Danny Gospel by David Athey

available from Amazon

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (May 1, 2008)
• ISBN-10: 0764204440

reviewed by Ellen Gable Hrkach

Danny Gospel is one of those novels that I know will stay with me long after I’ve finished reading it. This book is an absolutely delightful tale of a young man who’s “kinda different” but his “heart is pure.”

Set in Iowa, the novel begins with Danny waking up to a woman, dressed in white, who kisses him. For the rest of the book, while he searches for this mysterious girl, we learn about Danny’s tragic life, told in his own peculiar and unique way. Danny’s own words are “I’m always in mourning, even when I’m happy.” This should have been a depressing read. On the contrary. It is an incredibly uplifting story filled with humor and innocence, joy and hope. At one point, Danny is provoked into a fight and seriously harms someone and, although he wants to stay, his friend gives him money and a car to leave town. During his travels, Danny drives down to Florida. Eventually, though, he realizes he must return home to Iowa.

Danny Gospel is filled with a cast of unique, sometimes quirky, well-defined characters, (with odd names like Grease and Slobber). The story is interesting and the prose is beautiful. One of my favorite descriptions is the following: “Rising out of a sea of corporate corn, there appeared an island of perfect acres, a hobby farm consisting of bountiful patches of pumpkins and squash, a toddling apple tree, and a wonderful scattering of yellow and orange chrysanthemums.”

Danny is “not quite right,” and yet to me, he seems smarter, more intuitive than most people. In a flashback of a conversation with his brother, Jon, we find out that Jon has been involved in some illegal activities. Jon says to Danny, “Please don’t think I’m a bad person.” Danny answers, “I don’t think you’re bad.” Jon says, “Thanks. That means a lot to me.” Finally, Danny responds, “I think you’re lost.”

The humor was wonderful and entertaining. Despite the grief of losing his mother, father, sister and grandmother, he continues to view the world in his own peculiar, honest, humorous and hopeful way. I read this book while I was waiting at the doctor’s office and found myself laughing out loud at some of the humor. This is writing – and entertainment – at its best.

I highly recommend this wonderful, delightful novel.