be here and the next, gone. Once they do realize it though, its really to late because most of their life is already gone at old age.
I'm sorry that this review doesn't contain good grammar and writing, but I am writing from my heart about how much I have learnt from this book because it had really touched me.

This is one of those books where I find myself agreeing with the five star reviews and the one star reviews with almost equal enthusiasm.

On one hand, it's the sweet story of a man as he reconnects with a former mentor/professor, who is facing a death sentence via ALS. It's obvious that Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" provided them both with something substantially satisfying. And that's inspiring and poignant.

Yet on the other hand, Albom's attempts to enlighten us transforms it into a "Hallmark" card on steroids, a rather dramatic and prolonged one that does little more to demystify the true meaning of life than offer up tired and somewhat ambiguous cliches like "love conquers all." Though an honorable sentiment, it's not markedly more substantive or instructive than the alternative, "life sucks and then you die."

Let's face it. Death scares the *%(^ out of most of us...as it should, especially when you consider that no one really knows what it's like to be dead, if it's like anything at all. Add to that the fact that in the grand scope of things we're all insignificant blimps/statistically insignificant(tens of thousands of people die every day around the world and yet most of their deaths go relatively unnoticed) and the glaring reality that it takes markedly more than "love" to make it through life, and these comforting cliches suddenly lose some of their "comfort."

However, that doesn't mean life has to be or feel meaningless, it simply means it is up to each of us to find and give our lives meaning...whatever that may mean.

Tuesdays with Morrie definitely encourages the reader to stop and think about what is important, yet falls short of providing any new insight into how one actually figures it out for themselves and/or how we reach that balance between living as if there is a tomorrow while simultaneously realizing that, at least for some us, there won't be.

Alas...3 stars. A book worth reading, but not a life-changing or even an attitude-changing one.

I should add that this book might hold more appeal to someone who,like Morrie, is coming to immediate terms with his own mortality as they may find inspiration in his personal story.