Frank Peretti's "Monster." Is it any good?

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I'm a huge fan of Peretti's books, but this book, (from the summary I've read) sounds awfully similar to "The Oath." To those who have read it I have a question: is it any good and how similar is it to "The Oath"? (no "Monster" spoilers though please)

Thanks!

[Ellesar]

I haven't read it yet, but based on the reviews I've read, it doesn't really sound (to me) that similar to The Oath...

[MsSherry]

I think it has a similar "feel" to it, but the plot doesn't seem that similar. At least to me. I hope to pick up a copy soon, it sounds excellent. I hope it's better than The Visitation. I didn't care for that one at all. That's just my humble opinion, I'm sure other people really enjoyed it :p

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I thought Visitation was very good but not his best. The only adult Peretti novel I haven't enjoyed at all is The Prophet. It had a very good message, but I didn't care for the actual book. I'll probably buy Monster when I have the time.

Thanks!

[writegirl1949]

Well, I'm almost done with Monster and no, I won't give anything away. :cool:

The similarities to The Oath are basically setting (although two different states) and pace/action ... it moves very quickly. I started the book two days ago and am nearing the end. I'll withhold final thoughts till I reach the end.

I'm a huge Peretti fan and loved The Oath ... particularly the allegorical message. The thing about Peretti (at least in these two books) is that there is no preachiness in his writing, no easy or "happy ever after" plotting, and he can get real without getting too graphic.

I keep searching for other "suspense" authors who write as real as he does and haven't found anyone else. In fact, if anyone out there can recommend others who write as realistic as Peretti does, please let me know.

Thanks, Francine

[wgjones3]

One quick question about Monster--does Peretti tackle the evolution/creation debate in the storyline?

[kerux]

To me a book from Frank Peretti, is kind of like a song from one of you favorite bans. You know it's gonna be good, even if it is similar to their other stuff. I need to get some of his books again.

[writegirl1949]

The answer to the evolution/creation debate in the storyline ... is "sort of" :rolleyes: I did finish the book and I'd read it again. But I have to say, "The Oath," is probably my favorite. There's something in the book that Peretti sort of leaves for the reader's interpretation :cool: (although it isn't anything really scriptural). I was hoping he'd ... well, maybe I better not go any further. I'd love to discuss the book with those who've read it but don't want to spoil things for those who haven't.

Blessings, Francine

[Merry]

I bought Monster yesterday, read it last night. I really liked it. First, Peretti is soooo visual when it comes to his writing. The opening scences in the woods are so crystal clear you can practically smell the moss growing on the trees. WG writes like that, I sometimes tell him his writing like virtual reality; it puts you right there.

I had been waiting for this to come out, because as I said in the contest thread, my own monster book was fried by a virus and I had put off re-writing it. I figured if Peretti was coming out with a monster novel that covered the evolution/creation debate then that could very well be all she wrote....savvy? I was pleased to see his was very different from mine, but not pleased to see the conspiracy he cooked up was almost mine to a 'T.' Oh, well, there's plenty of conspiracys to go around. :D

He did cover the origins debate from an angle Gumpngreen would really love and should tick off some of the upper echelon of the science stratosphere once word of it gets around. Or at least, one can only hope. But to lay it out here would spoil things soo....

The thing he did very well, in light of this, is that he did not climb all over the origins debate. In other words, the plot was story driven, not 'cause' driven. You could read this to enjoy a really good story (I love Beck's adventure) AND it would give you plenty to think about concerning the state of modern so-called science. So in my extermely humble opinion, Monster is an excellent story and it touches plenty of bases with my favorite cause. Mission accomplished, Peretti hits another one out of the ball park.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Is that big red circle on the front cover a sticker hiding some spoiler of the book or is it actually part of the front cover? Thanks!
http://www.blessings.com/assets/images/mnstrb300.jpg

[wgjones3]

I'm thinking that's part of the cover.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Its seems a bit unusual then. I mean very basic and not all that interesting. The Oath cover beats it completley.

[Merry]

It's part of the cover...something one should never judge a book by....

[Diannecp]

I used to read Peretti's kids' books when I was subbing in as school librarian (the only redeeming factor of library duty). I thought they were great. I've never been able to get through his adult fiction but am going to try him again after all these great reviews.

[elbib]

I read - The Oath - and really enjoyed it.

I'm going to get his new book today.

I'm cannot wait to read it.

Sincerely - elbib

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I started it and finished it last week. I thought it was very good, but maybe its because I'm not into really into Bigfoot but not a whole lot happened in the 400+ pages. I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as his other books. It was still good though. The first 50 or so pages and the last 30 or so pages were the best. What were some people's thoughts of what was going to happen.

At first I thought the Bigfoot was a just that - a Bigfoot and that people weren't wanting to talk about it because it was so ridiculous to them or that the very idea frightened them - like it was a superstitiion or something. Then the reader reads a bit about evolution and I had the idea that the Bigfoot were genetic experiments gone wrong and that they had killed the logger and hunters. But then it turned out to be very different! I'm glad Sing didn't die, that would have been beyond tragic.

[FireFeet]

I finally got this book from the library yesterday...and I battled through the first two chapters last night. It's so boooooring! But then I always ignore the science/evolution thread that floats around here....so maybe this just ain't my thing. :rolleyes:

[Merry]

:rolleyes: Bored by science? Some people... :rolleyes: Naw, keep reading, if you hate the science you'll love Beck's tale......

[David Meigs]

Next to his mom and dad, I’m Frank’s biggest fan. If you get a chance, go see him when he comes to town. If you saw his movie “Hangman’s curse”, then you know he played an eccentric professor in it. Frank is a Christ-like version of that character.

If you like blue grass, you should go hear his band “Northern Cross”. He is as much fun with a banjo as he is as a speaker/writer. I have not read the Monster yet, but hope to soon. The last time I saw Northern Cross, he was obviously working on the Monster. He spoke about the follies of natural selection, and I think the Holy Spirit added something extra just for me.

- David

[MsSherry]

Firefeet,
I agree, I have found the first several chapters to be VERY boring. I'm not especially interested in science/evolution either. I got Monster not too long after it's release, and I still haven't made it past chapter 5. I have however gotten engrossed in a non-christian book by a non-famous author that I picked up over the weekend at a book signing. :p :D

[Nessa-Ciryatan]

I must admit, after trying to read Peretti's The Oath, I have very little interest in reading Monster, or The Visitation, or any of those sorts of books of his. :S I thought it read too much like some of Stephen King's stuff, plus I don't believe it is a good thing to have to slog through a book to get to the good stuff - I believe a good writer makes it so that there's good stuff everywhere. :)

On saying that I will also add that This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are two books I hold in high esteem. I thought he did a great job with them, as well as with his Veritas Project series for teens to date (Hangman's Curse and Nightmare Academy). Frank Peretti is certainly a talented writer, just some of his books are not to my taste while others are. :D

Peace,

Nessa-C

[MsSherry]

This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness were my favorites. I couldn't put either of those books down. But the others I am just not too fond of :confused:

I think Peretti's a good writer, don't get me wrong, just not my area of interest so far in the latter books. But, I am going to keep plodding along in Monster in the hopes that I get hooked. :cool:

[TLHines]

Wow, some pretty interesting reactions to "Monster" from a variety of people--especially folks who thought it was boring. I thought quite the opposite: the pacing and plotting were fantastic, with something always happening. (Just goes to show you how people can have divergent opinions.)

My only criticism, and it's fairly minor, is that I feel the book could have benefitted from a "conservation of characters." Eliminating/combining a few of the minor characters would have simplified and strengthened some elements of the story. Still, a great total package, in my opinion.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, just not as much as his other adult work - excluding The Prophet which I found boring, but with a great message.