Michael Neale’s The River delivers a poignant story of a young man’s coming of age and coming to terms with his father’s tragic death.  It is an interesting read with engaging description and several riveting sections, but the lack of a clear Christian message somewhat disappoints.  Neale frames this narrative as a tale told in an airport by a world travelling whitewater guide.  Journal entries by the guide and others are sprinkled through the novel.  The story centers on Gabriel Clarke, who at the age of five, witnesses his father’s rescue of a careless kayaker.  Dad John Clarke saves the kayaker’s life but loses his own, and Gabriel is devastated.  Through the years, Gabriel harbors a resentment  toward  the kayaker who lived and for the river that took his dad’s life. The story follows Gabriel as he grows up with a mom he has hardly known, and as he searches for answers in unlikely places with surprising results.  Neale’s descriptions take the reader into the rugged outdoors. We can almost hear the rushing water and feel the craggy rocks under our sneakers.  We can smell those sizzling rib eyes on the campfire.   We can empathize with Gabriel’s plight because we’ve all searched for life’s answers.  However, this story does not cite Christian answers.  Redemption is a theme, but it is not clear that it is Christian redemption.  This novel is recommended as a compelling story, but it lacks the message expected from “Christian fiction.”  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the words expressed here are my own.

 

 

Michael Neale’s The River delivers a poignant story of a young man’s coming of age and coming to terms with his father’s tragic death.  It is an interesting read with engaging description and several riveting sections, but the lack of a clear Christian message somewhat disappoints.  Neale frames this narrative as a tale told in an airport by a world travelling whitewater guide.  Journal entries by the guide and others are sprinkled through the novel.  The story centers on Gabriel Clarke, who at the age of five, witnesses his father’s rescue of a careless kayaker.  Dad John Clarke saves the kayaker’s life but loses his own, and Gabriel is devastated.  Through the years, Gabriel harbors a resentment  toward  the kayaker who lived and for the river that took his dad’s life. The story follows Gabriel as he grows up with a mom he has hardly known, and as he searches for answers in unlikely places with surprising results.  Neale’s descriptions take the reader into the rugged outdoors. We can almost hear the rushing water and feel the craggy rocks under our sneakers.  We can smell those sizzling rib eyes on the campfire.   We can empathize with Gabriel’s plight because we’ve all searched for life’s answers.  However, this story does not cite Christian answers.  Redemption is a theme, but it is not clear that it is Christian redemption.  This novel is recommended as a compelling story, but it lacks the message expected from “Christian fiction.”  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the words expressed here are my own.

 

 

Twelve Unlikely Heroes by John MacArthur

Would you like to meet a man who “was and was not” or a man who would not be king?   These, along with ten other well-known and little-known men and women, are part of Twelve Unlikely Heroes,  written by noted pastor and author John MacArthur.  This book is a must-read spiritual experience.  Through reading the stories of these sometimes imperfect heroes, we learn that God can use us even with our imperfections.  Miriam, for example, was instrumental in saving the life of her baby brother who became Israel’s leader out of bondage.  Yet Miriam became jealous of Moses and suffered a deserved punishment. She had to learn obedience and to draw closer to God.  MacArthur calls her “the leading lady of the Exodus.” Also, James, Jesus’ half brother, who had grown up with the Lord, was a skeptic until the resurrection. Then, however, he became a leader in the Jerusalem church, proclaiming the way of salvation. Each hero’s story is penned with Biblical accuracy, yet in a down to earth, readable style that makes us eager to read more. MacArthur allows us to see the weaknesses as well as the strengths. He encourages us to see how God worked in each hero’s life to accomplish His purpose. We can see ourselves, in the disobedience of Jonah, in the desire of Samson, in the decision making of Esther. And MacArthur’s message is clear that we too can be used of God if we surrender to His will.   I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the review here expresses my own opinion.