The Consequences of Counting Moments: The Time Keeper

Imagine a world without the concept of time. 

There will be no such thing as promptness or haste. Every movement won’t be defined and limited by digits. Rather, we simply enjoy moments.

But when our bodies get up as if summoned by the rising sun and retire upon the appearance of the moon’s shy crescent smile – isn’t it a foremost indicator of a similar process? 

Only we do not yet know its name?

Hence, do you think the invention – or rather, the awareness – of the concept of time is inevitable? That it takes just one exceptional man, a man who wants to know, to change how we experience the world?

A Man Who Wants To Know

The Time Keeper is one of the many inspirational fiction books by the American author Mitch Albom. It is a fable about a man who came to be Father Time. 

Dor lived around 6000 years ago when life was simpler. He was different, curious, and invented the world’s first clock to measure moments. This led to trouble with the heavens, and Dor was banished into a cave where he was forced to listen to people’s sufferings brought about by time. 

Eventually, he was given a chance to redeem himself with a mission on Earth. He must save two people – a teenage girl about to give up on life and a dying man wishing to extend his life through complicated means.

A Thought-Provoking Read

I have only read one Mitch Albom book besides this. It was another bestseller, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and I remembered it being a simple, inspiring read. The Time Keeper is a little bit similar.

It was a very light read, the message is uncomplicated, and you could almost deduce a considerable part of the story from the book’s blurb. The only difference was the format since this book tends to switch between three characters’ points of view in short intervals. The characters are almost stereotypical, but I thought it was forgivable since fables focus more on moral lessons and concepts after all. 

Certainly, all of us have experienced wishing for less time like the teenager Sarah, or more time like the billionaire Victor, or for time to ultimately stop, like Dor. Yet, I had trouble relating to the characters and their desires. For instance, I mainly wanted to know more about Dor’s life, what sparked his curiosities, and why he wanted to measure time in the first place.

There are many philosophical concepts introduced, but the author does not delve too deep into them. Perhaps, he trusts the readers to make their conclusions, which I honestly think should be the purpose of most books – to be at once entertaining and thought-provoking.

Mitch Albom is several people’s favorite author, and The Time Keeper is many people’s favorite book, as I have researched. So when I received this book as a gift, I thought I should review it.

Would I try to get hold of his more recent novels? Probably yes, for a refreshing and worthwhile read in between heavier historical or war stories I usually get. But I can’t say I am a fan of writing styles like Mitch Albom’s just yet. 

A Much Needed Reminder

Overall, I liked the message it wishes to tell its readers – that time is the most valuable resource, and we should use it wisely. But I wanted to feel more invested, more touched. Thus, I give this book a rating of three stars. 

Nonetheless, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys philosophical concepts told more lightly and understandably. I hope more people can relate to it. In these trying times, where fast is rewarded over quality when productivity is prioritized over health, this book deserves to be read.