Title: Gods Country
Author: L. R. Eckley
Genre: Literary Fiction/Suspense/Survival
Year Published: May 9, 2020
Pages: 384
God’s Country has been on my reading list for some time now. I discovered L. R. Eckley’s book on Instagram but wasn’t familiar with the author or the title of this book. Initially, I thought God’s Country was a memoir, but then I realized that the novel was a fictional debut.
After tuning in to an episode of Books and Ale on Instagram, I became inspired to read L. R. Eckley’s book. While commenting on a review through my engagement group, Eckley offered to mail a signed copy of God’s Country to my home. I received the novel within a week. This is my unbiased review of the book God’s Country.
What would you do if you were invited to join your overzealous twin brothers-in-law on an 8-day wildlife adventure especially when your gravitational pull is offset by your atheist philosophical tendencies?
If I could capture the message of this novel in one word it would be tolerance.
-L.R. Eckley
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of tolerance means sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.
God’s Country begins with a 49-year-old husband and father of two, Cole Vandergrift. At 49, Cole strives to find harmony between his home and work life. On his birthday Cole is gifted with fly-fishing equipment from his sons Will and Tyler. He also receives a surprise 8-day Rocky Mountain fly-fishing expedition from his wife Molly and twin brothers-in-law Mark and Matt. While Cole is eager to learn the art of fly-fishing, he doesn’t respond well to surprises and is reluctant to spend time with his religious brothers-in-law. Cole is an atheist. Since adolescence, Cole’s challenged the idea of God and organized religion.
With encouragement from his family, Cole decides to embark on this adventure. Matt, Mark, and Cole travel from Philadelphia to Colorado where they are greeted by a Vietnam War veteran named Charlie Thompson. Soon the men descend upon Charlie’s sanctuary which is aptly named Angel Ranch. Cole is put off by the reference to angels, yet he and Charlie manage to form a deep bond.
Charlie regales Cole and his brothers-in-law with stories about his ranch and accounts as a pilot in Vietnam. After Charlie retires for the evening, the guests ease into their soothing last drops of whiskey and the warmth emitting from the outdoor crackling fire. Within minutes, Mark and Matt redirect their conversation toward Cole and recommend that he accompany his family to church.
Cole is perturbed by their comments and divulges his opposition to the Catholic Church. He speaks openly about the abuse of young altar boys by misguided priests. The conversation turns heated when Charlie reemerges to advise his lodgers to settle down.
The following morning, Charlie transports Cole and his twin brothers-in-law to the mountains by chopper. Before long, Cole realizes that he has to use a parachute to disembark from the aircraft. Cole receives instructions from the twins on how to position himself for a safe landing.
Unfortunately, Cole forgets to keep his feet up when he reaches the ground. As Cole gingerly begins his trek the swelling from his ankle elicits pain. Matt and Mark carry their packs in tandem so Cole won’t aggravate his ankle further.
The weather in the Rockies is perfect and the scenery is magnificent. The trio continue to explore the mountainside, inspect animal tracks along the trail, then hike downstream.
Cole and his in-laws set up their campsite. Aspiring to contact his family, Cole separates himself from Mark and Matt. He tenaciously crosses the creek seeking higher ground.
On the elevated grade, Cole registers enough bars on his cell phone to call home. Rejuvenated by his conversation with Molly, Tyler, and Will, Cole navigates his return to camp. Admiring the beauty of his surroundings, Cole touches on an extraordinary sentiment.
It’s no wonder people believe this could have only been created by a god.
-L.R. Eckley
This reflection bolsters Cole’s compassion for followers of religious beliefs.
Immersed in his thoughts, Cole comes across a mountain lion. Cole fearfully weighs his options for survival. Distracted by her cubs, the lion does not harm Cole. Instead, he cautiously resumes his trek down the mountain.
Reunited with Matt and Mark, the companions start a fire and prepare their first meal together. Impressed by Mark and Matts’s cooking, Cole acknowledges that he is in good hands.
Sleeping inside his tent, Cole wakes to a strange sound nearby. He studies his surroundings and subsequently discovers two circles of light in the trees. Cole suspects the mountain lion is nearby. Quietly, he returns to his sleeping bag where he is alert for the remainder of the night.
When he sees Mark and Matt early the next day, Cole tells them about his encounter with the unwanted predator. The twins alleviate Cole’s anxiety and break down their campsite. The men are invigorated to begin fishing.
Professional fly-fishing tour guides, Matt and Mark fish year-round. Cole follows their advice to learn the basics of fly-fishing. The brothers-in-law are adept at luring fish and reeling them in with little exertion. Beginner Cole gets off to a slow start. Eventually, he catches a fish too. The experience is exhilarating for Cole.
Fishing together, Cole, Mark, and Matt gain access to one another’s strengths. They start to forget about their differences and garner respect and appreciation for each other.
Incredulously, the journey takes a turn for the worse encumbered by obstacles and painful setbacks. Devoted to his wife and children, Cole is determined to see his family again and is forced to reevaluate his philosophical views in his quest for hope, endurance, and faith.
God’s Country is an introspective read. Eckley lures his readers to a picturesque landscape composed through an illuminated kaleidoscope without having to physically leave their homes.
Eckley’s character development of Charlie Thompson is brilliant. Charlie appears to leap off the page and inhabit your space. His main character, Cole Vandergrift is memorable as well.
The storyline brings to the forefront the children’s picture book entitled What is God? by Etan Boritzer, and The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kid.
Eckley explores themes based on religion, faith, nature, and grace. I like the idea that God can be interpreted universally. Does God take shape in different forms for each individual? Or Is there one God for all of humanity? Can God exist in the wilderness? Where does a beautiful sunset come from?
Years ago, a mentor asked me to imagine that God is everywhere. She continued on the path that God can be found in nature. Pondering the final chapter of God’s Country, her conversation came to mind.
I tend to look for the beauty in things. Similarly, I believe that God can be found in that beauty as well. I highly recommend reading L. R. Eckley’s book God’s Country.
