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37th out of 149 books
—
93 voters
This Present Darkness (Darkness #1)
A prayerful pastor and a hard-boiled reporter fight a plot to subjugate the human race.
Paperback, 375 pages
Published
August 1st 1986
by Crossway Books
(first published 1986)
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Besides the bad writing and the clichéd, predictable storytelling, the message of this book is really ugly. Tall, handsome angels are associated with Protestantism, and foul demons are associated with, well, everything else (e.g., New Age spirituality, Eastern religions, and any philosophy that does not place Christ at its center). Personally I think New Age philosophies, astrology, and crystal power are all pretty silly, but deliberately associating them with Satan is not only ridiculously simp...more
Christian fiction at its very best.
Peretti doesn't make the mistake that a lot of other Christian authors make. He doesn't ever stop telling his story to preach some valuable theological lesson. Rather he weaves it seamlessly into the narrative. The overarching theme of this book is "the power of prayer". But the story is straight out of a Stephen King novel. A small town is under attack from dark forces, both in this world and in the spiritual realm. The story is told from the points of view of...more
Peretti doesn't make the mistake that a lot of other Christian authors make. He doesn't ever stop telling his story to preach some valuable theological lesson. Rather he weaves it seamlessly into the narrative. The overarching theme of this book is "the power of prayer". But the story is straight out of a Stephen King novel. A small town is under attack from dark forces, both in this world and in the spiritual realm. The story is told from the points of view of...more
27 likes · like · see review
My boyfriend gave me this, and it had me on the floor laughing. I never actually read any of it past the cover blurb, but the idea of a nefarious new age plot to enslave the world struck me as hilarious, considering the things I knew about Wicca from my adolescent 'I wanna be a witch' phase. It involves a lot of gardening and smelly candles, from what I remember. Watching lunar cycles, I guess. 'Dancing about without your drawers on', as Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax says. Even now, I'm having t...more
I remember "This Present Darkness" with fondness from my early - mid teen years. While some may disdainfully complain that Peretti is nothing but a fantasy writer for Christians and that his works cause the easily influenced to see demons behind every tree, in my opinion he does the church a service by reminding us of the supernatural forces which actually *are* at work in our world and which many of us have done out best to forget in this "modern" era. Do they function exactly as Peretti descri...more
23 likes · like · see review
This book was written in 1986, but I read it for the first time just recently. There are some things about the book that seem a bit dated now, but at the time I'm sure Frank Peretti was breaking new ground in a lot of ways.
This book was written at a time when the big enemy to the church seemed to be the occult, and it exercising influence in American daily life, and surreptitiously leading Christians astray; hence the main themes of the book.
What this book did that was unique in its time was giv...more
This book was written at a time when the big enemy to the church seemed to be the occult, and it exercising influence in American daily life, and surreptitiously leading Christians astray; hence the main themes of the book.
What this book did that was unique in its time was giv...more
11 likes · like · see review
I read this book twice, about a decade apart, and would read it again. Since I have an open mind about religion I could read it as a story and not as a religious philosophy. My dad didn't like the book because he didn't agree with the religious views in the book, but I saw them as background for the characters.
Anyway, the book is about the basic fight between angels and demons, but you see it from the angels' and demons' perspective, as well as from the humans' perspective that they are protecti...more
Anyway, the book is about the basic fight between angels and demons, but you see it from the angels' and demons' perspective, as well as from the humans' perspective that they are protecti...more
This book annoyed me in so many ways. There were multiple typographical errors. The characters all began sentences with "Aw". Not every sentence, but enough to be really irksome. THe idea behind this book is interesting but the characters were so unbelievable. The Christians were either fanatical or really evil in disguise. Everything that happens is attributed to either demons or angels. It was just too much. I did finish the book and I have to say at least the pace did pick up about halfway th...more
Back when I was into Christian Literature, I really loved this author. I've moved past a lot of Christian Authors, persay, but Frank Peretti will always have my heart. He's very witty and well spoken (and a ham if you've heard him speak in public). This book was written with a lot of creativity and enlightenment, and though I've moved past a lot of the 'spiritual warefare' movement that ripped through the bible belt in the 90's, this book is still one of the most riveting I've ever read.
It's fl...more
It's fl...more
I remember reading this book for the first time many years ago as a teenager. Reading it again twenty years later as an adult, I find I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I did when I read it for the first time at age twelve. What I believed as a teenager and what I experienced as an adult, gave me two different perspectives about this book. Both times I’ve enjoyed it for various reasons: the action, suspense, battle scenes, three dimensional characters, detailed writing, an imaginative plot, and...more
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-summary: this book shows the life of a few different individuals that live in this small town. They include news reporter, editor of the new paper, the police chief, and a new pastor of the church. There are demons congregated in this town causing trouble. They have gotten the news reporter thrown into jail and the pastor has become a nuisance to the demons so he gets thrown in jail. The police chief and editor are finding out that a group of people are trying to take over the town by buying th...more
I read this book when I was a preteen and have been dealing with symptoms of brainwash ever since. Of course it was not this book alone that was responsible for the inner conflicts I have had so much trouble kicking all these years but I know for certain that it contributed a great deal to them. I have not read it since but from what I remember, it basically brainwashes you into thinking that anything other than the specific type of Christianity it condones is in fact a lie of the Devil.. it bra...more
I loved this book when I was 13. It's fast paced and entertaining with lots of twists, suspense, and a feel good ending. Unfortunately, it is also cliche, naive, and ignorant. Example: A character gets "hopped up on marijuana," and robs a bank. Every vice known to man from complacency to rape is attributed to the influence of specific demons. The christian distrust of psychology is also evident. Psychologists are just satan worshipping, yoga practicing liberals. There is also a blatant ignorance...more
Has one ever wondered what it is actually like in the celestial world? Are there angels trying to protect us from everyday lives? Does it even exist? In the novel “This Present Darkness,” author Frank Peretti gives a taste of what is going on in the celestial world as his characters go throughout their day by showing the “other side” of things.
Even for those that do not enjoy reading, “This Present Darkness” has an insight on information that the human mind always wonders about. This author tri...more
Even for those that do not enjoy reading, “This Present Darkness” has an insight on information that the human mind always wonders about. This author tri...more
May 04, 2012
Sarah Booth
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who enjoy Fundamentalist Christian Fantasy/Mystery books.
Recommended to Sarah by:
Audible.com but didn't warn me it was Fundamentalist Christian Literature that bashes Eastern Religions.
Shelves:
tragic-flaw-department
I didn't realize that this book was based on Fundamentalist Christianity when I downloaded it from Audible.com. The story started out just like any science fiction fantasy book and then introduced a Christian component which I was perfectly fine with though I originally thought it was merely a basic good vs. evil type story. Being a C.S. Lewis fan (also of his Christian essays and books) I didn't have any problem with the book until it started to demonized and vilify "Eastern Mysticism". Now man...more
Hands down, the most eye opening book I've ever read that actually changed my views and outlook at everyday happenstance in the world. I couldn't wait for the sequel but darn it. It just did not stack up to the first. Sure it's fiction but man..this particular fiction has become my fact by deliberate choice because for me there is no down side in doing so. The book is a sparkler. I passed it on to my husband, who couldn't put it down, then my son who also loved it and finally I convinced my non-...more
This is the first of 2 books that were given to me during a very difficult and painful part of my life. I am not one to read religious (particularly Christian) based books if it's not a horror but these were different. This Present Darkness is the first of the two that I have read and is simply the good versus evil story with a much more contemporary drive behind it. More important is the 'hope' that this book can inspire - particularly if you are having a hard time trying to come to terms with...more
I read this book decades ago and it had a really significant impact on me at the time. Though I was definitely a person of faith, the idea of spiritual warfare going on all about us in this modern day was very foreign to my understanding of how God works in world events today. Frank Peretti's fictional story of the community of Ashton was an enjoyable read back then, but it really challenged my thinking.
I have just re-read it because, surprise, it is our current book club selection. I was foggy...more
I have just re-read it because, surprise, it is our current book club selection. I was foggy...more
Okay ... I did what everyone told me to do:
1. Keep in mind that it's written from the viewpoint of the fundamental religious right.
2. At the height of the Reagan era.
and, I still almost couldn't finish it. I'll be the first to admit that I don't agree with Peretti's agenda, but I'll also say that I imagine that there's pleanty of "normal" Evangelicals, just as there are Republicans. But, Peretti, I hope is just blinded by his faith, and just not flat out retarded.
The Cons:
For some reason, I don'...more
1. Keep in mind that it's written from the viewpoint of the fundamental religious right.
2. At the height of the Reagan era.
and, I still almost couldn't finish it. I'll be the first to admit that I don't agree with Peretti's agenda, but I'll also say that I imagine that there's pleanty of "normal" Evangelicals, just as there are Republicans. But, Peretti, I hope is just blinded by his faith, and just not flat out retarded.
The Cons:
For some reason, I don'...more
3 likes · like · see review
This book was recommended to me by a friend. I really enjoyed it! I found it hard to put down, especially in the second half, and had to stay up late to finish it. It's not without its flaws though. I found some of the characters and dialogue a little hollow, no worse than a Michael Crichton or Robin Cook novel. I don't believe that new age spirituality and psychology are inherently evil. I believe that certain groups can use any belief system and twist it around to use it for evil. But other wa...more
Review by Jill Williamson
Bernice Krueger, reporter for the Ashton Chronicle, finds herself in jail after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She came to Ashton to investigate the supposed suicide of her sister. Now, she and her boss, Marshall Hogan, start investigating some strange occurrences in town.
Hank Busche is a small town pastor who is trying to keep his argumentative congregation from falling apart. Little does he know, there are dark forces in town that are set on seeing him fai...more
Bernice Krueger, reporter for the Ashton Chronicle, finds herself in jail after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She came to Ashton to investigate the supposed suicide of her sister. Now, she and her boss, Marshall Hogan, start investigating some strange occurrences in town.
Hank Busche is a small town pastor who is trying to keep his argumentative congregation from falling apart. Little does he know, there are dark forces in town that are set on seeing him fai...more
3 likes · like · see review
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
This Present Darkness rival...more
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
This Present Darkness rival...more
What would happen if the fine line in between our natural world intertwined with that of a spiritual realm? “This Present Darkness” by Frank Peretti is a fictional mystery that depicts just that. Being a christian writer, Peretti wrote this book to enlighten the minds of anyone who was willing to read. This third person novel gives contemporary views on angels, demons, prayer and spiritual warfare. This book has no particular audience and it was written so all people could enjoy it, even those w...more
Read when I was very young, naive and hopeful.......and then I grew up.
This is not the kind of book I'd like to read again, but enjoyed it at the time for its "explanation" / "insight" / at least its imaginary way of creating a Spiritual Realm we humans may choose to relate to. I would however recommend it to people interested in finding a fresh way of trying to understand the spiritual world.
It’s not possible to understand the Spiritual Realm fully because our minds are way too small to compre...more
This is not the kind of book I'd like to read again, but enjoyed it at the time for its "explanation" / "insight" / at least its imaginary way of creating a Spiritual Realm we humans may choose to relate to. I would however recommend it to people interested in finding a fresh way of trying to understand the spiritual world.
It’s not possible to understand the Spiritual Realm fully because our minds are way too small to compre...more
Jun 22, 2011
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christian Fundamentalists Only--No Liberals Need Apply
Shelves:
contemporary,
fantasy,
fiction,
horror,
novels,
religion,
spirituality,
ultimate-reading-list,
popular-fiction
This gets as high a rating as it does because I have to acknowledge it does have its merits when contrasted to the books in the genre I've read, even if this is emphatically not a book for me. I tried this because I'm working through a list of recommended reading, "The Ultimate Reading List" and decided not to skip the "Inspirational Fiction" section of Christian fiction despite not being a believer. After all, I do love CS Lewis, so I thought there might be one gem on the list. This did well in...more
This book made me wonder exactly how much of spiritual warfare we face daily without realizing it. We are constantly tempted, tested and guided in the wrong direction by the world. We never really think about how many angels we have around watching over us, protecting our lives as long as we protect our minds. Keeping your heart and mind pure are hard to do in todays society, however, it is not impossible. We may be surprised by how much we can handle and still come out victorious in the end. I...more
Nov 30, 2011
Aaron White
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christianity,
favorites
It took two decades of prodding from my father for me to finally read this classic in Christian fiction. For some reason, I wasn't expecting a book about spiritual warfare to be interesting. Or perhaps the truth is that I was scared to let my eyes be opened to it. Regardless, I can now say with absolute conviction that this book was worth the wait.
Peretti is not the greatest storyteller or writer that you will ever read. His style is nothing special, just simple linear progression from multiple...more
Peretti is not the greatest storyteller or writer that you will ever read. His style is nothing special, just simple linear progression from multiple...more
This is a fantastic book. I read it when I first became a christian and was having a hard time grasping/picturing spiritual warfare. One of my friends (now husband) suggessted that I read this book (as well as book 2) to get a visual image in my head of what could be going on in the spiritual world. It was an eye opener and really impressed upon me the need and power of prayer.
I've since read both books again. They are just that good..
I've since read both books again. They are just that good..
This book gives you such a eye-opener on what the spiritual battles that go on around us....might look like. Frank Peretti puts a great emphasis on the power of prayer and, in the story, it is used to empower angels. It also shows how real demons and the devil really are. This may have been a fictional story, but it's foundation is in the truth. There is a real enemy out there to hurt us and he will do whatever it takes. But, those who have put their trust in the Lord need not fear them, because...more
It was a good read. It was a book that I knew when I looked at the first page, that the first page might be a toughy. You don't come in at an action scene, there is a description. But the instant you're through that there page, you love it. I found the book very enjoyable. Mr. Peretti has a nice writing style.
One thing that made me raise concern was the consistent exorcisms in the end. Although I do believe in angels and demons, as well as God and Satan, I do not think that if you see someone w...more
One thing that made me raise concern was the consistent exorcisms in the end. Although I do believe in angels and demons, as well as God and Satan, I do not think that if you see someone w...more
Damn, It was a long day that involved my spend over 100$ on my truck, so to relax I got a pizza and went to the library to find a good horror novel. They were closing early and this looked somewhat promising. I did not realize it was a christian propaganda book untill halfway through. Damnit. It does get a couple stars for being page-turnery. But once you realize what the message is (new-age, mystasism, eastern religion, meditation, humanism... is SATAN IN THE FLESH) and notice that the author w...more
1 like · like · see review
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazing book | 57 | 174 | May 11, 2013 01:27am |
FROM HIS WEBSITE:
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local blueg...more
More about Frank Peretti...
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local blueg...more
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