Rating:  Summary: An outstanding book, but disappointing narration Review: "Edge of Eternity" is an exceptionally good book, which provides a fantastical view of the struggle Christians encounter in their battle with the evil one. The primise of this novel is that of a hardened businessman, Nick Seegraves, who suddenly finds himself whisked away in to a fantasy world where past and present events collide with each other in rapid and frightening succession. Nick must learn to distinguish between people whom he meets when he reaches this world, and must learn whom he can trust. While he is trying to puzzle out what is happening to him, Nick is being pursued by both an unrelentless and horrifying evil, and is also being offered a superb gift, the gift of salvation! Mister Alcorn does a wonderful job of telling others about Christ, and about the spiritual warfare in which we are all engaged in an allegorical manner. One might call this book a modern-day retelling of the book, "Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan. The only problem with the novel are the two narrators of the audio verssion. Unfortunately, audio is the only medium for which I personally am able to find Alcorn's titles, and I must read them any way I can. I just did not feel that the readers' were actually conveying the emotions of the charcters very well, and often read in a brusque, fast-paced manner so that I often lost my train of thought, and had to relisten to certain passages. Why couldn't they have gotten Frank Muller? However, the book itself is terrific, and I sincerely hope that many will take my advice and read it to pick up some invaluable advice, and for a wild and edge-of-your-seat ride through a world that is not so very different from our own. Happy reading, and God bless.
Rating:  Summary: Will the Real Author Please Stand up (and resume writing). Review: "Wow! Great story!" I thought, at least throughout the first 3 chapters. Gradually, as I read on, I became more disapointed as the "plot thickened" - it becomes quite cliche-ish, such as, "little people hammering nails into the giants feet! C'mon! (Reminds one of Gulliver's Travels). Now I'm thinking, "What happened to the writer? Did he suddenly retire and gave the story over to a child with a wild imagination to finish?" I gave it a fair chance though. I continued on into the 10th chapter or so, or until I was near tears from boredom. A Christian/"Believer" will easily catch the message that the Author is attempting to put forth here, however, anyone else will most likely be baffled, bored and or humored by it. But don't take MY word for it, read for your self and judge.
Rating:  Summary: An excellent allegory for today's Christian--or anyone else! Review: At first, I found this book to be, at the beginning, somewhat confusing. I gradually realized however, that it was SUPPOSED to be confusing, because anyone that was whisked away from Earth and ended up in a cave in a foreign land WOULD be confused. Here we have Nick Seagrave, a man who, we learn as we go along, has had quite a rough, self-centered life. As he emerges from the cave he wakes up in, he finds himself in quite a different world than the one he knows. He meets a group of people led by an eccentric, and generally unpleasant man named Shadrach, journeying on the Red Road. They encourage him to join them, and as he does, he learns about himself, his life, and reflects on what kind of man he's been. He also discovers more about the Chasm, the great pit that he comes across, and ultimately discovers mercy from the Chasm-Crosser.It definitely helps to think of this as today's Pilgrim's Progress rather than a novel. It's an excellent allegory, and gives one a taste of the life that can be, and the life that one can escape. It has excellent parallels for today's Christian life, and gives a taste what the Christian life SHOULD be about from the standpoint of a man who has had bad experiences with the church. It makes Jesus, the Chasm-Crosser become REAL, shows His REAL mercy, his true love, and his REAL compassion in a very REAL way. It has certainly made me want to strive all the more to serve the true King of this world, the one that loved me enough to die for me, just as much as he loves you enough to die for you. I highly recommend it for any reader.
Rating:  Summary: Convicting Review: Before the main character became a Christian, the story was too macabre for me. In fact, some scenes even after that point were overly gruesome, in my opinion. One might argue that evil IS sickening, but Alcorn almost lost me due to this aspect. The story seemed to jump from one bizarre scene to another in the beginning, without enough development for me to follow. I also had the feeling I was missing some of the allegorical significance during this pre-Christian period. The second half of the book, however, completely redeems the entire piece. I seldom highlight while reading fiction, but found myself doing so throughout this section. It is filled with wise words and excellent analogies. This story has encouraged me to live with more of an eternal focus, and has convicted me to be more bold in sharing my faith.
Rating:  Summary: Edge of Eternity engages, enriches and stimulates Review: Edge of Eternity was my first Randy Alcorn book. It was a challenge to read at first, but then when I picked up on more and more of the imagery for the spiritual metaphors, Edge of Eternity became a powerful and engaging book. I also got the audio book version on cassette. I highly recommend getting the tapes. Listening to the audio touched my imagination and my heart. I feel like I have a greater understanding of who Jesus Christ is, how close we are to the eternal and that we are very much involved in a spiritual warfare. I'm an audio book fan as well as a reader, so I recommend getting both. Either one would be good to give to a friend. "Edge of Eternity" by Randy Alcorn is right up there with "Pilgrim's Progress," in my opinion.
Rating:  Summary: My highest rating for a soul-moving novel. Review: From the first cryptic three-line message found in a cave, to the final fading memory, this book stirred my soul with images of what the Christian walk really is, and what an awesome price was paid so that we might wear that title and travel that road. Don't expect a "whodunnit" here, not even one with as much inspiration as Alcorn normally writes. This book will have you in shame, in tears, and soaring in a victory we have yet to experience. It's fantastic and worth the time it takes to read it. Make sure you've got nothing to disturb you when you pick it up. You won't want to put it down!
Rating:  Summary: Best book I've ever read Review: I have a hard time finding books that will keep my interest. This one had me hooked on the first page. I couldn't put the book down. I highly highly recommend this book.
Rating:  Summary: Thought provoking Review: I have read Randy Alcorns other novels, and have found them to make me think about my spiritual life in a deeper way. This new book is no different. Written in a "Chronicles of Narnia" style, the futility of pursuing riches on earth is seen for what it really is. While the story is a bit bizarre at times, there are deep biblical truths hidden in the plot-line. I highly recommend this book
Rating:  Summary: A welcome challenge to my faith. Review: I loved this book. It made me think about my life and role as a Christian in relation to my family, my friends and my coworkers. Reading this book has helped me to think of them from an eternal point of view so that now, I want even more to tell them about the Lion and the Lamb. I want them to know this Jesus who loves them so much that he suffered the nails for them. I hope that all Christians who read this book will not only like it for it's entertainment value, but will like it because it challenges them to be the believers God wants us to be: full of love and compassion, boldly speaking the Word of God with power, giving of ourselves through selfless service, and looking for that great reward when we have completed this journey here on Earth. This book has challenged me with more of a desire to live my faith and to see people as Christ sees them. It has also challenged me to continue to study God's Word so that I will be well equipped to handle everything that Satan may throw my way, as well as the trials and tribulations that God may allow me to go through. I am no skilled writer, so I cannot judge the writing quality of this book. I just know that reading this book has made a difference in my life for the better.
Rating:  Summary: A welcome challenge to my faith. Review: I loved this book. It made me think about my life and role as a Christian in relation to my family, my friends and my coworkers. Reading this book has helped me to think of them from an eternal point of view so that now, I want even more to tell them about the Lion and the Lamb. I want them to know this Jesus who loves them so much that he suffered the nails for them. I hope that all Christians who read this book will not only like it for it's entertainment value, but will like it because it challenges them to be the believers God wants us to be: full of love and compassion, boldly speaking the Word of God with power, giving of ourselves through selfless service, and looking for that great reward when we have completed this journey here on Earth. This book has challenged me with more of a desire to live my faith and to see people as Christ sees them. It has also challenged me to continue to study God's Word so that I will be well equipped to handle everything that Satan may throw my way, as well as the trials and tribulations that God may allow me to go through. I am no skilled writer, so I cannot judge the writing quality of this book. I just know that reading this book has made a difference in my life for the better.
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