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  • The Time Keeper

  • By: Mitch Albom
  • Narrated by: Dan Stevens
  • Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (194 ratings)
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The Time Keeper cover art

The Time Keeper

By: Mitch Albom
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
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Summary

In this stunning new novel, the inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure time. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more years for themselves. At last, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time.

He returns to our world - now dominated by the obsession with time he so innocently began - and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.

Gripping, simply told and filled with deep human truth, this unforgettable story will inspire readers everywhere to reconsider their own notions of time, how they spend it and how precious it truly is.

©2012 Mitch Albom (P)2012 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about The Time Keeper

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Rather irksome

A bit of a simple story with not very much to offer. It reads a bit like an extended parable that tells us to value the experiences of our one life rather than to count the minutes in it. As such, the first person to start counting minutes gets condemned to 6,000 years in a cave as stalactites form around him, listening to the voices of man's ever-increasing obsession with his discovery - Time. He is then released into a modern world where he is instructed to convey his disproportionately hard-learnt lesson to two self-indulgent, selfish and thoroughly unlikeable humans. Only then can he die.



This would not be so bad, but every so often the author refers to how it was God that actually gave us one life to live and that this man was condemned to his lengthy isolation because God must have been cross with him. However typical this sort of behaviour is by God, which I can accept, what irked me was the way the author seemed to completely fail to spot the irony of his words.



It is my opinion that the whole afterlife (or second life) thing that God offers those of belief, and the huge amount of time they waste in convincing God to let them have said second life, epitomises the wasting of the one real life that the boundless wonder of the universe has accidentally bestowed upon them!



In a nutshell, if you are trying to extol the value of living your life to the full and to savour the experiences its short span has to offer, one should take it from a humanist perspective and not a religious one that promises you a second life only if you waste the first one appeasing a jealous god that would put you in a cave for 6,000 years for doing what comes naturally - curiosity.



If you want my opinion, as someone who has read and understands the message of the book, spend the valuable 4hrs 41mins (16,860 seconds) this book lasts doing something else other than reading it.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a gem

This has to be one of the most unusual stories I have come across - it is a little gem. A story of Father Time and his fabulous challenge. I cant compare it to any other story because I can't think of another story quite like it. It has a class all if its own, in the writing, the reading and it's beautiful content. I was so sorry to come to the end of it, I wanted there to be more, but there couldn't be - time just would not allow. Dan Stevens does this story every bit of justice in his reading and Mitch Albom has written an absolute cracking story. An absolute must read/listen - enjoy.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very clever concept from a talented author

I find Mitch Ablom's books thought provoking and beautifully written, this book is no exception.

The Time Keeper blends myth with current day beautifully. The characterisation is delicate and interweaving of character's stories to enhance the overall piece is something Mitch Ablom is an absolute master at.

The story is about Old Father Time, how he got to become the keeper of time and what the discovery of time and time keeping has meant to how we live our lives and how we measure our lives according to the passage of time.

It beautifully examines how we, as humans feel we either never have enough or have too much it. The characters, although in strange circumstances, are believable and the reader cares about them. I loved it. It leaves you thinking about how you honour your own time, and what if you didn't measure self so much by the numbers..

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

I hardly ever listen to short stories because I listen a lot and get through epics too quickly, but this was lovely. So well written, really well read. I was sad it was over. Had to fetch my husband to listen to specific lines. Thought provoking. Soothing enough to relax wit. 10/10 X

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Meaningful and beautiful in every way

The author really thought about this story and brought the characters to life in such a profound way. It really makes one think about how we view time and live life. I found myself tearing up at the end, with happiness.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Heart warming and thought provoking

Beautifully crafted story, with some great characters and a strong underlying message. I enjoyed it. Thank you Mitch.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • jv
  • 19-02-19

A truly wonderful story.

Perfectly narrated by Dan, with a hint of Hugh Grant in his voice. This is the loveliest book I have ever read. simply written there us a message for everyone. I have never appreciated a book as much as I did this one. it will touch and change your life.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Worthy of your time

Beautifully read by Dan Stevens, a perfect tone for the narrative. Dan captures the characters voices too.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

interesting story line

lovely heart warming ending, a love story with a twist. enjoyed it from beginning to end

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting

I would not say it was an enjoyable book to listen to but it was thought provoking

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1 person found this helpful