Summary
Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir by Mitch Albom exploring universal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. In this poignant work, Albom recounts his rekindled relationship with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, during the final months of Schwartz's life. Albom's weekly visits with Schwartz, who was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), become a final “class” on how to live, delivered through the wisdom of a dying man.
Released in 1997, Tuesdays with Morrie spent an impressive 206 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and remains one of the bestselling memoirs of all time. In 1999, the memoir was adapted into a television movie starring Jack Lemmon as Morrie Schwartz and Hank Azaria as Mitch Albom.
Plot
Mitch Albom, a successful sports journalist, reconnects with his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz after seeing him on television. Morrie has been diagnosed with ALS, a debilitating and incurable disease, and is in the final months of his life. Mitch, feeling unfulfilled despite his career success, begins visiting Morrie every Tuesday, just as they did during Mitch's college years.
During these weekly visits, Morrie shares his insights on life, death, and what truly matters. He discusses topics such as family, emotions, aging, and forgiveness. Morrie's deteriorating physical condition contrasts sharply with his vibrant spirit and wisdom. As the visits progress, Mitch finds himself reevaluating his own life choices and priorities.
Morrie's condition worsens over time, but his determination to teach Mitch valuable life lessons remains strong. He encourages Mitch to focus on love, compassion, and meaningful relationships rather than material success. Through their conversations, Mitch begins to understand the importance of living fully and authentically.
In their final meetings, Morrie imparts his most profound teachings about accepting death as a natural part of life. He demonstrates how to face mortality with dignity and grace. Tuesdays with Morrie concludes with Morrie's passing, leaving Mitch with a transformed perspective on life and a deep appreciation for his mentor's final gift of wisdom.
Themes
Acceptance of death and dying
Value of human connection and relationships
Importance of finding meaning in life
Critique of materialism and cultural values
Power of mentorship and lifelong learning
Embracing love and forgiveness
Living fully in the present moment
Setting
Tuesdays with Morrie is primarily set in the mid-1990s, during the final months of Morrie Schwartz's life. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, with references to contemporary events and cultural shifts of the era. While much of the narrative takes place in Massachusetts, where Morrie resides, it also touches on Mitch Albom's life in Detroit, creating a contrast between the fast-paced world of sports journalism and the quiet, reflective atmosphere of Morrie's home.
The heart of the story unfolds in Morrie's study, a cozy, book-lined room that becomes a sanctuary for their weekly conversations. This intimate setting, with its comfortable chairs and warm ambiance, serves as a stark contrast to the sterile hospital environments often associated with terminal illness. Morrie imparts his final lessons in this personal space, surrounded by the artifacts of his life and career.
Beyond the physical setting, the book creates an emotional landscape that spans decades. Through flashbacks, readers are transported to Brandeis University in the 1970s, where Mitch and Morrie first met. These glimpses into the past, juxtaposed with their present-day interactions, highlight the enduring nature of their relationship and the timeless quality of Morrie's wisdom, transcending the specific era in which the story takes place.
Key Figures
Mitch Albom: The narrator. Mitch is a successful sports journalist who reconnects with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Initially focused on his career and material success, Mitch rediscovers the importance of human connection and life's deeper meanings through his visits with Morrie. His Tuesday meetings with his dying mentor transform Mitch's outlook on life and relationships.
Morrie Schwartz: Mitch's former sociology professor, who is dying from ALS. Despite his terminal illness, Morrie maintains a positive attitude and continues to teach, sharing his wisdom about life, death, and what truly matters. His courage, humor, and insights profoundly impact Mitch and readers alike. Morrie's final “class” with Mitch becomes his lasting legacy.
Charlotte: Morrie's loving and supportive wife. She cares for Morrie throughout his illness and provides emotional support.
Janine: Mitch's wife, who accompanies him on one visit to see Morrie. Her presence adds depth to Mitch's reflections on relationships and love.
Ted Koppel: The television journalist who interviews Morrie for Nightline, bringing Morrie's story to a national audience. His interviews help reconnect Mitch with Morrie.
Peter: Mitch's younger brother, who is battling pancreatic cancer. His situation adds another layer to Mitch's reflections on life and death.
Quick facts
Tuesdays with Morrie spent 206 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.
The book is divided into 14 chapters, each representing one of Albom's Tuesday visits with Morrie.
Morrie Schwartz was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 77 in August 1994.
A former student, Mitch Albom reconnected with Schwartz after seeing him on the TV show Nightline.
A newspaper strike coincidentally allowed Albom, then a sports journalist, to visit Schwartz every Tuesday.
Tuesdays with Morrie was adapted into a 1999 television film starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria.
An unabridged audiobook version was narrated by Mitch Albom himself.
The book's 20th anniversary edition in 2017 included a new afterword by Albom.
A stage play adaptation premiered Off-Broadway in November 2002.
About the Author
Mitch Albom (1958-) is a bestselling American author whose work often explores themes of faith, relationships, and finding meaning in life. He has written over a dozen books, including eight #1 New York Times bestsellers that have collectively sold over 40 million copies worldwide. He is widely known for his breakthrough book, Tuesdays with Morrie, a memoir sharing wisdom and life lessons from his weekly visits with his dying sociology professor. Published in 1997, Tuesdays with Morrie became one of the bestselling memoirs of all time.
A native of New Jersey, Albom earned degrees from Brandeis University and Columbia University before becoming a sports journalist for the Detroit Free Press, recognized with honors including being inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to his journalism and nonfiction writing, he is a screenwriter, playwright, radio/TV broadcaster, musician, and novelist. His first novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, was a major success and inspired a popular TV movie. Other notable works include For One More Day, Have a Little Faith, The Time Keeper, and The Little Liar.
Committed to charitable work, Albom founded several nonprofit organizations in Detroit focused on helping the homeless and underprivileged, including SAY Detroit and A Hole in the Roof Foundation. He also operates an orphanage and school in Haiti called Have Faith Haiti, which he visits monthly. Albom uses proceeds from his books and other ventures to help fund these philanthropic efforts. He continues to write columns for the Detroit Free Press and release new books. Albom lives in Detroit with his wife Janine.
