The Stranger in the Lifeboat: A Novel

#1 New York Times Bestseller

What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom's profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be "the Lord." And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.

Adrift in a raft after a deadly ship explosion, ten people struggle for survival at sea. Three days pass. Short on water, food and hope, they spot a man floating in the waves. They pull him in.

"Thank the Lord we found you," a passenger says.

"I am the Lord," the man whispers.

So begins Mitch Albom's most beguiling novel yet.

Albom has written of heaven in the celebrated number one bestsellers The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The First Phone Call from Heaven. Now, for the first time in his fiction, he ponders what we would do if, after crying out for divine help, God actually appeared before us?

In The Stranger in the Lifeboat, Albom keeps us guessing until the end: Is this strange man really who he claims to be? What actually happened to cause the explosion? Are the survivors in heaven, or are they in hell? The story is narrated by Benji, one of the passengers, who recounts the events in a notebook that is discovered--a year later--when the empty life raft washes up on the island of Montserrat. It falls to the island's chief inspector, Jarty LeFleur, a man battling his own demons, to solve the mystery of what really happened.

A fast-paced, compelling novel that makes you ponder your deepest beliefs, The Stranger in the Lifeboat suggests that answers to our prayers may be found where we least expect them.

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288 pages

Average rating: 7.94

104 RATINGS

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Kylie Morris

Jul 20, 2023

8/10 stars

This book was so cute. The beginning feels hopeless and sad, but a few plot twists take place that change the vibes of everything. The ending made me tear up. The book is about hope, faith, and forgiveness.

Islandgirl649

Apr 19, 2023

10/10 stars

I just got done this book by Mitch albom his literary skills have once again captivated me and my imagination. This book tackles faith so well it makes you think about life differently.

Imari

Dec 15, 2022

8/10 stars

Went into this book with wavering faith and came out with a different perspective on life and God. Mitch Albom books never disappoints in giving you answers that you’re either searching for or need in a captivating storytelling way. I recommend any of his books for hard times

Caroline2585

Sep 05, 2022

10/10 stars

Do you believe in the existence of God and how often do you question his very existence? What can I say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was gripped onto it from the very beginning. Though, when I start off, I found the book to be quite funny and was laughing, but as I progressed further into the chapters, it turned into this emotional rollercoaster, which got me pounding over a lot of things. As for the plot, An Yacht named Galaxy owned by Jason Lambert has sunk. 10 stranger trying to survive are adrift on a raft, short on food, water and hope. When they spot a man floating in the water and pull him on board. This man claims he can save them but how? And who is he? Should they trust him? And how did the Yacht really sink? (Ok, I know I sound like the jacket of the book) but trust me, the more blind you go into this book, the more you are going to enjoy it. The book is not a mystery or thriller, but it kept me guessing till the very end. I also liked the way the author has classified the book into Sea, Land and News, where most of the story is told to us by Benji, one of the survivors on the raft. Apart from this, the book also focuses on hope, faith, love, death and spirituality which I guess is very much a part of every Mitch Albom books. The book also got me reflecting on minor things like the mere existence of fresh drinking water, which, when we have in abundance we tend to waste but when in shortage, a mere thought can get us craving or for that matter, the thought of death, which we try are best not to acknowledge and always brush aside. Overall this book was an easy and quick one to read. If you are in a mood for some thought provoking and some soul searching or even if you are not and just looking for your next read, I highly recommend this one because like me you too will enjoy reading it.

Shebejo

Jun 28, 2022

10/10 stars

I love Mitch Albom! He is a wonderful story-teller. I am currently reading through is series of novels. This one doesn't disappoint.