A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory: A Novel

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"A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory" by Michael Norton is a novel about 77-year-old attorney Dan Geary's journey through a stunning, unexpected Purgatory. As Dan encounters other Heaven-bound hikers and reflects on his life, he learns to desire goodness and love. This hopeful, inspirational tale reimagines the afterlife with humor and honesty, offering lessons in faith and purification. See more...


Product information
  • Fictional novel about a man's journey
  • A hiker's encounter with Purgatory
  • His purification, his journey, his encounters with others
  • Hopeful, inspirational and resonating with truth
  • Lessons of a heaven-bound hiker on how to love
A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory is Norton's first novel.

One morning, attorney Dan Geary, seventy-seven years old, finds himself in the middle of a rolling, polychrome landscape. The greens are bold and bright. Birds sing in the distance. Tall grasses surge like a sea before the wind. He has never seen anything quite like it. But somehow—with the doctors and beeping monitors suddenly gone—he knows exactly where he is: the afterlife.

What a relief not to be floating on a cloud, playing a harp. Instead, a hiking pack full of gear sits on his back, and he feels the familiar itch to start walking toward the far-off mountains. But he finds there is no trail, no map, no signage, and no one else in sight. As gorgeous as the scenery is, Dan feels in his bones: this is Purgatory.

Growing up, he'd imagined Purgatory as a detention center for delinquent children. What a surprise to see its beauty, and to feel so much hope. Yet along the winding way, Dan starts recognizing his tangled, imperfect, often wasted life, and he wonders if he will ever be ready to meet God. With no clue how long his hike will take, he gradually learns—through memories and through encounters with other Heaven-bound hikers—how to desire the good, how to wait, and how to long for love.

With confessional honesty and a sense of humor, this book reimagines the purification of the afterlife as a tough journey saturated with faith, hope, and love—and with overwhelming beauty.


SKU: 1010538

  • Author: Michael Norton
  • Pages: 269
  • Format: Paperback

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Overall rating: 4.857143 / 5 from 7 reviews.

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A Hiker’s Guide to Purgatory

"Interesting take on the subject but from all accounts of the saints who have had visions of purgatory, I think the author glossed over the pain involved in self realization and detachment from sin. Whatever measures God chooses to help us understand us probably won’t involve hikes through a mountainside or fishing trips with our father."

DONNA W. (4/5)

Trust in the Goodness of God

"This book is like no other I have ever read! And I mean that in the best possible way! I related so well to the central character, Dan, that when I wasn’t engaged in reading the book I was thinking about him! This book has since stayed with me long after I finished reading it! Absolutely loved it!"

Vicki T. (5/5)

Thought provoking

"I'm almost finished with this and have so very much enjoyed the adventure."

Shawn S. (5/5)

Loved it! Wish there were more books like it!

"I enjoyed this book so much! Easy to read and light hearted; yet it gives you something to think about regarding purgatory and the reasons it exists."

Patricia M. (5/5)

Great book

"This was a very interesting look at purgatory. I feel. like the real place may be a little tougher for most of us to go through, but it was nice to think there may be joy there too."

Juli B. (5/5)

Very in lightning! I'm only

"Very in lightning! I'm only have way through but I love it so far. Easy read!"

Karen H. (5/5)

Catholic fiction. Wow. Hope the

"Catholic fiction. Wow. Hope the author continues writing books like this."

Mary L. (5/5)

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