The Stranger in the Lifeboat (by Mitch Albom)
I have been a fan of Mitch Albom since his first book, Tuesdays with Morrie, which was published in 1997. That’s an impressive writing career, in my opinion. I like how his stories are thought provoking, emotional, and have a powerful message.
The Stranger in the Lifeboat tells the story of 10 people in a raft awaiting rescue following a ship explosion. Shortly after the survivors convene into the lifeboat, they find another man floating in the ocean. The survivors pull him into the lifeboat, relieved they found him. As the book description states, the survivors exclaim to the man, “Thank the Lord we found you” and the man replies, “I am the Lord.”
The story unfolds through the protagonist, Benjamin, a survivor who keeps a journal of what happens to each of his fellow passengers. More information about the ship explosion is learned from the news reporters. A third, and quite fascinating perspective, is told from a police officer on the island where the lifeboat washes up.
The story is intriguing and suspenseful. I really enjoyed how the characters pulled at my heart strings. I appreciate the message Mitch leaves the reader with at the conclusion. As expected from the book description, there is a significant God presence in the book as the survivors in the lifeboat debate their beliefs in God. I’m not a religious person as I prefer Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and my belief system did not hinder my ability to become fully engrossed in the story.
I purchased a signed first edition of The Stranger in the Lifeboat from Barnes and Noble. Mitch Albom narrates the audiobook, if you’re interested in listening to the book instead of reading a physical copy or ebook.
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