God, the Welder by Brandt Schubbe is an interesting story about a character simply known as Dad, a broken man in search of redemption. All Dad wants is to reconnect with his spiritual self, to rediscover his faith after being put to the test, so he chooses to live like a monk, withdrawn from the world. But when a stranger with a tattoo of a map on his face shows up, things take a different turn for him. In a mysterious and dark room, he will lose the gift of speech, and perhaps even more, but his journey has just begun. Will it lead him to hell or will he find the redemption he’s been seeking? This is an inspirational story filled with symbolism and many spiritual lessons.

Brandt Schubbe is a good storyteller with a rich imagination and he has created characters that readers will surely fall in love with. From the very first page, the author introduces readers to a powerful sense of mystery about the story, the man simply called Dad, the mysterious dark room filled with tools, and the stranger with a tattooed map on his face. The author has a unique voice which comes across as powerful in the first person narrative voice. I loved the concept and enjoyed the characters, especially the relationship between the protagonist and George and how he reconnects with his lost wife. God, the Welder is a good story that will inspire and teach readers and the author knows just how to get you interested.

Brandt R. Schubbe’s fictional work, God, the Welder, is written for people who want to earnestly explore the concept of finding one’s life purpose. The main character, whose name remains unknown and is only called Dad, is on such a journey and is affected physically, emotionally and spiritually. The book begins with an excruciating, painful event; however, it is truly life-changing for Dad. As he loses his physical senses, he is led into a deeper life of peace and introspection. He returns to one of his first aspirations, writing, where he develops meaningful insights into the difficult times of his life. His relationships with his adult children, Kaitlin and Matt – and their life partners, George and Nicole - grow in previously unexplored ways. Dad also develops insights into his relationships with his first love, Caroline, and the true love of his life, Margie, his spouse.

Finding one’s life purpose is the main theme of God, the Welder, by Brandt R. Schubbe. Mr. Schubbe displays several styles of writing in his book. The beginning chapters have a free writing flow to them as Dad examines his challenging past. There are also present day narratives as Dad changes his relationships with his adult children. A third style of writing is Dad’s current storytelling prose. While his writing is fictional, there are elements of his life’s truths interwoven throughout the tales. Clearly, Dad is a gifted, creative writer, although he did not share this gift throughout most of his life. There are many important messages in this book for those interested in exploring various ways of living out one’s spirituality.

Hopeful and inspiring, Brandt Schubbe’s God, the Welder is the story of a man struggling with the loss of his wife. He encounters a person with a tattooed map on his face and strangely loses his hearing and speech. Thus begins the journey back to his estranged daughter and son and to his tragic and troubled past. Forced to communicate by writing on a notepad, and trying to understand his own existence, he goes back to writing stories inspired by the people who have profoundly touched his life. Then he connects with his daughter’s boyfriend George, the welder, and reconnects with Margie, his departed wife, who both lead him on a journey that is at the same time physical and spiritual as he tries to make sense of his life.

God, the Welder is a compelling story of one man’s struggle to deal with his life while his reality becomes increasingly difficult and he alternates between reality, imagination and fantasy. It becomes a compelling journey through a tragic past that drives a man on a quest to find the meaning of his existence. Brandt Schubbe writes about a subject that is universally relevant and he does so in such a refreshing and metaphorical manner that makes his story unique and compelling. In the end, we can feel the man’s joys and pains as if they are also our very own. This is a story that tugs at the very core of our hearts and minds. As one man grapples with his present and his past, we are induced to do the same. And in the end, there is love and hope. This gives us some assurance that we, too, may find the reasons for our existence. This book is highly recommended!