Charlie's Trip
His Incredible Quest for God’s EmbraceDavid Hollenstein
David Hollenstein
After an accident, Charlie finds himself not in a hospital, but in a dark desert. This is not hell, as he first thinks, but the beginning of the world. He never imagined his deepest longings could be met through an encounter with God in the Garden of Eden. After everything is destroyed by the Fall, Charlie embarks on an incredible search for God’s renewed embrace. He travels from one biblical story to the next, uncovering surprising connections in God’s great story. But he is also tested at home. As doctors fight for his daughter’s life, Charlie tries to prove his innocence in the accident and save his marriage.
An easy-to-read thriller with refreshing depth.
David Hollenstein
346 pages
Publication date: October 17, 2025
What others say about this book:
“Charlie’s Trip is one of the best Christian books I’ve read in years!”
“A highly exciting story that illustrates how God has repeatedly sought friendship with people. Without theological verbosity, David Hollenstein entertains the reader. This book reveals the big picture of the Bible. Charlie’s Trip is one of the best Christian books I’ve read in recent years!”
“When I finished the book, I said to myself, ‘The Bible is logical, relevant, and written for me too.’”
“The book grabbed me! I enjoyed the writing style, and the suspense continued until the very last page. I understood connections to the Old Testament that I hadn’t before. I realized how great, powerful, and merciful God is. Thanks to the many questions Charlie asks, so much was explained logically. They were questions I had asked myself. When I finished the book, I said to myself, ‘The Bible is logical, relevant, and written for me.’”
“It’s powerful how the central theme of the Bible emerges.”
“I am very excited! You have to be open to a different approach to the biblical stations. When you do though, the experiences are profound, and the events become tangible. I wish I could have spent more time at each station. It’s powerful how the central theme of the Bible emerges.”
“I knew the Bible stories from school, but now I understand them.”
“This is one of the best books we’ve ever read.”
“I’m giving this book to all my friends interested in faith!”
“Every Christian should read this book!”
“I’m fascinated by the combination of crime novel and biblical stories.”
“This is a brilliant book! Anyone who loves novels like The Shack by William Paul Young should buy it!”
Access bonus material on Charlie's Trip
Are you reading Charlie's Journey and want more information?
- Timeline of events in the Bible (PDF).
- Bible study guide on the central themes of the book (PDF). Go deeper and read the texts in the Bible.
- Read the answers to questions that Charlie and the other characters still have after the story (PDF).
Four questions for David Hollenstein
David Hollenstein, you usually write middle-grade fiction. How did you come up with the idea for this novel intended for older readers?
I've had the idea for this novel for over ten years. I wanted to present the overarching themes of the Bible to young adults as well. Over the last three years, I made time to realize my dream of writing it.
How was writing this novel different from writing middle-grade fiction?
I carefully consider the topics of my middle-grade books. For this book, however, I allowed my thoughts to flow freely.
The genre is difficult to define. What can readers expect?
Foremost, it is a suspenseful story. Charlie, a modern-day guy, must fight to prove his innocence after an accident.
At the same time, he has strange experiences. He relives biblical scenes, beginning in the Garden of Eden. There, he uniquely encounters God. After the Fall, when he seeks this experience of God again, he realizes it is no longer possible. Charlie then experiences the story of salvation firsthand, witnessing God unfolding a solution to the problem step by step.
What theological position do you take in the book?
I let the Bible speak for itself. When God or other important biblical figures speak, I only use Bible texts that have been put into scenes. Does that sound boring? No, not at all. The Bible is still relevant today.
