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983 reviews for:
Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
Todd Burpo
3.66 AVERAGE
983 reviews for:
Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
Todd Burpo
3.66 AVERAGE
Just plain uplifting - felt like a long drink of water when you're completely drained.
You obviously need to be sympathetic to the idea of heaven to pick up this book in the first place and it is heavily Christianized. You're not going to convert anyone by this story or convince anyone that heaven is real. But it's such a short read, it was real for this family, and the story is warming my heart reading it.
(Though by the end of the book I was super skeptical about all the religious undertones and the biblical references, it could have been a nice story but I felt in the end it was preachy mc preach a lot).
[b:The Five People You Meet in Heaven|3431|The Five People You Meet in Heaven|Mitch Albom|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348889243s/3431.jpg|2561472] is WAY better and told in a much more compelling way.
(Though by the end of the book I was super skeptical about all the religious undertones and the biblical references, it could have been a nice story but I felt in the end it was preachy mc preach a lot).
[b:The Five People You Meet in Heaven|3431|The Five People You Meet in Heaven|Mitch Albom|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348889243s/3431.jpg|2561472] is WAY better and told in a much more compelling way.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
This was a very easy read about Colton's experiences of heaven after a near death experience as a 4 year old. Colton's memories come to him over several years making it difficult to see the bigger picture of his experience until the end of the book. I read it as a skeptic and still have difficulty believing that a 4 year old could experience so much in a 3 minute time span. Children say many things that may not make sense and are open to interpretation by adults. Colton's father was a pastor which provided a religiously biased lens through which Colton's memories were interpreted. While this book was interesting, I find it hard to believe...but thats the whole principle of religion, having faith.
I must say that I was pretty disappointed with this book. I am normally not a big fan of "so called" Christian books because often times what the author claims to be factual is not biblically base even if it is backed up with bibical quotes and/or paraphrases. This happens to be the case with this "memoir". First, I am highly skeptical that the story comes from the four year old at all!!!! It seems like the the father is telling the story and just "claiming" the four year old is telling it. As a mother, I am around children all the time and I know that they have very active imaginations. Even if this actually occured, why try to profit off your child's story!!!! So that there is no misunderstandings, I am a Christian, I DO believe in Christ, and I Do believe in heaven...... I just do not BELIEVE this story.
1. The father keeps repeating over and over how young Colton could not have possibly known certain things because they were not taught in Sunday School. Problem: Isn't Colton a preacher's kid? Dosen't he sit in morning worship, afternoon program, bible study, and hear parents talking at home? I think dad does not give Colton enough credit for being a smart child.
2. Why did the parents not take Colton to the hospital immediately? Was the conference more important than their son's health? I know doctors do not have all the answers, but the time period (5 days) bothered me. As a parent, a sick child is the most heart-wrenching thing to watch. And why would you take him back to the same doctor that misdiagnosed him in the beginning?
These were two things that really stuck out to me as I was reading. There were more, but I could go on and on. I feel the author played on the ignorance of the reader and is trying to make money. I did not find this story inspirational and I would not recommend it to others. In fact I would tell them to be aware.
1. The father keeps repeating over and over how young Colton could not have possibly known certain things because they were not taught in Sunday School. Problem: Isn't Colton a preacher's kid? Dosen't he sit in morning worship, afternoon program, bible study, and hear parents talking at home? I think dad does not give Colton enough credit for being a smart child.
2. Why did the parents not take Colton to the hospital immediately? Was the conference more important than their son's health? I know doctors do not have all the answers, but the time period (5 days) bothered me. As a parent, a sick child is the most heart-wrenching thing to watch. And why would you take him back to the same doctor that misdiagnosed him in the beginning?
These were two things that really stuck out to me as I was reading. There were more, but I could go on and on. I feel the author played on the ignorance of the reader and is trying to make money. I did not find this story inspirational and I would not recommend it to others. In fact I would tell them to be aware.
It's not the greatest piece of literature out there, but the story is simply amazing. A must read for anyone willing to believe in Jesus Christ.
This book is so powerful. There were parts of this book that brought me to tears. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I had heard of this book online and via talk shows, and I had the passing thought that I might enjoy it. When I joined my church's book club in February, it was the book chosen to discuss, so I had just a day to read it before we discussed it. I didn't finish the entire book before we talked about it, but I did later that night, and it opened my eyes to the complexity of the author's claims and his interpretation of his son's experiences.
I read this book in 3 and a half hours. It was one of those books where I didn't think I'd actually like reading it. I was delightfully surprised to start reading the book and actually enjoy it. It really changes your perspective on the views of your faith. I loved it.