Out of A Far Country chronicles the true story of Christopher Yuan, the son of two prosperous Chinese immigrants, who had, through their moral living and hard work, established a successful dentistry practice and raised two sons they hoped would join the family business. Christopher, the younger of the two, rebels when he goes away to school. Rejecting the traditional values of his upbringing, he lives a promiscuous lifestyle, begins dealing and using drugs, and spends less time on his studies. He flunks out of school, dishonors and deserts his family, and brings his mother to the breaking point. God intervenes in this family, and weaves a beautiful story of redemption of sinners, and reconciliation of a son to his parents, husbands to wives, and a family to himself. It is a touching testimony of the goodness of God, who makes beauty from ashes. One thing I feel readers should bear in mind when reading this story, is that Christopher's story is his story, he doesn't represent ALL Chinese people, or all men, or all gay men. In my circle of friends I have many who identify themselves with the LGBT community. Most of them have never touched methamphetamines or crack cocaine. I think the danger here is that people will read this story and assume that it is indicative of gay culture in general. I think it describes many things well about the party circuit, that both gays and straights involve themselves in. But, it is so often lauded as a book about a gay man turning from his lifestyle. However, it seems more about a partier gone sober, a rebel turned preacher, and a lost man found. He drops his drug addiction and chooses to identify himself as more than his sexuality. He embraces celibacy, which seems like a wise move for an HIV+ person anyway. This is not the story of a gay man turned straight. It is the story of a lost son found, a life turned around, and restoration. If you are looking for a happy story of a man who suppresses his feelings into non-existence and gets married to a woman and makes babies, this isn't it. If you are looking for an honest story of grace displayed to sinners, and restoration, this is your book.
*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.*
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