Left Behind (Left Behind #1)

Rating:
Summary: The Time is Now
Review: For any non-believers out there this is your wake up call! If you ever wondered what will happen to you if you don't believe in Christ, this book is your key to knowledge. The author's have written an explosive novel (and series) about the Rapture. I love this book. Rayford, Chloe, Buck, Hattie...all seem like friends of mine and love to feel with them as they face their trials and tribulations. Read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: Although the story itself is interesting. How could it not be? The Rapture? However, despite that and some very suspect conclusions about how everyone would react to such an event, the one thing that I didnt like was the writing. It was not very good and the characters were totally unsympathetic and unbelievable. I wanted to like this novel, but it was not to be. If you want end of the world stories by those who can write, try Earth Abides, Day of the Triffids or even The Stand. Stephen King's writing towers over these two.

Rating:
Summary: Great Idea/Terrible Execution
Review: I am one of those who has started reading these books and can't seem to stop. As thrilled as I was to see someone take on this topic, I am moreso disappointed with the authors' sad execution. This fantastic storyline possibility is being wasted by preachy characters, paper-thin plots, unbelievable situations and insipid dialogue. Every chapter could be cut in half for all the wasted dialogue and description, and the series condensed to 3 books. There is no need to spend 3 pages re-capping how two people met when you are 280 pages in to book number 3. There is no need to insult your audience by investing the scene with every single nuance, breath and hand twitch of every character. GET TO THE POINT! I am completely enraptured, pardon the pun, with these books and intend to read all of them. However, I can't help but feel the authors have severly underestimated the intelligence of their audience. Perhaps if they read and edited their material before publishing it every 6 months, they might have been able to broaden their readership outside of the limited Christian right demographic. It seems they want this message to get out to a global audience, and rightfully so. Or maybe they are simply bad writers. In a nutshell, don't read these books for their literary value. Read them if you are curious about the topic and have patience for hackneyed writing. They are quick reads, thank God!

Rating:
Summary: entertaining and sobering
Review: Left Behind is a really entertaining, sobering book. This book really fits the label of a "page-turner." You never know which way the plot will turn. It also dramatically illustrates the need for Christians to share the good news. I liked it.

Rating:
Summary: A tad too preachy for me...
Review: I began reading this series out of curiousity, but have found them much too sad. Not only are many good and caring people "left behind" along with the "evil" people, but the eternal preaching in these books makes them seem like the pamphlet I have left on my front door on Sundays. Not only is the writing extremely simple and the descriptions of characters and environment anorexic, these books lack reality. Characters are forever explaining their actions and sometimes the explanations are flimsy and confusing...

Rating:
Summary: Isn't it amazing..
Review: how every form of literature and belief can be tolerated in "secular" bookstores except this type of book. Liberals like to espouse freedom of speech and then absolutely go nuts when someone who disagrees with them comes into prominent view. I for one do not agree with everything written the book, and agree that it could have been written better, but I found it entertaining. Most people would be surprised how many people believe in some variation of this version of the end of time. If this were a muslim version, I'm sure there would be many accolades, but since there is extreme prejudice against "fundamental" Christians, there will only be criticism.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Story!
Review: I first heard about this book through numerous newspaper and magazine articles about it. I had never read christian fiction before, but because of the vast amount of coverage of this series, last summer I picked up the first book. I couldn't put it down and before I finished it I had already bought the other for that were out and put an order in for the next one that was scheduled to come out the following month. All in all, this is a great series, and having read the first six I can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: A book of hope
Review: This book is about the second coming of christ on earth and it gives out the hope that He is coming for sure in order to rescue the world from the disaster which will inevitably occur . I was always interested in Biblical issues and i have also bought relevant books and i think that this book is good for anyone who is interested to read an INTERPETATION of the bible in terms of what can we expect to happen on the second coming of Jesus . Really this is was the book is all about : how the authors believe this coming will take place .Their theory is indeed exaggerated but overall this book is coherent and suceeds in its ultimate purpose : To hand out hope and strengthen christian belief . Although the characters do seem to overcome every difficulty with great ease , its a good book with an interesting topic . It turns out that the biblical stories are very attractive . The book did managed to capture my attention and i also bought Left behind 2 and 3 and i will read the whole series . A good money value .

Rating:
Summary: Are you a Christian?
Review: This book really makes you stop and take stock of your Christian life. Do you have a relationship with Christ or are you just going thru the motions. I know some who do not believe in Christ feel this book is only preaching but to those of us who are Christians this is a great book for helping us understand what it will be like for those left behind after the Rapture. The book was exciting and thought provoking and has me re-evaluating my walk with Christ. I could hardly put this book down and can not wait to read the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting subject but simple plot.
Review: The book starts with huge hype and interest. Millions of peoplesuddenly disappear and only handful of individuals understand thisevent means nothing less than the rapture of the church and Jesus promised second coming. A reader is finding some information about the apocalypse time, but if one doesn't have a good knowledge of the "Bible", one will find some difficulty in understanding the dare consequences of being "Left behind". The subject is extremely interesting and important for believers and non-believers but the plot is somehow shallow and second-handed, and the story is for the most part of the book rather slow. Some ideas force you to think about life and morality , but some others are very naïve. Reader will find rather amusing the concept of Romanian Antichrist, who first needs an assistance from international business people and American press to take over United Nations while hypnotizing all advisors and non-believers, and elevating pretty but simple flight attendant to the role of First Lady. I had to admit I was looking forward to read the next sequel but when I had found out that Messrs. Lahaye and Jenkins decided to drag this story in 12 books, I became less excited about this entire story.