The Visitation

Rating:
Summary: A turn back toward darkness
Review: After reading "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness", both of which broke new ground, for me at least, I was dissappointed by "Prophet" and even more by "The Oath." "The Visitation" brought back some of what I enjoyed so much about my earlier experience with Peretti with its honest look at what it sometimes means to be a Christian in this world. The main character, Travis, experiences a lot of what I experience, ups and downs, success and defeat, and he doesn't usually know why -- but he trusts God even in his cynicism brought about by his experiences. I found the flashback sequences, which provide the backstory, very significant in that Peretti is almost always dead on in relating them to the present story. Travis' wisdom, and cynicism, are shown to be born of a youthful immaturity and naïveté and it was refreshing to see the protaganist of a Christian fiction novel developed out of a pointedly imperfect and human soul like myself. He failed, often foolishly, and then grew up a little afterwards. With this book Peretti brings me back to a "real" feeling story and even without the supernatural elements carrying such a prominent role as in many of his other novels, the story is compelling and absorbing. Perhaps even more so because of it.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Frank Peretti in his other books I've read usually takes awhile to actually get into his story but this book didn't really take off until page 300 something which really angered me because the whole book was only 511 pages. So about 2/3s of it was pretty much useless information.

Throughout the book there is this prophet in Antioch Washington, proclaiming to be Jesus but he actually has a lot of demonic influence, but fools the town through healing and miracles. The book shows his corruption and shows parallels he has to the main character in the book, Travis.

Peretti shows a lot of Travis's past to show the parallels, but thats the useless information. I think in this instance Peretti included all the extra information to merely make his book longer.

Although the ending of this book was good, the last 100 pages of so, overall the book wasn't that great because the first 300 or so pages were so boring. Also the book was entirely religious, so hence is not recomended to non-christian/catholic people.

Rating:
Summary: Frank Peretti at his literary peak
Review: Frank Peretti is probably one of the coolest Christian writers alive today. He comes up with the greatest plots, keeps you in the dark until the end, and crafts his story in the most imaginative ways. It's just like a regular movie plot, with Peretti's Christianity keeping close beside.

The Visitation is his finest work yet, taking into account his Darkness novels, as well as The Oath and The Prophet. You probably already know the basics of the plot...Travis Jordan, a pastor in the small town of Antioch Washington begins noticing the strange, allegedly miraculous events occurring around town. People of the town that he knows suddenly show up healed from all of their handicaps and giving the credit to Jesus. Then he receives a phone call from the healer. Before he knows it, he (and, since this is Peretti's first "First Person" perspective novel, so is the reader) is caught up in a chaotic present, a dubious future, and a painful past all at once.

Peretti wastes no time, catching your attention from the very beginning of the book. As with most novels, there is a period of calmness that, if you are an impatient reader, you must work through to get to the action, but don't you dare skip! You'll miss crucial elements of the story. However, I've yet to meet an impatient reader that didn't enjoy Peretti.

We gradually discover lots more about Travis Jordan, the protagonist of the book, through a series of flashbacks starting when Travis was at college, and leading up to his present situation. You gotta keep track of everything that happens, but it's worth it in the end.

Peretti incorporates something a lot different in this book than he has tried before...humor. This is the first book of Peretti's I've read that was so cool, and still so funny at times. Peretti has found a wonderful gift of inserting little tidbits of comedy here and there that provide tasty spice for the book. Example, we know that Frank Peretti once lived in a camper, so when he writes about the portable toilet that was first installed in the church of the story, you can tell he relies on personal experience.

And wouldn't you know it, Peretti can't stay away from towns that go bonkers, and this book is no exception. Ever since The Oath he's enjoyed doing that, it must be some sort of fantasy of his.

The plot, mystery, and characters thicken, the action intensifies, and the enjoyment peaks in this book. If you like good mystery, drama, action, comedy, and sound Christian truth, then this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Best piece of fiction I've read.
Review: I've read most of Peretti's other books but this is the best.

I've read a number of reviews in which the reviewer complains that Peretti makes fun of particular denominations. I don't agree. Each denomination is made up of imperfect people. We all do things and act in ways that fall short of what God wants from His church.

I spent a year working for the Anglican church. A good proportion of that time was spent serving a multi-denominational group of pastors. Some of the things that happened between the denominations in "The Visitation" could have been taken almost directly from those meetings! Peretti really knows his stuff.

The story is drawn out at just the right pace. The way Peretti relates Travis' memories of his early life and his wife are heartrending.

The drama pulls you along, urging you on. "Just one more page" became "just one more chapter" several times, getting up for work in the morning was hard work for a couple of days.

Just two more words...."go"...."buy".

Rating:
Summary: He's at it again!
Review: Often times, when I read a second book by the same author, I find that I've gotten my hopes up so high that I just didn't enjoy the story as much because I expected too much. It happens so often that I've finally come to expect it. However, Peretti always bashes those expectations, and this book is yet another example of that. His ability to weave a new story together is incredible. It seems that very little is the same from the other stories. It just comes with a strong Christian theme. In "The Visitation," I found an intriguing story of a false Christ, come to a town to show them how things could change for them if they would just embrace him. I think this book is an excellent reminder of all of the false Christs that are out there right now! The fact of the matter is, we need to be aware that there are many out there trying to mislead us. However, if we will stay in touch with Jesus, we are on the right path. Frank Peretti holds to that theme all throughout his different books. I, for one, applaud him for it, and can't wait to see what he has to offer next!

Rating:
Summary: Slow Motion Slam-Dunk
Review: Peretti refuses to be put in a box, tackling different issues in different ways, instead of resorting to the phenomenally successful formulas of his first two books. I like that. Sometimes it works better than others, though--that's the risk he takes. (More power to him.) Here, the risk was seeming shaky at first. I liked the initial premise--and no, the prologue didn't throw me off track as it did some of my friends--but I couldn't tell where this ride was taking me. Then, slowly, I found myself absorbed in the Travis' past, relating to every detail of his church experiences, laughing to the point of poignant tears at some parts. This book tackles some of the spiritual questions the church often avoids. It refuses to give pat answers, refuses to resolve everything in the usual casual manner, and left me feeling refreshed...I'd waded through some of my own struggles with this fictional character and realized others struggle too. Okay, the conclusion in the town streets got a little wacky and melodramatic, but the deeper issues hit home. Don't be put off by the slow-motion start--this book wants to slam-dunk you, if you'll let it.

Rating:
Summary: Complex, layered Christian fiction
Review: THE VISITATION was the first book by Christian author Frank E. Peretti that I have ever read. Previously, I avoided Peretti's work because I just wasn't sure that Christian fiction could be worth my time. I was sorely wrong, and I'm glad to admit it. THE VISITATION was a very well-written novel, by Christian OR by secular standards.

THE VISITATION is about an ex-pastor and his grapple with issues of faith and God's faithfulness, his search for the truth surrounding some strange events that occur in his town, and his discovery of a Jesus-like man who suddenly arrives on the scene.

THE VISITATION is a suspenseful thriller written in a well-timed manner. The characters are varied and interesting, and the story is multi-layered and complex. Frank Peretti's writing is honest -- he writes about humanity in all its imperfection and sinfulness; he doesn't skirt around delicate issues, and he never takes the easy or cliche Christian way out.

I would highly recommend this book, and any other Frank Peretti book. I am consistently impressed with his honesty and his skillfully written spiritual thrillers, and THE VISITATION is no exception.