Rating: 
Summary: TRIPLE WHAMMY
Review: It's a rare novel these days that delivers the triple whammy: a riveting plot that keeps you avid, both surprised and convinced by the unfolding story; a deep wisdom and compassionate understanding of complicated characters in a morally ambivalent universe; and a precision of language that is up to the task of setting both the plot and the characters in a rich, particular, and fully-realized world. The story of Vincent, a Midwestern innocent headed to Taiwan as a Christian volunteer; his fall from grace; and the strange journey that leads him across mainland China, is one of great adventure and intrigue, fear, romance, and the struggle between our own essential loneliness and desire for connection. It is a picaresque journey Vincent embarks upon, ill-equipped, with good intentions and little worldy experience, but it is the inner journey that shadows his outer one that ultimately moves the reader most. By turns hilarious, contemplative and ecstatic, Heaven Lake marks a stunning debut of a major new talent. John Dalton has written a book as beautiful as it is true about the ways in which life is both less and more than we have the capacity to imagine. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Intrigues of the Heart
Review: John Dalton rises quietly from his writing desk and demands, with grace and beauty, to be heard."Heaven Lake" is not only a wise and multi-dimensional study of the human character--in this case, a young man named Vincent--it is also a study of cultural differences and similarities. It parallels Vincent's initially shallow view of religion with his shallow accessment of women. As he goes through the crucible of his own sin and redemption, he gains a deeper understanding of life, relationships, and God's unfailing love. Having traveled in mainland China myself, I worried that the book would waver in its attention to realism, but Dalton parcels out his details with a steady hand. Although he writes with utmost respect for the Chinese culture, he never whitewashes its imperfections. He expects us to view his characters and cultures with the same grace and forgiveness that he expects young Vincent to learn. Along the way, we meet unforgettable souls, such as Alec and Jai-Ling. We experience beauty. We learn lessons for our hearts. For years, John Le Carre has told stories of espionage which are often studies of the lonely soul and the things that motivate it. Dalton does much the same thing in "Heaven Lake." He peels back the facades to reveal the intrigues of the heart. In so doing, he has created a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Intrigues of the Heart
Review: John Dalton rises quietly from his writing desk and demands, with grace and beauty, to be heard. "Heaven Lake" is not only a wise and multi-dimensional study of the human character--in this case, a young man named Vincent--it is also a study of cultural differences and similarities. It parallels Vincent's initially shallow view of religion with his shallow accessment of women. As he goes through the crucible of his own sin and redemption, he gains a deeper understanding of life, relationships, and God's unfailing love. Having traveled in mainland China myself, I worried that the book would waver in its attention to realism, but Dalton parcels out his details with a steady hand. Although he writes with utmost respect for the Chinese culture, he never whitewashes its imperfections. He expects us to view his characters and cultures with the same grace and forgiveness that he expects young Vincent to learn. Along the way, we meet unforgettable souls, such as Alec and Jai-Ling. We experience beauty. We learn lessons for our hearts. For years, John Le Carre has told stories of espionage which are often studies of the lonely soul and the things that motivate it. Dalton does much the same thing in "Heaven Lake." He peels back the facades to reveal the intrigues of the heart. In so doing, he has created a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: A maginificent journey through the far East
Review: John Dalton's debut novel, "Heaven Lake," is an exotic tale of reflection, adventure, and intrigue. Vincent, a young man from Red Bud, Illinois travels to Taiwan to become a Christian missionary in the small town of Tolio. Eager to begin his work, Dalton perfectly describes Vincent's naivity amd innocence. Slowly, making steps toward building his ministry and gaining job opportunities, Vincent forms relationships with a wild Scottsman, a reclusive missionary, and high school student. Vincent's innocence is quickly lost and an inappropriate friendship leads to his hasty depaerture from the town of Tolio. Before leaving, Vincent accepts an offer from a local businessman who wishes to marry a beautiful girl from the mainland of China. Mr. Gwa has a plan for Vincent to travel to the remote home of the girl and bring her back to Taiwan. Vincent's travels through China and an unplanned surprise test his faith and resolve. Dalton writes with dramatic and awe-inspiring prose. The vastness and diversity of China are brought forth for the travel-timid to explore a contrasting region from the comforts of home.
Rating:
Summary: Rethinking Asia
Review: Perhaps due to generations of Communism and repressed information, American authors have enjoyed projecting a reverential, mystical quality onto Asia and Asian culture; elevating Chinese-born delivery men, waiters and launderers into oracles and sages a few spiritual steps above the rest of us in the West. In his first novel Heaven Lake [Scribner], author John Dalton sees East Asians as human as the rest of us-the hard-working and the non-working, the scam-artists, the exploiters and exploited-and he may be one of the first to tell this truth in contemporary Western fiction. Vincent is an American missionary from Red Bud, Illinois, with big plans to change the Eastern world, a strict Christian discipline, and a rigid schedule. But it seems that the East has other plans. Vincent quickly learns that his own truth is merely one of many; and finds himself entangled with a drug-smuggling Scot, a seductive Taiwanese nymph, and an underworld figure that needs Vincent to marry a pretty girl he's got his eye on, in order to smuggle her across the Chinese border and speed up bureaucratic hassles. Meanwhile, Vincent's carefully laid-out plans, his relationships with the Church, colleagues, family and friends, and even his very own character begin to crumble. And that may just be the best thing to ever happen to him. Like all great novels, Heaven Lake is rich in character and setting that stay with you long after you put the book back on the shelf (and, in this case, refer all your friends to it). Dalton's prose is lyrical, but its beauty doesn't get in the way of telling a great story that examines concepts of God, desire, loneliness, one's place in the world and man's contradictory nature. Called "a noteworthy first novel by a writer to watch" by Publisher's Weekly, we can expect to hear great things from this author (oh, and occasional Night Times contributor) in the future. ...
Rating:
Summary: An Innocent Abroad
Review: Reminding me of novels by Alex Garland, Paul Thereaux, and Graham Greene, Heaven Lake tells the story of a young American Christian who comes of age during a remarkable journey into the heart of contemporary China. Learning that life is far more complex than his cloistered, mid-western upbringing had led him to believe, Vincent Saunders is a truly original American character, and Dalton's exploration of the comic foibles and heart-felt discoveries of this naïve American abroad is both tender and unique. Dalton's unsentimental yet richly textured vision of China and Taiwan (it seems the author spent several years living and teaching in Taiwan and his experiences certainly translate well) reveals a novelist with a great passion for his subject matter. Heaven Lake also announces the debut of a writer worth one's attention. Dalton composes nearly perfect sentences, yet his craft never gets in the way of his true gift for storytelling. Heaven Lake is, ultimately, a great read--a suspenseful page-turner full of rich, multi-dimensional characters, evocative cultural detail, and a wry sense of humor. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: This book had a very different pace and plot than I typically enjoy. It starts with a young man (Vincent) setting off to do missionary work in China. I was fearfull that this book would turn into some bible-thumping, god-fearing novel about Jesus. It does nothing of the sort.
In fact, the majority of the story, and the turning events all point towards Vincent's wavering faith, his changing beliefs, and his blossoming cynicism.
What I liked most about this book is that I could relate so well to the main character, Vincent. The author does an excellent job to present Vincent's intra as well as interpersonal relationships in a style that is neither distracting or confusing. This writing allows for many stories to unfold simultaneously... Vincent's relationships with himself and the various others whom he purposefully or haphazardly encounters.
Though Vincent borders again and again on hopelessness and disbelief there seems to always come some small yet significant event or thought that provides him just enough glimmer of belief to carry on. The plot and characters do well to exemplify the mysteriousness of life. The fact that things are rarely black and white. Life is not always what we think it is, what we want it to be, or what we expect it to be. Life is indeed full of surprises...some good some not so good. What I grasped, as a message, from this book is that no matter how crappy life can be, the good times, the pleasant surprises, the startling beauties are worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a very impressive debut novel,wonderful to read and rich with new insights into China, spiritual longing and growth, and a young man's coming of age. It even has that very rare attribute of real suspense--I had no idea how it would end. What a treat. There is always that temptation to compare one writer to another, but I am going to avoid that. Because Vincent,the main character, speaks fluent Chinese, he is able to get inside the mainland and Taiwanese cultures in a way that is rare in books written by foreigners. Once that level of mystery is stripped away from a culture hidden for so long from Western eyes, China emerges even quirkier than we would imagine. Earnest Vincent from Red Bud, Illinois, makes an excellent guide into this world. His pragmatic nature cuts down on bouts of hysteria, yet he is a young guy and does make some surprising judgement calls. I will warn you that "Heaven Lake" does get off to a slowish start, but stick with it. Once Vincent begins to get his Taiwan ministry into action, you will not want to leave his side for long enough to eat breakfast. Your only regret in picking this book up is that it is not longer; although if it were, it might not be so perfect.--Candace Siegle
Rating:
Summary: an adventure into real life
Review: This is a wonderful book on so many levels. An exploration not only of China, but of alienation and belonging, and of personal beliefs that can both hold us back from the truth and push us forward at the same time with open eyes. A book with large ambitions that is funny and tender and with absolute control of the language, gripping to read.
Rating:
Summary: exceptional story
Review: This story of personal strength and growth is fabulous. Vincent changes from a young man to a loving and understanding person. His personal challanges are wonderfully told.
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