Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper blends fantasy with a poignant reflection on humanity's obsession with time. Readers praise its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes, but some criticize its predictability and simplistic characters. Overall, the novel offers a touching, albeit straightforward, meditation on life's temporal nature.

Readers who enjoy introspective and philosophical narratives exploring the concept of time will appreciate Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper. Fans of Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist and Albom's own The Five People You Meet in Heaven will find its thought-provoking and spiritually uplifting themes compelling.

In The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom, Dor, the inventor of the world's first clock, is punished by the gods for attempting to measure time and is banished to a cave where he becomes the ageless Father Time. To earn his freedom, he must teach two modern-day individuals—the despairing teenager Sarah Lemon and the terminally ill businessman Victor Delamonte—the true meaning of time, using a magical hourglass and his own experiences. The novel includes depictions of suicide, suicidal ideation, and sexual assault.

Mitch Albom

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Time Keeper and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Time Keeper Summary

Background

The Time Keeper Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Beginning”

Prologue-Part 1

The Time Keeper Prologue-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Cave”

Part 2 The Time Keeper Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The In-Between”

Part 3 The Time Keeper Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Falling” - Part 5: “Earth”

Parts 4-5

The Time Keeper Parts 4-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “City”

Part 6 The Time Keeper Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Letting Go” - Part 8: “New Year’s Eve”

Parts 7-8

The Time Keeper Parts 7-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 9: “Stillness” - Part 10: “Future”

Parts 9-10

The Time Keeper Parts 9-10 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue

The Time Keeper Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Time Keeper Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Time Keeper Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Time Keeper Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Time Keeper Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Time Keeper Essay Topics

The Time Keeper

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Time Keeper?

Reading Age

Book Details