anyone read Left Behind? (not the kid version)

[TrustingGodAlways]

i haven't read it, but i read the kid version, i like the kid version better honestly

 

[rockytriton]

Well.. There's an unbiased opinion for you!

i haven't read it, but i read the kid version, i like the kid version better honestly

 

[Lady_Firehawk]

I read the first and second ones, then dropped the series like a hot rock. I didn't particularly like the writing style... not to mention all these tie-ins and whatnot just make my head spin.

It could be worse, though. It could be like the Wheel of Time series and have an endless parade of 800-1000 page-long bricks.

 

[Glenda]

I've read the whole series.. and enjoyed them.. But I'm an avid reader.. and often read 2 or 3 books at a time.. as the Spirit leads...

I had a really hard time reading The Rising.. and have not bought the Regime.. the Rising was about the birth & childhood of the anti-christ..

My spirit was disquieted by reading it.. So I'm not buying any more of the series..

 

[matthew2820]

Thanks for the tip. And I thought the Glorious Appearing was the last book. So there is still one more, The Rapture? I guess I assumed all that would be wrapped up in the Glorious Appearing.

it is the last book in the series, but the authors are writing pre-left behind books that sound really boring. I really don't care where the antichrist came from or whatever they are writing about. I don't recommend them. But if you want to read them then don't let me stop you. I don't really care and don't want to read them, but I bet there are some people that do so don't let me make that decision for you.

 

[Waiting for the Verdict]

You mean the Left Behind series were actually books?

I thought they were transcripts of sermons?

Or perhaps toilet paper.

Seriously, though, Left Behind is a joke. I write better than Jerry Jenkins and I'm not even published.

I also know some 4 year olds who'd give him serious competition.

 

[ImaginaryVoyager]

I read the first couple hundred of the Left Behind Books (well, that's what it seemed like anyway. I thought there were only going to be seven. At least that's what LaHaye/Jenkins said before the $$$$$ started rollin' in)

They're okay beach reading or for reading on an airplane. They are written on a very elementary level. They are quick, easy, enjoyable reads for those who like a little bit of titillating action.

My only real gripe with them is that some seem to think they are good theology. That's wrong. These books are pure fantasy. Pure entertainment. Take one to the park on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

But, yeah. Don't pay full price for them.

 

[march56]

I've read the entire twelve. I hear there's a "prequel" in the works (or maybe it's already out . . . I dunno).

I don't mean to be overly-critical, but I didn't like the series. Plot development was mundane, characters one-dimensional, narrative overly-"preachy".

In fairness, Jenkins does a reasonably good job with dialogue.

The best I can say in regard to the books is that they were better than the subsequent motion pictures.

I'll stick with C. S. Lewis, thank ya. In regard to film, "The Matrix" was a whole lot more inspiring (from a Christian perspective) and better acted than were the strained efforts of Kirk what's-his-name.

If Christian fiction and Christian film continue to play to the lowest common denominator (as the "Left Behind" series does), audiences are going to eventually forget there once were Christian authors of real substance, e.g., Lewis, T. S. Eliot, John Donne, John Bunyan, et.al.

"Left Behind" should probably have been left alone.

If you thought they were bad how could you possibly read all twelve?

 

[Blessed-one]

from a literary viewpoint, I really don't like the books. They're poorly written.

Idea-wise, um... there're merits.

I gave up halfway through the series.

 

[Angeldove97]

I have read the whole series of the adult books, but now the books that came after the series (prequels, sequels, etc). They are very good! I was debating if I wanted to read through the series again since I have some free time this summer.

 

[DharmaBum]

I read them all under a tree at the beach club last summer (not on the same day of course)....what a hoot!
Light fluff to pass the time. Literary merit? 1/10.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Thousands of pages of third-rate fiction that deal with a literal interpretation of the highly metaphorical Book of Revelation,

why does Revelation have to be metephorical?

 

[savvy]

ugh, the first ones weren't too bad, I liked the antichrist guy...then the authors pretty much seemed to write the books in about an hour and churned out a bunch of craptastic drivel. someone...make them stop, please!

 

[Sunrise78]

I think the series is good in that it keeps you wanting to know what happens next (at least it did for me). If you read the series, read it for the story, not for the books' literary quality. The literary quality is rather low, in my opinion. I think it is partially because they are cranking these books out every six months or so, and also because they are writing with an evangelistic motive rather than a literary one.

As for the theology ... I used to be very dogmatic about dispensationalism, but now all I can claim is to be premilennial. I think things are going to turn out very differently than any of us think.

 

[snoochface]

I've been reading the last book in the series for over a year now. I keep putting it down when I fall into a stupor, and then eventually pick it up again when I've had a few months to recover some brain cells.

What drives me is seeing what they came up with for the glorious appearing. I have visions of Jesus riding on the clouds while Mac and Rayford fly their jets in formation around him. Or of Jesus talking to any one of the 17,000 characters, all of whom seem to respond to everything ever said to them with the words, "I'm listening."

I was turned off to the books about three books ago. But I'm not a quitter so I keep on.

But, what has REALLY turned me off now is the new Left Behind video game that has been released. LeHay was quoted as saying, "I hope teenagers enjoy the game." The news story I read stated that the Tribulation Force, of which players can be a member, run around shouting, "Praise Jesus!" ... right before they blow away infidels with their AK-47s. The thought of Christians being portrayed as gleefully disposing on non-believers, knowing what their fate will be, sickens me. Knowing that LeHay and Jenkins condone and perpetuate this image disgusts me.

Money rules all, I suppose.

 

[JamiArch]

i finished the series last august and I HIGHLY recommened it. anyone who has read it want to discuss?

I have read the series and like Glorious Appearing best!

 

[Ellesar]

I've read all of the books and the prequel books (except The Rapture), and I love them all. I'm looking forward to the sequel book coming out.

 

[Citanul]

I've read the entire series, and while they're not the best-written books out there (and in some cases the editing/proof-reading left a lot to be desired), they did keep me engrossed as I wanted to find out what happened to the characters. I didn't like the final book that much, maybe because everything worked out, and you knew it was going to - there wasn't much drama involved. I also didn't buy Ben-Judah's conversion to Christianity - it seemed rather contrived and a bit far-fetched to me.

 

[firefly0434]

I read both the adult and kids versions and I have to admit that towards the end the kids books were more entertaining. The adult books just dragged on, what could have been summed up in a few pages took 4 books. Don't get me wrong I liked most of the books, but did eventually get bored.

 

[chick4christ]

i'm reading the series right now.
and so far i really like them.
the story keeps making me want to read more to find out what happens.