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  • The First Phone Call From Heaven

  • By: Mitch Albom
  • Narrated by: Mitch Albom
  • Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (135 ratings)
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The First Phone Call From Heaven cover art

The First Phone Call From Heaven

By: Mitch Albom
Narrated by: Mitch Albom
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Summary

The gift of heaven on earth. It will become the biggest story in the world...

When the residents of a small town on Lake Michigan start receiving phone calls from the afterlife, they all become the subject of widespread attention. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out.

This is a story about the power of belief - and a page-turner that will touch your soul. The internationally bestselling and inspirational author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, returns with his most moving, surprising and compelling novel yet. The perfect introduction, or re-introduction, to the masterful storytelling of one of the best-loved writers of our time.

©2013 ASOP, Inc. (P)2013 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about The First Phone Call From Heaven

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

Not what you would expect.....

Another great story from Mitch Albom. Not quite as good as the Time Keeper, but he has a way of writing which is unique to him. There is a distinct meloncoly to the writing and by reading this himself he is able to bring the exact atmospher he wants to the book. This is a great story, sifting through the consequences of what would happen if a phone call from heaven were to happen. The realities and unrealities of people behaviour in such a circumstance and he takes the characters through as many events as he can encompassing emotions taken on by their actions and the consequences. There is a twist in the story bringing everything to what you might think is finality, but of course the reader has to make the final decision. Nicely read, he keeps the whole story flowing to its finale. Worth your money.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Will it work out in the end?

This was a really interesting concept, and as such, keeps you intrigued right until the end.

The small town Americana is reminiscent of Richard Russo's writing without the bittersweet comedy. Various inhabitants have been receiving phone calls from "heaven". The chief of police is most reluctant to believe the growing hype, until his dead son gets in touch.

There were quite a lot of characters introduced which made it tricky at times to keep up; but the use of Alexander Graham Bell's timeline of inventing the phone at the start of each chapter was genius, and gave you a wee chance to stop and take stock of who was who!

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2 people 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

Great book

I loved this story. Liked how the mystery slowly unfolded. I was gripped till the end. A good reader too

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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

Loved it

Another great Mitch albom book. This guy has a way with words and a distinctive writing style I love. Looking forward to the next

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1 person found this helpful

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

Oh dear, just because technology is there ....

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

No extra sound effects. Just because the technology is there, it doesn't mean it needs to be used. I stopped listening because of them and I hope Audible in future will slap a sound effects warning. I will know to avoid them I seldom purchase dramas for the same reason - background music.

What could Mitch Albom have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Ensured no corny sound effects. I fear as an author he's off my list, even though I did so enjoy The Time Keeper.

Any additional comments?

The sound effects are unnecessary in a straight audio reading.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Just awful as far as I was concerned.

Would you try another book written by Mitch Albom or narrated by Mitch Albom?

No

Has The First Phone Call From Heaven put you off other books in this genre?

Wish I had not gone there in the first place

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice was fine it was the content that was so ridiculous.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I did not finish it as I did not find it in any way engaging.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Beautiful

A beautiful story, beautifully narrated. The last hour was compelling. One to make you think long after it's finished. Loved it!

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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

kept me involved from start to end.

This story is totally involving and a good mixture of what you might expect from Mitch Albom after "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and a good whodunnit. Several times I thought I had sussed the ending and a couple of times I was wrong! Heart warming and thought provoking without being "off with the fairies"
Mitch Albom is very easy to listen to, unlike some authors who insist on reading their own work.
Really well worth listening to. I wish I had kept it for my long haul flight next month - I might even listen to it again.

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1 person found this helpful

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

It was good

The world moves in mysterious ways. This story proves that. Not my favourite Albom book, but definitely worth a read.

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

This is a book I will remember and recommend

So glad I read this, it has made me think. So sorry it didn’t become a film. I rarely re-read books, but this one may well be a future re-read

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