"Heaven Lake"

Eight years in writing, “Heaven Lake” by first-time author, John Dalton, explores the cultural differences between modern-day China and the West.

Vincent Saunders, an idealistic student of the Chinese language (Mandarin) and recent graduate from a church-related college in the Midwest takes a job as a Christian missionary in Taiwan. Although very lonely and troubled by being an alien in an indifferent country, he single-handedly establishes and runs a mission in the mid-sized city of Toulio. He teaches English classes to make some extra money as well as to evangelize his students.

The acquaintances he makes while living in Toulio include Alex, a foul-mouthed, hashish-smoking Scotsman; Shao-fei, the crippled son of his landlady; and, Gloria, another missionary with a passion for Chinese calligraphy and proselytizing.

Early in the story, Mr. Gwa, a local businessman, offers Vincent $10,000 to go to a remote city on the far western side of mainland China, marry a young girl, and bring her back to Toulio for Mr. Gwa’s pleasure.

Vincent sanctimoniously refuses Gwa’s offer and distances himself from the man. But, Vincent falls victim to his own loneliness. He disgraces himself in the community and in his church by succumbing to the sexual advances of a teenage girl in one of his English classes. Desperate for money and fearful of the threats made by the girl’s family, he accepts Mr. Gwa’s proposal and begins his long journey across China to retrieve Kai-Ling, the object of the businessman’s desire.

The trip, with its harrowing side adventures, bizarre oriental experiences, and problematic inter-personal relations, changes Vincent both emotionally and spiritually. With each experience, Vincent must revise some of his assumptions about contemporary China and make accommodations to his own cultural and religious views about personal relations—particularly love and marriage.

Throughout the book, the author conveys his utmost respect for the Chinese culture although he never whitewashes its imperfections. The reader is expected to accept the shortcomings and idiosyncrasies of the author’s characters and the culture from which they came. And, just as Vincent develops grace through his maturing and a new understanding of life and of God’s unfailing love, the reader will also experience an accommodation and acceptance not previously felt.

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