I chose this book because I've read at least one nonfiction book of Arterburn's and I am familiar with his name and story from attending Women of Faith events. I was excited to read a fictional story by him, figuring that his life story and ministry would enrich any kind of tale he might tell.
The Encounter tells the story of a man so burdened by his past that he is compelled to go in search of the answers to questions that have tormented him his entire life. The setting is rich in detail, set in Alaska in the wintertime and the characters possess the range of emotions that I would expect from Arterburn. The book was easy to read; in fact, I finished it in one sitting while on vacation.
This book was more like a short story, or an inspirational read in a magazine like Guideposts. It was short, but sweet. Although it wasn't too "fluffy", it lacked the depth and detail that a longer novel could have developed and I was a bit disappointed by that. Given Arterburn's history and other books, I expected richer character development and plot. However, the book was still a good story and a good light read for my vacation.
