Author: Frank Peretti
Genre: Christian Fiction/Supernatural Thriller
Favorite Line
"Have you ever tried to be Jesus? Believe me, only the real one can manage that."
Summary
I'm not going to even try to summarize this one. I'm using the one from the back of the book.
The sleepy, eastern Washington wheat town of Antioch has suddenly become a gateway for the supernatural --- from sightings of angels and messianic images to a weeping crucifix. Then a self-proclaimed prophet mysteriously appears with an astounding message.
The national media and the curious flock to the little town--- a great boon for local business but not for Travis Jordan. The burned-out former pastor has been trying to hide his past in Antioch. Now the whole world is headed to his backyard to find the Messiah, and in the process, every spiritual assumption he has ever held will be challenged. The startling secret behind the visitation ultimately pushes one man into a supernatural confrontation that will forever alter the lives of everyone involved.
What I Thought Of This Book
A friend suggested the author, Frank Peretti, to me. I was very glad to get the suggestion, because I had wanted to get into Christian Fiction. However, when I would scan the titles at the bookstore nothing stuck out at me as a story line I would like. I mean most of the Christian Fiction that I'd heard of where romances. While I do enjoy the occasional romance, I think I'm more of a Supernatural Thriller person. That is exactly what Frank Peretti writes.
I won't lie to you. The first fourth of the Visitation was a little bit of work. Good work, rewarding work, but work nonetheless. The book centers around a whole town of characters. I had a hard time just turning my brain off and reading when I was trying to remember all the townspeople's names and what their jobs were. In addition, the concepts introduced into the story often led me to reflecting on my own life. Thus, I found myself forgetting to read the page I was on, because I was thinking so much. Happily, once I got to the middle of the novel it was smooth sailing. I was able to stop thinking so much and just enjoy the tale. By the end to the book it was so exciting, I was reading like crazy to find out what was going to happen next.
Peretti is really quite a brilliant writer. His writing has a witty sort of humor, which I loved. It’s always good to have a giggle even when the characters are going through turmoil. I thought it was wonderful that he made excellent character and setting descriptions without making them dull. Thank you Frank Peretti, because seriously some authors can make descriptions a tiny bit boring.
I loved how well the characters were developed. They were very realistic to me. I felt like I knew a few people in real life that were close to the characters in the story. Some of the characters were little annoying, because this book is very good at demonstrating how delusional people can become. Some characters are just adorably clueless, because they are so gun ho to fix the problem they forget about the consequences. I was especially fond of the lead character, Travis. I felt like I could relate to him. Something about him that made me feel like he could be a good friend of mine.
Over all The Visitation is a quality story with mystery and thrills. I can't wait to read more books by Frank Peretti.
Facts I Found Interesting
Frank's introduction for the book offers insight into what inspired him to write the novel. Most of it has to do with his personal experience with growing pains of discovering the difference between religion and relationship with God. Quite a concept, I know, but I got what he was saying.
The Movie
I have never seen the film, but I'm not sure I would like it. From reading on Wikipedia and watching the trailer, I can tell there are some bothersome changes that I know would probably make me mad. Usually changes don't bother me much, but I think in the case of this book they would. I'm thinking that this story would go over better as a mini-series. However, the movie might have turned out being okay. As I said, I haven't seen it, so I wouldn't know one way or the other. If you have seen it let me know what you thought.
The Visitation Trailer
Music To Read By
Favorite Albums
My two favorites were The Best Yet by Switchfoot and Unbreakable by Fireflight. The first album is because the songs seemed to fit very well with Travis' character. The second because Fireflight is one of my favorite Christian bands and their songs were great for action scenes. I would have listened to their other album Healing of Harms, but I didn't have it on my player at the time. Now that I think about it, I probably should have listened to more bluegrass music since that is the main character’s favorite type of music.
The Visitation Playlist
I had some trouble with this one. I know this playlist only has music by three artist. I might not be my most varied playlist, but I felt like they were songs that I really would listen to while reading the book.
Meant To Live - Switchfoot
Drugstore Jesus - Plumb
This Is Your Life - Swichfoot
Concrete - Plumb
Liar - Fireflight
24 - Switchfoot
The Love We Had Before - Fireflight
Unbreakable - Fireflight
I Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
Favorite Line
"Have you ever tried to be Jesus? Believe me, only the real one can manage that."
Summary
I'm not going to even try to summarize this one. I'm using the one from the back of the book.
The sleepy, eastern Washington wheat town of Antioch has suddenly become a gateway for the supernatural --- from sightings of angels and messianic images to a weeping crucifix. Then a self-proclaimed prophet mysteriously appears with an astounding message.
The national media and the curious flock to the little town--- a great boon for local business but not for Travis Jordan. The burned-out former pastor has been trying to hide his past in Antioch. Now the whole world is headed to his backyard to find the Messiah, and in the process, every spiritual assumption he has ever held will be challenged. The startling secret behind the visitation ultimately pushes one man into a supernatural confrontation that will forever alter the lives of everyone involved.
What I Thought Of This Book
A friend suggested the author, Frank Peretti, to me. I was very glad to get the suggestion, because I had wanted to get into Christian Fiction. However, when I would scan the titles at the bookstore nothing stuck out at me as a story line I would like. I mean most of the Christian Fiction that I'd heard of where romances. While I do enjoy the occasional romance, I think I'm more of a Supernatural Thriller person. That is exactly what Frank Peretti writes.
I won't lie to you. The first fourth of the Visitation was a little bit of work. Good work, rewarding work, but work nonetheless. The book centers around a whole town of characters. I had a hard time just turning my brain off and reading when I was trying to remember all the townspeople's names and what their jobs were. In addition, the concepts introduced into the story often led me to reflecting on my own life. Thus, I found myself forgetting to read the page I was on, because I was thinking so much. Happily, once I got to the middle of the novel it was smooth sailing. I was able to stop thinking so much and just enjoy the tale. By the end to the book it was so exciting, I was reading like crazy to find out what was going to happen next.
Peretti is really quite a brilliant writer. His writing has a witty sort of humor, which I loved. It’s always good to have a giggle even when the characters are going through turmoil. I thought it was wonderful that he made excellent character and setting descriptions without making them dull. Thank you Frank Peretti, because seriously some authors can make descriptions a tiny bit boring.
I loved how well the characters were developed. They were very realistic to me. I felt like I knew a few people in real life that were close to the characters in the story. Some of the characters were little annoying, because this book is very good at demonstrating how delusional people can become. Some characters are just adorably clueless, because they are so gun ho to fix the problem they forget about the consequences. I was especially fond of the lead character, Travis. I felt like I could relate to him. Something about him that made me feel like he could be a good friend of mine.
Over all The Visitation is a quality story with mystery and thrills. I can't wait to read more books by Frank Peretti.
Facts I Found Interesting
Frank's introduction for the book offers insight into what inspired him to write the novel. Most of it has to do with his personal experience with growing pains of discovering the difference between religion and relationship with God. Quite a concept, I know, but I got what he was saying.
The Movie
I have never seen the film, but I'm not sure I would like it. From reading on Wikipedia and watching the trailer, I can tell there are some bothersome changes that I know would probably make me mad. Usually changes don't bother me much, but I think in the case of this book they would. I'm thinking that this story would go over better as a mini-series. However, the movie might have turned out being okay. As I said, I haven't seen it, so I wouldn't know one way or the other. If you have seen it let me know what you thought.
The Visitation Trailer
Music To Read By
Favorite Albums
My two favorites were The Best Yet by Switchfoot and Unbreakable by Fireflight. The first album is because the songs seemed to fit very well with Travis' character. The second because Fireflight is one of my favorite Christian bands and their songs were great for action scenes. I would have listened to their other album Healing of Harms, but I didn't have it on my player at the time. Now that I think about it, I probably should have listened to more bluegrass music since that is the main character’s favorite type of music.
The Visitation Playlist
I had some trouble with this one. I know this playlist only has music by three artist. I might not be my most varied playlist, but I felt like they were songs that I really would listen to while reading the book.
Meant To Live - Switchfoot
Drugstore Jesus - Plumb
This Is Your Life - Swichfoot
Concrete - Plumb
Liar - Fireflight
24 - Switchfoot
The Love We Had Before - Fireflight
Unbreakable - Fireflight
I Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
I hope you had fun reading this loves. I'm getting a little faster at writing these things. It's very exciting for a girl who's slightly dyslexic. Haha. I'm actually on schedule with my reading for once. Hopefully that means the next review will be up faster. I'm trying to think of really good stuff to post in between reviews. Any ideas?
Next About Books Blog: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohen & David Levithan
Next About Books Blog: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohen & David Levithan
5 comments:
Okay, i just love that first line;
Have you ever tried to be Jesus? Believe me, only the real one can manage that. :)
Great Review!
Hi Jazz
I can't find an email address for you, so please forgive me intruding on your comment wall. I’d like to invite you to write about your favorite books at www.bookdrum.com, where you can add information, images, video, music and links to illustrate and explore the books.
Right now, we're running a $3,000 Tournament and we'll be offering contract work to the best entries.
Best wishes
Hector Macdonald
Editor, Book Drum
I haven't actually read this Peretti book, although I have read others by this author. I think my favorite will always be This Present Darkness.
Another thriller/supernatural Christian author you might want to try is Ted Dekker. His latest book is called Immanuel's Veins and I really enjoyed it.
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