The Gate By Dann A. Stouten

 

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Every life is a story. Schuyler Hunt is about to come face-to-face with the author of his.

When a planned getaway with his wife turns into a shopping trip for the girls, Schuyler Hunt finds himself looking for something else to do. An ad for a vacation cottage catches his eye, and he sets off in search of a much-needed break. When he arrives, he finds something far different from the typical summer home experience. In fact, he may have found a little slice of heaven.

The proprietor-along with a number of unexpected and yet familiar guests-welcomes him with food, rest, and conversation, until what started out as an escape from everyday life turns into something much, much more . . .

“There is a real world all around us. We taste and feel it every day. There is also another world where God dwells and those who have gone before us live with Jesus. Dann Stouten helps us discover that these two places intersect more than we often notice. If we pay close attention, we just might see, smell, and learn to taste the goodness of a world beyond this one.”-Kevin Harney, author of Reckless Faith

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Gate is a different story than what I usually read, so I wasn’t sure what it would be like. Schuyler Hunt takes to his childhood life and the memories he finds there. One thing is, this story is an allegory, and understanding that helps to understand the story. As Schuyler spends his time at a cabin of his childhood, he started remembering the past, but the entire trip turned into something very different, with characters that were a bit weird as well.

This book tells what it could be like in Heaven, with Schuyler there with Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit though the characters created by the author. This reminds me a little of the book, The Shack, though I did like this one a bit better, but it is just weird for me to have Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit in the characters of these different people, such as a lady portraying the Holy Spirit. Where I did enjoy this book, I don’t know if I would read more of this genre. If you enjoy this kind of book, you will enjoy The Gate. It is very well written, especially for a debut novel for this author.

I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dann A. Stouten is senior pastor of Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan, one of the fastest-growing churches on the West Michigan lakeshore. After a highly successful career in the auto industry, Dann returned to school and earned his DMin in narrative preaching. This is his first novel.