Kevin Donihe's Shall We Gather at the Garden? is a book that defies description. To try to classify it as a particular type of literature would be doing it a disservice, as the book covers a variety of territories in a variety of imaginative ways. While not for everyone, Donihe's novel is a great read.

A description of the plot is impossible, as the book veers off in a myriad of directions. Donihe's grasp of contemporary culture is right on and his ability to hammer it with biting satire is almost always funny. The book is filled with symbolism that proves itself clever, yet never obnoxious. His command of the language, dialogue and social settings is extremely sharp and he manages to mesh it all together into a story that, despite it's absurdity, starts to make sense if you stick with it long enough.

The Introductions, perhaps the most straightforward writing in the book, provide some of the biggest laughs, as Donihe, under guise of a set of different names, criticizes the work before it even begins. It is similar in style to Dave Eggers' work, but much more trumped up and much funnier.

Shall We Gather at the Garden? is some of the most original writing available to readers today. It blurs the line between fantasy and reality, while making sure that the author makes his point clear. Unfortunately, that probably means it won't find a huge audience. This isn't a book for someone looking for an easy weekend read. No doubt Donihe knows this. He should be applauded for his effort and for his willingness to experiment with the craft. The result of that experimentation is a great story.