The Stranger in the Lifeboat: A Novel

Written by Mitch Albom

Narrated by Mitch Albom

#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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063137561

Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is the author of numerous books of fiction and nonfiction, which have collectively sold more than forty million copies in forty-seven languages worldwide. He has written seven number-one New York Times bestsellers – including Tuesdays with Morrie, the bestselling memoir of all time, which topped the list for four straight years – award-winning TV films, stage plays, screenplays, a nationally syndicated newspaper column, and a musical. Through his work at the Detroit Free Press, he was inducted into both the National Sports Media Association and Michigan Sports halls of fame and is the recipient of the 2010 Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement. After bestselling memoir Finding Chika and “Human Touch,” the weekly serial written and published online in real-time to raise funds for pandemic relief, his latest work is a return to fiction with The Stranger in the Lifeboat (Harper, November 2021). He founded and oversees SAY Detroit, a consortium of nine different charitable operations in his hometown, including a nonprofit dessert shop and food product line to fund programs for Detroit’s most underserved citizens. He also operates an orphanage in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, which he visits monthly. He lives with his wife, Janine, in Michigan. Learn more at www.mitchalbom.com, www.saydetroit.org, and www.havefaithaiti.org.

Reviews for The Stranger in the Lifeboat

[Fernanda Pascoal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding work, once again Albom left me in tears ...

[susanne · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed only because I was expecting something more. I read this book because it was endorsed by Dr Phil on an episode I watched . I kept expecting the story to flip into something more … but it just seemed like a typical biblical story with simple reflection. It paints a picture with great details of events and multiple charterers explaining current, back history and future outcomes. Overall it’s a message you need to believe and all tuns out as it was meant to be.

[Murtaza Fuaad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s rare that a book speaks to me without further notice and hook me until the end, but Mitch Albom’s books are always an exception. The Stranger in The Lifeboat leaves an everlasting impact on anyone who adventures through its pages. I recommend it to everyone. Thanks Uncle Ali for such a great suggestion.

[Dale Jackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great book! I couldn't put it down! A must read.

[charlette · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was very good.This book held my attention from the beginning to the end.This book was very well written.This book was a mystery that made you think.Any book I've read by Mitch Albom has been very good.

[Rebecca Robbins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Right on time! Such an epic story of life on life’s terms!

[Daphne Dominique · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book just like all Mitch Album’s books. They give you a certain peace.

[Mistee Townsend · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read!! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop listening!

[david_fosco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another phenomenal story by Mitch Albom. 'Stranger in the lifeboat' is a story of hope and finding God in the most unlikely of places.

[hoskinsd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I have read

[onionsreading · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I feel warm all over after i read this .

[danny zuck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mitch Albom narrated the story and was able to bring alive the characters he created.

[Karen Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Loved how he made it come to life!

[Brittany Hale · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Mitch Albom books and The Five People You Meet in Heaven and Tuesdays With Morrie are amongst my favorites, however The Stranger in the Lifeboat fell a little short for me. The book is still filled with Albom’s usual inspiration and faithfulness, that if you have read any of his books, you come to expect. With a simple and uplifting writing style, Albom writes a bittersweet yet uplifting story with a little bit of a twist towards the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Carol Murray Loughridge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it. It was an easy listen. Will listen to more of his books.

[Barbara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing!! As usual from Mitvh Albom. Fabulous and awe inspiting

[Shawn Barrett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome novel! A must listen to, read by the author Mitch Album.

[ja · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. I have been a bit hit and miss on this author. However, I found the book intriguing. The last 1/3 was excellent!

[meghan_howell_10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another finished book on my shelf by one of my favorite authors. I love these stories by Mitch. In the reason I do is that these stories have fiction but also mixed with many truths. I hope that has all my children grow older they will one day pickup these books off of my shelf and read them because I know they will enjoy them as much as I do. I have read almost all of this authors novels and I can honestly say that each one is unique, different, and magnificent. Can't wait for the next one

[Jackie Sevon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love all of every one of his books!

[Shamma Al-Kaabi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It related to every aspect of my life at the moment. Mitch Albom never fails to inspire me all the time !

[ling · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Easy to read but honestly there are better books out there. I find it to be slow, a bit contrived and not particularly inspiring in terms of the plot. Can give it a miss unless you are a die hard Mitch fan.

[Nancy Kelso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listened, now to read, again and again, and share.

[Brittany Robinson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was missing the “wow factor” in the end. But there were a lot of great messages.

[April Frye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The journey was amazing, heartfelt and inspiring. I really appreciated how the author kept the story flowing so easily between past and present and land and sea.

[audrey curlee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written and gripping throughout. Ultimately inspiring and reminding of what Belief is all about.

[KayVanHeest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mitch Albom's writing style touches deep inside my heart and soul. His characters become real; I feel their anticipation, sorrow, hunger, and hope right up to the end. When a revelation is divulged, it isn't an ah-ha moment, but it grabs me with an emotional force so strong that I gasp and sob. But not from sadness. God speaks through Mr. Albom's writings in such a personal way. Though fictional, the author's faith is on every page. I'm in awe of his talent, and his narration and timing are perfect for his story. His books always leave me with contentment and gratitude. I hope he knows how much joy he brings to so many.

[Marc Anthony Winters · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thought provoking. Good for conversation on deeper things. would recommend.

[Marie Piotrowski · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just didn't get it. It was weird to me.

[neale_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of his better books. A quick read and an enlightening one. A few twists a long the way to keep you guessing. Highly recommend.