The Encounter

Wow! Every once in a while you come across a book that causes something inside you to transform. This book has done that for me.

In my opinion, the author, Stephen Arterburn, is exceptional at relaying a message and conveying emotions, and even displaying Christian principles, without sermonizing the story. What I mean by that is, while reading this book, I don’t feel like I’ve been preached too – yet I feel the internal warmness of a day at church. 

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good sermon—on the contrary! But when I’m reading fiction, I want to be entertained. The Encounter is just that. Entertaining, moving, and even life-changing.

This story is told in two viewpoints:

The main viewpoint is that of Jonathan “Gold” Rush. Though a wealthy and famous business man, he has battled with inner-demons most of his life. After a recent suicide attempt, Jonathan agrees (with a little prodding from his counselor, Tim Moser) to revisits his birthplace, Fairbanks Alaska, to face the past that has haunted him for so long. He harbors so much anger and hurt toward his mother who abandoned him when he was four.

The second viewpoint is that of Ada Rose Guthrie, Jonathan’s birth-mother. She too was troubled by the past. Decisions she made long ago sent her life on a different course than she’d planned. Harboring years of regret and pain, she retreated into somewhat of a recluse.

I highly recommend this book. Although it is a fictional story, the author reveals it is based on two true stories combined into one.  The characters are not saccharine or unrealistic. They have real problems, strong emotions, and life-long issues that feel authentic. This is a short read, but the message will stay with you for a long time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogsneeze. 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 255