Mitch Alboms third book is a story of faith and fundamentally brotherhood. It's a narrative that transcends racial divides, financial constraints and religion. What makes "Have A Little Faith," a gratifying read is the tender language and the relaxed nature that the material is delivered in, the potentially drowning theme is handled with ease an subtly.

Mr. Alboms stories appeal to a certain demographic in the last few years he has moved away from the sports news desk and produced several New York times best sellers in "Tuesday With Morrie" and later "Five People You'll Meet In Heaven."

In "Have A Little Faith" Alboms story moves between the worlds of Christianity and Judaism, through the lives of two men, black and white, affluence and impoverished.

We follow a rabbi, embracing life as death slowly approaches and a younger pastor who struggles with his church and congregation. The narrative also offers the reader an insight into Alboms own religious beliefs, when he is requested to orate the eulogy of his rabbi-- a man he knew very little about.

As American cities and it's denizens struggle with the recession, they have turned more towards their beliefs, Mitch Albom explores the issues of enduring difficultly, heaven, friendship and the importance of faith in an increasingly diversifying times.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor's troubled church, a place with crumbling walls built on the solid foundation of history. Albom fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a quest, about seeking a reason, about finding that reason and the journey we go on to discover it.

Similarly, Have A Little Faith provokes questions of faith, religion, community and how organized religion affects and embraces those on the outside--

"The suburbs have changed things. Everyone drives a car. Everyone has a million things scheduled. How can you look out for your? You're lucky to get a family to sit down for a meal together."

Based on a true story Albom even delves into his past to reveal his atheism, although it may also be true to say agnostic beliefs as it not quiet clear if Albom believes in his faith or his disbelief in a god, as he playfully cites--

"we had forged a sort of you go your way, I'll go mine arrangement, at least in my mind. I followed no religious rituals. I date girls from many faiths. "

The dialogue is rarely challenging and it's clear that Alboms stories have mass appeal for their sheer soft belly and innocent language.

As the narrative evolves, and Albom forges a bond with the dying Rabbi, it becomes a little more transparent that the true motif in the story is one of rediscovering faith. The rhythm of the story is decussated with past sermons delivered by the Rabbi. They pepper the narrative with swift moments that chronicle lifes little mishaps.

"we read through his old sermons and discussed their relevance. I found I could share almost anything with Reb. He had a way of looking you in the eye and making you feel the world had stopped and you were all that was in it."

The material also raises fundamental questions about love and marriage-- in one beat of dialogue, the question of what love is addressed--

"love is proven through action, not words."

Hyperion is just one of a number of US publishing houses that are now subsidiaries of larger media organizations. All publishing house are currently addressing the challenges of monetizing in a digital age. In this quest to perfect the look of books on e-readers something loved about books will be lost, and somethings gained. The price of books will drop and the sales and book bundles may well increase in the coming years. One negative aspect in the future of the e book is the loss of quality. Hyperion uses a high grade of paper for their hardback copies. The dust cover is a wax backed sheath that further promotes the interest and quality that Hyperion place on their product.

The book is evolving, and LA2DAY is coming along for the journey. Follow our book reviews and get updated on twitter.

Details:

Have A Little Faith

by Mitch Albom

Hardcover: September 2009; $23.99US

Story by Terry Winders