Peretti can run hot and cold but here he's in top form as we follow the twin stories that make up this book. Good drama with just enough humor.There are some efforts by Peretti that haven't...well, haven't been my cup of tea. I like his attitude and his point of view, but sometimes his storytelling (in my opinion of course) leaves a little to be desired. In this case however I found myself getting involved with the injured minister and the people around him. To say too much about "what I like" will entail spoilers but I will say that the "supernatural" story here meshes well with the life story of the minister. The story of his journey from a personal shattering through the horror that settles on the people around him drew me in and held me. It's well told, sprinkled with just enough humor to leaven it during the horror "type" story.I like it and while I originally gave it 4 stars upon reflection I'm moving my rating up to 5. (view spoiler)[This is overtly a Christian story concerning a minister who has lost his wife and had his life shatter around him. He's crawled back into a shell and is doing his best to pull it in behind himself. He's basically saying, "leave me alone". And mostly he's saying it to a "gung-ho" new young minister who is enthusiastically intent on "helping" his predecessor. That's whether the said predecessor (our protagonist) wants his help or not.In the midst of all this a mysterious young man along with an equally mysterious (or even more mysterious) entourage arrives in town.... doing miracles. There is a strange fanatical religious reaction to the young man and his followers that ranges from the eccentrically humorous ("My soul doth magnify the Lord and behold, peas are 3 for a dollar." intones one woman in a grocery store) to the dangerous protection of their young .....messiah..... with lethal force if necessary. Is Brandon who he's leading people to think he is? Good book.By the way, two things. This is overtly a Christian book (as I said before). If that's not what you're looking for be aware. Also, some seem to think the book uses parody of Pentecostal beliefs. I don't see that. The story does deal with the damage dogma can do when applied judgmentally. Christians, as do all people who hold strong beliefs must be careful not to get into a "them and(vs.) us" frame of mind. Having been called to share the "Gospel" the "Good News" with all mankind our differences in belief, need to be held subordinate to that Gospel. What is the Good News? That God has made provision for ALL...that's "ALL" people. Doctrine is of course important, it's how we come to know and relate to God. Here Peretti looks at what "can" happen if we allow our rules about our denomination to become to us the gospel. We see characters pictured here who will be familiar to many of us. The biggest mistake we could make is to get judgmental about them, thus making the same mistake many in the book make. A misguided young man here sets out thinking that he has some extra special calling from God and that people just need to recognize it.(I'm speaking here of the protagonist in his youth. Brandon doesn't think his calling is from God. He's an example of someone wounded by a lie, by cruelty, an evil done in God's name. He thinks he hates God based on this lie.) The hero of the book has a difficult road to get to the reality of God. The book isn't parody it's about love. The Love that originates in God. (hide spoiler)]
I have heard great things about this writer (and even Ted Dekker was compared to his work/also read the book they did together and seen the movie via DVD). I read another previous work and thought it was an okay read. Now reading this one, caught my interest at certain peaks, and think it is quite a bit long with some of the backstories...too many characters to keep up with...is my only downfall with this read. Aside from my minor dislikes, I do like the biblical messages given and stated! "religion is a cry of the human heart for meaning...tradition has its myths and visitations...instead are worshipping idols by waiting and seeking God, the image it represents (paraphrased)." As a Bible Study teacher, this is so beneficial in an upcoming lesson. He emphasizes on regular people where some are always in church every Sunday, habitual attenders just for show (reminds me of the Pharisees, religious leaders). I think of all kinds of things to do to please God. Spiritual band-aids and need to PTL (praise the Lord)! I love these symbolic terms and initials used; moreover, he touches on wolves in sheep clothing--this type of deception will cost people souls straight to HELL! I hope to complete this read in the next couple of days. "Visitation" has too many characters to keep up with but they all have similar occurrences with the visitor. Some are skeptics--believing its the Antichrist as others believe it is the Messiah. Early on I agree with the skeptics since the Bible states when Christ returns that He will not touch the Earth again with his feet but come as He left in the sky. I was interested in finding out more about this visitation that goes from a mystery man to a mystery event to a great suspicion that took until the very end of a real thrill. Leisure read 2015
What do You think about The Visitation (2006)?
This book deals a lot more with "the church" and those who will grasp at anything to believe what is holy. Even though there were moments of extreme tragedy, there were comical moments as well. At one point, Bob Fisher and Paul Daley are talking about making "a point". It's like the skit "Who's On First". Pretty funny. I did some head shaking when some of what Peretti said hit rather close to home about the mega church. I attend a small mega church, if that makes sense. But I could totally understand and see how some mega churches operate out of necessity because of the sheer numbers that they deal with. I don't think our church is quite to that extreme yet as the one portrayed in the book. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was the length. If you got rid of all the back stories, which in my opinion didn't add that much to the book, you'd have a novel of about 400 pages max. I got to the point that I skipped over much of it. The main story is intriguing and, once again, gives us a glace into the world of small and mega churches.
—Barbara
"The Visitation" was an interesting Christian supernatural suspense novel. The world-building was excellent, with the details about the place and people bringing the story alive in my imagination. The characters were engaging and even the minor characters were realistic. There were so many reoccurring characters to keep track of that I occasionally had to stop and think to remember who a character was, but overall it wasn't a problem. The pacing was generally very good, but the (important) back story did drag a bit in spots.The novel explored why God doesn't give people everything they ask for, like why He heals some people and not others. It also explored how the whole point of Christianity can get lost amid programs, denominational squabbles, promises made by famous preachers on God's behalf, doing "the church thing," and other, often well-intentioned or necessary things. This was a major focus of the novel. A non-Christian would probably find this confusing, so I'd only recommend this novel to Christians.There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend it as interesting (if you're interested in spiritual warfare with a bit of mystery and good-natured poking fun at various denominations), fairly clean reading.
—Debbie
Rated PG-13 This is my favorite Frank Peretti book. The characters are three dimensional, funny and entertaining, the story captivating. Considering my own church background, it's a no wonder I can relate to Travis Jordan and all he went through and goes through in this story. A strange visitor comes to small town Antioch and begins to draw national attention with his Messiah like abilities. Is he Christ in the flesh returned? It's up to Travis Jordan, a depressed, former Pastor and Preacher, to find out who this guy really is and what kind of help he's getting. A good, gripping read.
—Teresa
