Peretti

[GTafuro]

I worry about the state of Christian fiction. Granted, I haven't read all or even most of it, but when a friend heard that I would be interested in Christian fiction, This Present Darkness by Peretti was handed to me with much breathless praise.

In his book, Peretti describes one of the angles as 'knocking demons away like tennis balls'. Really? Nothing brings me out of an epic battle between angels and demons like thinking suddenly about tennis. I read the story, it wasn't a bad story just... Safe. Myopic. There is one way to be and anyone who is any other way is possessed by a demon. Not only that, but they are part of a vast conspiracy to take over the world and make Satan the ruler of all. Most of the characters (though not the main character) were two-dimentional, reacting predictably to Peretti's world view and not to their personalities.

So, did my friend give me a terrible example? Am I in the minority with this opinion? Is this the state of Christian fiction? What I mean is, it this a standard?

Thanks, I look forward to your feedback.

[writegirl1949]

Well, as a Peretti fan, I have to respond, lol

This Present Darkness was one of his first "supernatural" books. My favorite is "The Oath."

If you want someone who doesn't play it safe, read Ted Decker ...

http://www.teddekker.com/site.php?content=home

Maybe you'll find something more to your liking there.

Blessings, Francine

[tlm]

This Present Darkness was one of his first "supernatural" books. My favorite is "The Oath."

Now I am just the opposite. I found TPD and the sequel, Piercing the Darkness entertaining, maybe because I was a public school teacher at the time and, well, felt a lot like the teacher in the story.

I found The Oath rather predictable in that, my son (18 yrs old) and I both figured out how it would end and who would die, long before we should have known--about halfway through. The Visitation wasn't as predictable, but it just simply didn't give me a satisfying ending. I haven't read anything else by him.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking him and will probably read another of his books at some time. If you check the copyright you will find that the first 2 books came out at a time that they were truly groundbreaking books for others to follow.

[Laina]

I worry about the state of Christian fiction. Granted, I haven't read all or even most of it, but when a friend heard that I would be interested in Christian fiction, This Present Darkness by Peretti was handed to me with much breathless praise.

In his book, Peretti describes one of the angles as 'knocking demons away like tennis balls'. Really? Nothing brings me out of an epic battle between angels and demons like thinking suddenly about tennis. I read the story, it wasn't a bad story just... Safe. Myopic. There is one way to be and anyone who is any other way is possessed by a demon. Not only that, but they are part of a vast conspiracy to take over the world and make Satan the ruler of all. Most of the characters (though not the main character) were two-dimentional, reacting predictably to Peretti's world view and not to their personalities.

So, did my friend give me a terrible example? Am I in the minority with this opinion? Is this the state of Christian fiction? What I mean is, it this a standard?

Thanks, I look forward to your feedback.

Another Peretti fan here! :D It's been so many years ago that I read this book that I don't remember tennis balls. It's hard to believe that you are that concerned about Christian fiction after reading this book. I don't think I would call it safe or myopic, but that's my opinion. :) In fact, many Christians don't even want to talk about demons, much less read about them so I applaud Frank for writing about this very important subject matter.

I believe that he is one writer who made the church much more aware of the spiritual battle that really goes on. So many of us live our lives without even a thought about the enemy and his evil schemes or devices and how they affect the world and the soul.

[whitehawke]

Years ago, when I started reading TPD, I was in the middle of a spiritual battle and the book was so real to me that I had to stop reading it. One day soon, I might go back and read it again.
Just in case anyone misunderstood what I was trying to say...I was paying Peretti a complement. :)

[Zanzibar]

Am I in the minority with this opinion?

I would think so. I love Peretti - and many other's do too, as evidenced by his success.

As far as this being the standard for Christian fiction - I think it is rather a high one. If I could write, one day, like Peretti - that would be just great!

Maybe he writes in a genre that is just not your cup o' tea?

There are many authors that are very popular that just don't grip me - if this was your first experience with Christian fiction, I would encourage you not to give up. Try another author in your favorite genre. You're bound to find one that clicks with you eventually.

[wgjones3]

Keep in mind too that THIS PRESENT DARKNESS was written in the early '80s. The story was showing its age even back when I read it in the late '90s.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

To be fair, Peretti pretty much introduced the world to Christian fiction that wasn't romance or altar calls. I have a bias as Peretti is one of my favourite authors and while his works aren't perfect, they are very good. Though I wouldn't call the Darkness books 'safe'. If they were safe, I wouldn't read them. But yes, they're not as intense as many thrillers/horrors in the non-Christian realm. So give the man a break.

I agree that Ted Dekker may be more your style, Steven James is great too.
Dean Koontz is a Christian but writes for anyone who likes quality thrillers/horrors.
Robert Liparulo is a gritty Christian author without sermonising, as is T.L. Hines.

[GTafuro]

But yes, they're not as intense as many thrillers/horrors in the non-Christian realm. So give the man a break.

I agree that Ted Dekker may be more your style, Steven James is great too.
Dean Koontz is a Christian but writes for anyone who likes quality thrillers/horrors.
Robert Liparulo is a gritty Christian author without sermonising, as is T.L. Hines.

Thanks for the other options. Sorry if I was too harsh. There is a quality about his fiction that reads like a conspiracy theory, and I guess that is what turns me cold. If you guys find him a good read, I'm glad he provides.

This all gives me an idea to start a thread (elsewhere on this site) about the differences, and only the literary differences between the Christian fiction and the secular fiction industries. We know the themes are different, we know the morals are different, but is there a difference in the art? If so, what is it?

[michaelsnyder]

Although I respect and admire Peretti, I've just never been able to get into his books. They sort of felt 'dated' to me the first time I read them, which was pretty near their respective release dates.

So I'm not knocking the guy, or his genre or even his publisher for that matter. (And certainly not his fans!) To me, it's a matter of taste. By the time I tried Peretti, I was already comparing him to King and Koontz, et al. And they had a sizable headstart on Frank. Over the years, my tastes have migrated away from supernatural stuff altogether. (If anyone cares, I read along the lines of John Irving, Nick Hornby, Douglas Coupland, Richard Russo, and even Steve Martin--and yes, there's an actual point to mentioning my current tastes!).

And I really don't think 'safe' and 'myopic' are unfair critiques either. Like so many have mentioned already, Peretti pretty much pioneered Christian fiction. But that was a long time ago. And good or bad...most art gets a little less safe and/or myopic (and other stuff) every year. Art evolves, as it should. Every new generation has ALL the former generations as influences. If CBA fiction is indeed a genre unto itself...then Frank had nothing to draw from, right?

To bring it to a (painfully) personal level...for marketing purposes, I'm constantly asked to provide comparisons to my work. I don't like the "if you like this author, then try this author" thing, but that's the publishing world we live in. And as such, the 'best' comparisons for my work are the writers I admire most and read most often (and thus, mentioned above)...my influences, if you will. And using my own argument, I have the benefit of their body of work to enhance my own. Technically then, my writing should be less myopic or safe or dated (and a whole slew of other adjectives too!)...but it's not. I don't hold a candle to the guys I'm talking about. And chances are, I never will. So I have no problem saying that Peretti is not as 'good' as King, just as I can say Snyder not even in the same league as Hornby. But there will be thousands of people who prefer Peretti...as well they should! And there will be at least a dozen people who prefer me to Hornby (I have a sizable family!).

So I think it's fair to say Peretti is representative of the time and the genre he wrote in, but not CBA fiction as a whole. Just like I don't think we can point to Ted Dekker or Lisa Samson or any number of historical romance writers and get an accurate feel for the entire genre. It all goes back to style and personal tastes.

So I wouldn't 'worry' about the state of CBA fiction. Just poke around and see if you find something you like (hey, you could be my thirteenth fan!). If you find something, excellent! If not, no harm done.

Also, there's no shame in loving certain authors and, um, not-so-loving others.

Mike

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I'm not saying Peretti is a better writer than King, he's not, but I don't like a huge amount of strong language and graphic sex scenes.
That said, I'm talking about the world of Christian fiction and Peretti did pioneer it, but like I said I also enjoy other writers - Christian and non.
Much of Christian Fiction was dire, now that's improved a little but it's got a long way to go. Sermons do not make entertaining stories.

[GTafuro]

Much of Christian Fiction was dire, now that's improved a little but it's got a long way to go. Sermons do not make entertaining stories.

That is part of what I'm saying. I'm coming from a secular background as a relatively new Christian, reading the fiction, and asking "why is it this way?" As you say, it's got a long way to go.

I guess that's why we're here.

[tlm]

To be fair, Peretti pretty much introduced the world to Christian fiction that wasn't romance or altar calls.

Several of you posted something that is 1/2 right. Even I sort of said it. Peretti broke ground in a certain type of Christian fiction. He showed publishers that Modern Christian fiction could sell once again.

Christian fiction seems to run in phases. When I was young--back in the days when public libraries and even many school libraries--actually had Christian books on the shelves--I could find Christian fiction (very old books). Many books in my high school library were donated and unless they had profanity they were shelved.

True, a lot of the fiction was preachy and some had romantic themes, but some of these (and they dated to the 30s, 40s, and 50s) were interesting. Lloyde C. Douglas wrote a couple of books that really got me thinking and they didn't seem preachy at the time. True, he wrote others that were very religions and made into epic movies. These began his aversion to Hollywood and he refused to have his later books made into movies.

When the self-help books of the 70s and 80s became popular, biographies of famous people and self-help books were all that would be published and the Christian fiction shelves became empty.

Slowly that trend may be coming to an end, thanks to Peretti and a few others.

[kdawgs34]

I think it is a matter of taste. I like commercial fiction. Some people like great literary fiction.

[michaelsnyder]

Great points all around.

Warrior/Gtafuro - I can't tolerate sermons cloaked as stories either.

TLM - Good reminder about the genesis of CBA fiction.

KDawg - I agree about personal tastes too. I like sampling from the entire smorgasbord, but end up ingesting mostly contemporary literary stuff. Variety is a good thing.

Mike

[bedocat]

As a new believer, I was critically comparing Peretti to Huxley, Vonnegut and so on, so I almost put it down, but I didn't - and was blessed by his visualization of spiritual warfare. A few years later I read the Oath and was somewhat disappointed, but still read through for want of this style, and for affirmation (to think and write in this genre).

I cling to the "Christianity coming through" (rather than about) as was said of C.S. Lewis in his Narnia books, for creative freedom.

(Now I guess I compare everything against C.S. Lewis, and this my taste speaking).

Anna

[Rachel E.]

I read some of Peretti's books. They were very real to me, and by no means "safe". I don't know if I was too young to be reading them, but the affected my life deeply, whenever I'm fighting a spiritual battle, I can actually 'see' it thanks to Peretti.
I'm a fan in a way, but not as much of him as some others. I think that he did an excellent job in that he trode where others feared to go.

[MsDee]

I've read both Peretti and Dekker and found both to be very interesting and informative. This Present Darkness is filled with "in your face" spirituality whereas Showdown (Dekker) I found to be more subtle. I have just written a Christian Fiction with a female lead and wonder how it will be received if it is "God Willing" ever published

[valya]

I'm a fan in a way, but not as much of him as some others. I think that he did an excellent job in that he trode where others feared to go.

[Sportsed1]

I am a big fan of Frank Peretti, and have like all of his books...until now. I just got the book House, and so far I'm greatly disappointed in it.

[pajarita_deDios]

So, did my friend give me a terrible example? Am I in the minority with this opinion? Is this the state of Christian fiction? What I mean is, it this a standard?

Thanks, I look forward to your feedback.

I can relate to what you're saying, not because I dislike Perretti, because I loved The Oath, but because I usually don't like plots to take over the world (although, if you think about it, that is pretty much the plan).

If you want spiritual warfare that will blow you out of the water, with no "muahaha" type of plot, read When The Day Of Evil Comes by Melanie Wells. It's the first part in a series now (although it was the only one when I first read it, and as far as I knew there weren't any plans to make it a series). Well, anyway, it's EXTREMELY intense, and not for the faint of heart. I ALWAYS read at night, and I always regretted it afterward, I could never get to sleep for jumping and being excited over the smallest noise.

Although, I have to say that picturing the heavanly beings as mighty warriors kicking butt is pretty cool.

[Merry]

When the day of evil comes...hmmm. I'm going to check that one out Pajarita, muchos gracias, baby!

[pajarita_deDios]

When the day of evil comes...hmmm. I'm going to check that one out Pajarita, muchos gracias, baby!

No problem Merry, I think you'll like it.

[grateful]

I read everything by Peretti and Dekker, and say amen to those who were not crazy about TPD, and okay with The Oath. HATED House What a one-trick pony!

[Faith18]

whenever I'm fighting a spiritual battle, I can actually 'see' it thanks to Peretti ... I think that he did an excellent job in that he trode where others feared to go.

I read TPD a number of years ago and had the kids (in high school at the time) read it too. I don't see him so much as having sermonized his story as having tried to illustrate the principles in Ephesians 6:10-20.

One of the aspects of the story we liked was that it was very realistic. I can that say confidently, as we moved to an area that is in the midst of a great spiritual battle and have seen the Lord move in some great and amazing ways. I have learned so much about what it means to be a Christian.

It's a very brave thing, I think, to go beyond what's expected or what sells or what a publisher is looking for, and to write what you feel the Lord is directing you write. I think that's what Peretti did with This Present Darkness.

[marytwillis]

I love Peretti!

[Mystery]

As an avid reader This Present Darkness was one of the first Christian fiction books that I ever read. I did enjoy it but I was 13. I have read most of his other works and enjoy The Oath the best. I have studied, and read for fun, many secular works as well as Christian fiction. There is a style and quality gap between secular and Christian fiction. This gap is shortening as Christian authors are able to write fulltime and consentrate more fully on thier stories and style. I would encourage anyone to find a Christian Bookstore near you and ask the employees about the various authors and take some time examining what's available. Mainstream bookstores will carry these books but will often lack variety, and knowledge about the books and their writers. If you are looking for something that is more edgy or may send you spinning circles then read Ted Dekker. Some of his works are not for the faint of heart. Others are just astoundingly imaginative.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Yes, Ted Dekker is awesome (and a little like Dean Koontz).

[kerrig]

I agree that Ted Dekker may be more your style, Steven James is great too.
Dean Koontz is a Christian but writes for anyone who likes quality thrillers/horrors.
Robert Liparulo is a gritty Christian author without sermonising, as is T.L. Hines.[/QUOTE]

I agree, Ted Dekker is excellent. And if you want something that you won't know how it will end until the end, then read Steven James "The Pawn" and "The Rook". I have to say, though, that Frank Peretti is one of my favorite authors and that he has influenced my writing style.

[Hisdaughter]

This all gives me an idea to start a thread (elsewhere on this site) about the differences, and only the literary differences between the Christian fiction and the secular fiction industries. We know the themes are different, we know the morals are different, but is there a difference in the art? If so, what is it?

I love what Francine Rivers said about the difference between Christian fiction and regular fiction. Check out her website at www.francinerivers.com - the first couple of questions under "writing tips". I would have copied and pasted it but wasn't sure if that was allowed.

[obsessivewriter]

I have read a few Frank Peretti books. I started "This Present Darkness" right before I left for college, but I never finished it. I also love Ted Dekker. His style, along with Peretti's, is a style I could never even begin to write. I am a Christian fiction writer. Not thriller and mystery. But I do enjoy reading them.

[rayruppert]

I've read Several of Frank Peretti's books and have enjoyed most of them. The Prophet didn't do much for me - probably because I was expecting more of the spiritual world interaction as was done in his previous books.

The Visitation really reveals Peretti's conflicts with his own what I would call, troubled, youth. Having read about his background I can see a lot of that coming out in The Visitation.

I got a couple of his mystery books written for teenagers and enjoyed them.

I hate to use the cliche but Monster was a page turner. Lots of excitement.

Tedd Dekker was mentioned and I've read some of his books. But when Peretti and Dekker teamed up for House I didn't like it at all. Very rare for me, I quit about 1/3 the way through.

[Write4Joy]

I would just like to inject that Peretti wrote TPD and the sequel in response to things going on in his own life. Take a look at his bio.

I find it interesting how once I learn of any artist/author's reasoning for writing something, my opinion of that person alters. It may not change my opinion of the book or song, I just gain a new respect for the person.

I try to remind myself of that whenever I read anything, there usually is a story behind the story. Even in my own writing, I hope people will not only look at the work, but the why.

This probably doesn't answer any questions, although I feel we need to be careful that we don't play down anyone's gifting. If they are doing it in the name of the Lord, then who am I to say. It may just not be my taste. (Some like steak, others prefer chicken, both are good sources of protein.)

[srussell]

Peretti holds a special place in my heart. To be honest, I wasn't much of a reader until I read TPD. I remember reading it late into the night and finding myself praying for the characters.

I'm not going to offer a defense or a criticism of Peretti's writting. I'm just talking about the impact TPD had on my life.

Even though I think Peretti is a good writer, I think that he is masterful at orally telling stories. Hearing him read is an incredible treat.

Sam