The River: Christian Fiction Book Review

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    “You were made for The River . . .”

    Gabriel Clarke is mysteriously drawn to The River, a ribbon of frothy white water carving its way through steep canyons high in the Colorado Rockies. The rushing waters beckon him to experience freedom and adventure.

    But something holds him back—the memory of the terrible event he witnessed on The River when he was just five years old—something no child should ever see.

    Chains of fear and resentment imprison Gabriel, keeping him from discovering the treasures of The River. He remains trapped, afraid to take hold of the life awaiting him.

    When he returns to The River after years away, his heart knows he is finally home. His destiny is within reach. Claiming that destiny will be the hardest—and bravest—thing he has ever done.

 

    Gifted writer, performer, and masterful storyteller are all phrases used to describe Michael Neale.

    With the highly anticipated September 2012 release of his first novel The River, as well as a second book, Your Great Name, which releases in October 2012, Michael is finding more and more ways to share his gift of storytelling as an author.

    As a Dove Award-Winning songwriter, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Michael W. Smith (“Rise Above”), Natalie Grant (“Your Great Name,” Worship Song of the Year in 2012), Rebecca St. James (“In A Moment”), Todd Agnew (“I Need No Other”), and Phillips, Craig and Dean (“Saved the Day”), to name a few.

    Michael divides his time among leading worship in churches, songwriting, and being a featured leader and teacher at conferences around the country. In between his travels, Michael serves on the team of Worship Leaders at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where he lives with his wife Leah, and their three children Micah, Maisie, and Wyatt.

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Julieanne's thoughts of The River:

    I thought The River was going to be more of a fictional work than it was.  It was actually a biography of a man, going back to the childhood trauma that scarred him and made him unable to enjoy life for so many years. 

    The River was a quick and easy read; it took me about 3 hours to finish reading it the other night.  While I enjoyed reading about this man's path through his own dry wilderness of childhood and young adulthood, and I became excited about some of the steps he took to trust in God and eventually find healing from his emotional pain, it wasn't the kind of book I'd choose to read a second time.

    I love white-water rafting; haven't done it for many years, but I really enjoy getting out on a rushing river and feeling the thrill and excitement of the ride!  The River brought me back to those times I had experienced the churning of the water, so I enjoyed "reliving" the moment as I read through this book. 

    I wouldn't say that it is my all-time favorite book, however, but for those who have experienced very painful childhood memories, I think they will find some healing for themselves in The River.

 

Julieanne
Joy In Our Journey.com

    Thomas Nelson provided me with one paperback copy of The River in exchange for my honest review shared here.  No other compensation was provided.

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