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The Visitation
The sleepy, eastern Washington wheat town of Antioch has become a gateway for the supernatural—from sightings of angels and a weeping crucifix to a self-proclaimed prophet with an astounding message.
The national media and the curious all flock to the little town—a great boon for local business but not for Travis Jordan. The burned-out former pastor has been trying to hide his past in Antioch. Now the whole world is headed to his backyard to find the Messiah, and in the process, every spiritual assumption he has ever held will be challenged. The startling secret behind this visitation ultimately pushes one man into a supernatural confrontation that has eternal consequences.
The national media and the curious all flock to the little town—a great boon for local business but not for Travis Jordan. The burned-out former pastor has been trying to hide his past in Antioch. Now the whole world is headed to his backyard to find the Messiah, and in the process, every spiritual assumption he has ever held will be challenged. The startling secret behind this visitation ultimately pushes one man into a supernatural confrontation that has eternal consequences.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 1999
About the author
Frank E. Peretti
81 books3,673 followersFROM 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 bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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 bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 590 reviews
January 24, 2014
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.
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.
February 6, 2008
As a Christian author myself, I'm interested in the genre, especially the fiction side. Peretti is the dean of Christian supernatural fiction, and this book another of his fine entries, but it seems whenever anyone tries to make spiritual "battles" into physical ones, the result is strangely anti-climactic and unsatisfying, perhaps because the greatest conflicts exist in the human heart, and when you try to put those conflicts into the workaday world, they seem somehow less compelling. Nevertheless, if you're interested in this genre, this book is well worth the time.
March 26, 2015
I didn't know what I was going to get myself into - reading a well known Christian author's novel for the first time. I saw that quite a few of my friends and people I follow on Goodreads had read this novel. Almost everyone gave it a 4/5, and I'm here thinking like, "So why the one less star?"
I really understand why now. The Visitation has a very interesting premise and it is an all-around good novel. I think the only reason why someone might not enjoy it so much is the fact that it's dragged out a little too much... and the change between point of views (from First person to Third) can get some people I know, *cough* Melanie *cough*, REALLY annoyed.
AND Peretti also throws in so many characters at the same time, I needed to go back a couple of pages to remember who was who. I'm not kidding... like 30-40 characters.
...seriously.
The plot's simple: Charming dude arrives at a town. Happens to look like Jesus. Performs miracles. People praise him and call him the Messiah. Most of the town's ministers and "pastors," I use that word very loosely, are like:
And the only concerned minister, Kyle, is urgently trying to convince Travis Jordan, the protagonist (when the point of view isn't Third Person), to help him unmask the supposed Jesus.
Travis, a former pastor, however, is pretty sick of church and church-related stuff to give mind to any nut considering himself to be the Messiah.
I mean, Travis is fed up:
I would have to quote two full pages to show you his response to that statement. And, boy, was it caliente! Basically:
Yup, yes. Yes. Indeed he was.
Relatable: It was so easy - too easy - to relate to Travis. What true follower of Christ hasn't gotten sick of the church and (one way or the other) its unloving behavior?
Remember I told you earlier that this novel seems to drag out a lot?
In this, it does. Don't get me wrong, it's detrimental for character development. And it's very therapeutic to someone like me who's been through similar circumstances. Reading some of the earlier chapters where Travis reminisces of his past, I swear it was like reading a journal by 15-year-old Bianca ranting about the things she'd seen at church. Almost every "messed up" thing someone in the novel said or did I've seen, too.
Very therapeutic and sincere book for people to understand that while people fail you, whether they're believers or non, church or the world, Jesus never will.
...The real Jesus, of course. Not the fake one in the book.
Though the novel drags in some areas, the story does get more interesting and sinister as it goes.
To paraphrase another review, The Visitation is a novel in which Christians need discernment to understand why not everyone that says "Lord! Lord!" is of God.
Terrific story overall.
The Visitation will definitely not be the last novel I'll read by Frank Peretti.
I really understand why now. The Visitation has a very interesting premise and it is an all-around good novel. I think the only reason why someone might not enjoy it so much is the fact that it's dragged out a little too much... and the change between point of views (from First person to Third) can get some people I know, *cough* Melanie *cough*, REALLY annoyed.
AND Peretti also throws in so many characters at the same time, I needed to go back a couple of pages to remember who was who. I'm not kidding... like 30-40 characters.
...seriously.
The plot's simple: Charming dude arrives at a town. Happens to look like Jesus. Performs miracles. People praise him and call him the Messiah. Most of the town's ministers and "pastors," I use that word very loosely, are like:
And the only concerned minister, Kyle, is urgently trying to convince Travis Jordan, the protagonist (when the point of view isn't Third Person), to help him unmask the supposed Jesus.
Travis, a former pastor, however, is pretty sick of church and church-related stuff to give mind to any nut considering himself to be the Messiah.
I mean, Travis is fed up:
"Then it came - the one sentence predestined from all eternity for this moment, this place - exactly what it would take to set me off: 'Travis, we're going to take this city for Christ!'"
I would have to quote two full pages to show you his response to that statement. And, boy, was it caliente! Basically:
"'Pastor Kyle Sherman, dreams and goals in ministry are fine and good, but spare me this 'take the town for Christ' stuff. I've been taking as much of this town as wants to go for the past fifteen years. I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and the town and I are sick of it.'
He looked up at me from the couch. His face seemed so different, so tranquil, when his mouth wasn't moving.
'You seem bitter.'"
Yup, yes. Yes. Indeed he was.
Relatable: It was so easy - too easy - to relate to Travis. What true follower of Christ hasn't gotten sick of the church and (one way or the other) its unloving behavior?
Remember I told you earlier that this novel seems to drag out a lot?
In this, it does. Don't get me wrong, it's detrimental for character development. And it's very therapeutic to someone like me who's been through similar circumstances. Reading some of the earlier chapters where Travis reminisces of his past, I swear it was like reading a journal by 15-year-old Bianca ranting about the things she'd seen at church. Almost every "messed up" thing someone in the novel said or did I've seen, too.
Very therapeutic and sincere book for people to understand that while people fail you, whether they're believers or non, church or the world, Jesus never will.
...The real Jesus, of course. Not the fake one in the book.
Though the novel drags in some areas, the story does get more interesting and sinister as it goes.
To paraphrase another review, The Visitation is a novel in which Christians need discernment to understand why not everyone that says "Lord! Lord!" is of God.
Terrific story overall.
The Visitation will definitely not be the last novel I'll read by Frank Peretti.
September 21, 2011
First time I've read a religious novel like this one. I had put off reading a Frank Peretti for the obvious reasons but glad I did it.
I originally purchased a hardback copy for 25c in a charity shop in Florida recently on vacation. I left it behind due to luggage restrictions blah blah. Anyway I just had to buy it again but it cost me a lot more !
As I say it is definitely a religious story about a town which appears to have been visited by Jesus and how the town react and behave.
Twinned with the prophet story is the unwinding tale of the towns minister which captivated me totally throughout. There was not a lull in my interest or enjoyment of reading and I had expected to skim read at least a small portion with it being the genre it is, but this did not happen.
Frank sure knows about the complexities and torments of the human spirit and can write an amazing tale.
Yeah I've said it's religious haven't I ? But there is much humour too.
Thoroughly enjoyed this non preachy totally religious novel and will read more from this author. Although I fully appreciate it will not be to everyone's taste.
(Have read one other, with slightly less religious tones, which blew me away too 'SCARS' which has had very little popularity I guess due to the religious aspect.) A shame as I feel we're missing out on some fantastic pieces of work.)
I originally purchased a hardback copy for 25c in a charity shop in Florida recently on vacation. I left it behind due to luggage restrictions blah blah. Anyway I just had to buy it again but it cost me a lot more !
As I say it is definitely a religious story about a town which appears to have been visited by Jesus and how the town react and behave.
Twinned with the prophet story is the unwinding tale of the towns minister which captivated me totally throughout. There was not a lull in my interest or enjoyment of reading and I had expected to skim read at least a small portion with it being the genre it is, but this did not happen.
Frank sure knows about the complexities and torments of the human spirit and can write an amazing tale.
Yeah I've said it's religious haven't I ? But there is much humour too.
Thoroughly enjoyed this non preachy totally religious novel and will read more from this author. Although I fully appreciate it will not be to everyone's taste.
(Have read one other, with slightly less religious tones, which blew me away too 'SCARS' which has had very little popularity I guess due to the religious aspect.) A shame as I feel we're missing out on some fantastic pieces of work.)
January 3, 2018
What a fascinating book! I don't usually like Peretti's novels too much (his writing style + longwindedness get on my nerves) but this one gripped me and didn't let go. Travis is so great, as are Kyle and Marian. It was interesting, seeing the different denominations portrayed in this book, as were all of Travis' flashbacks. Overall, an excellent thriller. (I just wish that Nicholls had been saved in the end.)
Incidentally, this is the second Christian novel I've read where someone comes along, claiming to be Jesus, and deceives a whole bunch of people (the other one being Tartarus by Jack Cavanaugh). It's pretty freaky, the way so many people fall for it. I can't say which take on the idea I like better - they're both well-written and chilling.
Incidentally, this is the second Christian novel I've read where someone comes along, claiming to be Jesus, and deceives a whole bunch of people (the other one being Tartarus by Jack Cavanaugh). It's pretty freaky, the way so many people fall for it. I can't say which take on the idea I like better - they're both well-written and chilling.
October 19, 2020
Peretti is good at coming up with interesting stories. I read a couple of his books back in 90s and ready to tackle them again now they are available in audiobook from my local library. This one is definitely centered around the church, faith, and Christian Biblical themes. This town has an antichrist character that shows up basically out of nowhere and starts winning people over. Then all hell breaks loose. One man stands against him and sees through all the fake elements and searches to get to the bottom of the story. Through his faith and a lot of persistence he eventually unmasks the antagonist and saves the town. The story was a little tropish but I enjoyed it all the same. Not winning an award for awesomeness but it did it's job.
September 30, 2011
HERE is my all-time favorite Peretti novel!
Now, about thrillers... They have a very natural tendency to be extremely plot-driven. Granted, a good thriller requires a tight, unexpected plot in order to be a page-turner. A lot of thriller authors, however, construct this awesome, mind-blowing plot, but give little or not attention to the painting of their characters. Peretti handles this masterfully! He populates his exciting stories with characters that are rounded out with style and quirks.
Now, about thrillers... They have a very natural tendency to be extremely plot-driven. Granted, a good thriller requires a tight, unexpected plot in order to be a page-turner. A lot of thriller authors, however, construct this awesome, mind-blowing plot, but give little or not attention to the painting of their characters. Peretti handles this masterfully! He populates his exciting stories with characters that are rounded out with style and quirks.
June 7, 2024
The Visitation is a book that has lived rent-free in my head for close to twenty years. While the overarching plot has never faded from my memory, I was surprised to see how few of the details I actually remembered. I was also surprised that I remembered none of Travis’s flashbacks. However, while the present-day plot, the false messiah and the suspicious miracles and the small town tensions were perhaps more memorable, it’s those flashbacks that resonated the most with me this time around. Because there are so many reviews that discuss that present timeline in depth, I’m going to focus on the protagonist’s past as revealed through those flashbacks.
There’s a lot of raw, real, brutally honest discussion about the failings of churches, and how that highlights the brokenness of the Church herself. And yet Peretti showcases these things through a character who might have lost his faith in religion, but his relationship with Jesus stays intact. They know not to judge their Savior on the failings of the ones He died to save, and that’s refreshing in a world of deconstruction. We of course also see the opposite, those who have been wounded by the church and who blame God for every second of the pain. I loved that dichotomy. It was conveyed really well.
We are also shown the dangers of seeing “signs” and visions everywhere, of attributing to God messages and directives that He never sent. There’s a delicate balance between walking by faith and inventing your own indicators of God’s interaction. Speaking of balance, Peretti also does a wonderful job demonstrating the tension between believing that God still works miracles and feeling that you are owed one simply for holding that belief. There’s the burning question: can your faith in God survive when He doesn’t deliver the miracle for which you plead?
Some of descriptions of the more over-the-top religious scenes were uncomfortably close to some experiences I had in my youth. There is also discourse on the dangers of legalism, the lifeless counterpart to this kind of religious fervor. Peretti paints a painful picture of “Christians” so attached to their traditions and comfort that they’re actually threatened by growth and will go out of their way to snuff it out. And he doesn’t stop there. Throughout the book, Peretti runs the gamut of potential church bodies, and the strengths and failings of each. He shows us the fine line between a unified body of believers and a cult of personality. We are shown small churches and mega-churches, charismatic churches and conservative churches (as well as churches that are somehow both), intellectualism and anti-intellectualism and the inherent dangers of both. Most importantly, we see that those who try to pass themselves off as servants of Christ when they are the opposite will always be found out. False holiness and the bastardized “miracles” of the devil will always fall apart.
While I love and appreciate This Present Darkness and the impact it’s had on my worldview, it’s The Visitation that speaks to me the most deeply. I’d have to say that this is my favorite of Peretti’s books. It’s the most applicable and thought-provoking of his works, in my opinion, and I’m very glad I decided to reread it.
“As far as I could discern, God was not expected to move, speak, or convict—he was expected to follow the printed order of the service and keep quiet like everyone else.”
There’s a lot of raw, real, brutally honest discussion about the failings of churches, and how that highlights the brokenness of the Church herself. And yet Peretti showcases these things through a character who might have lost his faith in religion, but his relationship with Jesus stays intact. They know not to judge their Savior on the failings of the ones He died to save, and that’s refreshing in a world of deconstruction. We of course also see the opposite, those who have been wounded by the church and who blame God for every second of the pain. I loved that dichotomy. It was conveyed really well.
We are also shown the dangers of seeing “signs” and visions everywhere, of attributing to God messages and directives that He never sent. There’s a delicate balance between walking by faith and inventing your own indicators of God’s interaction. Speaking of balance, Peretti also does a wonderful job demonstrating the tension between believing that God still works miracles and feeling that you are owed one simply for holding that belief. There’s the burning question: can your faith in God survive when He doesn’t deliver the miracle for which you plead?
“I was saved, sanctified, born-again, and Spirit-filled, but Jesus and I were strangers.”
Some of descriptions of the more over-the-top religious scenes were uncomfortably close to some experiences I had in my youth. There is also discourse on the dangers of legalism, the lifeless counterpart to this kind of religious fervor. Peretti paints a painful picture of “Christians” so attached to their traditions and comfort that they’re actually threatened by growth and will go out of their way to snuff it out. And he doesn’t stop there. Throughout the book, Peretti runs the gamut of potential church bodies, and the strengths and failings of each. He shows us the fine line between a unified body of believers and a cult of personality. We are shown small churches and mega-churches, charismatic churches and conservative churches (as well as churches that are somehow both), intellectualism and anti-intellectualism and the inherent dangers of both. Most importantly, we see that those who try to pass themselves off as servants of Christ when they are the opposite will always be found out. False holiness and the bastardized “miracles” of the devil will always fall apart.
While I love and appreciate This Present Darkness and the impact it’s had on my worldview, it’s The Visitation that speaks to me the most deeply. I’d have to say that this is my favorite of Peretti’s books. It’s the most applicable and thought-provoking of his works, in my opinion, and I’m very glad I decided to reread it.
November 6, 2011
When I first picked up The Visitation, I had one question that I desperately wanted to know the answer to. How would Frank Peretti depict the man known as the Antichrist? Would he use biblical allusions or create a fictional character? These questions were clearly answered in the book.
The book takes place in the small sleepy town of Antioch, Washington. The last thing this town would ever expect is the supernatural. There are sightings of angles and messianic images, and a crucifix cries liquid that can heal any physical limitations. Above all, a self-proclaimed prophet appears claming to be Jesus. Nobody dares to face his transcendence. Except for one man named Travis Jordon.
Travis Jordon, the protagonist, is a burnt-out former pastor from Antioch. He has been trying to hide his past ever since the death of his wife. About one quarter of this book is about Travis’s past. Those parts are boring and hard to read because they seem irrelevant to the story. In reality they are really important. This is the only reason I demoted the book from five stars to four stars. It was like reading a book within a book.
Brandon Nichols, Antioch’s Messiah, is the antagonist in this book. He is self-proclaimed prophet claiming to be Jesus. He is the reason this book is so excellent. The chapters involving his preaching and performances of his supernatural abilities are exceptionally exciting. I also truly enjoy when he argues with Travis. This is Peretti’s version of Satan vs. God or good vs. evil. Brandon’s messed up mind fools with everybody else’s, converting them to his side. He tears away at peoples hearts but heals their physical limitations. He heals the outside but destroys the inside.
The book has deep religious overtones. Travis Jordon is a devout Christian and Brandon Nichols is proclaiming to be Jesus and wants to turn everyone away from God. Brandon challenges every spiritual assumption that Travis/all Christians have. This leads to citizens of Antioch turning away from God and fallowing Brandon.
Peretti spectacularly weaves together the background stories of Travis and Brandon. Throughout the book the theme of similarity between these two is very apparent. Travis says “My hunch is, he’s looking for some kind of sympathy, some kind of justification for what he’s doing. He thinks I’ll agree with him...He’s after me because he thinks we have something in common.” (197) One obvious similarity that they have in common is that they both believe in a man called Jesus. Travis believes in a Jesus that came down from Heaven acting as the scapegoat of the human race. Brandon believes he is a new and improved Jesus. The irony throughout this book is that the true attributes of Jesus shine through Travis like love, kindness, and patience. The opposite comes from Brandon like his hatred for everything/everyone and his attitude toward others. These twin stories come to a smashing conclusion in the end.
Travis’s relationship with Brandon is very much like Clarice Starling’s relationship with Dr. Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs. Even though they are opposites, they seem to understand each other. It is a very interesting and intriguing part of the story line.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Peretti’s writing is at times slow but at others times perfect. His choice of language throughout the story makes you believe that you are a human who lives in Antioch experiencing these supernatural events. He especially does a good job crafting Brandon into a possible Antichrist that we might see someday. Frank Peretti strongly shows his message to the reader on how faith and trust in God will prevail over evil, no matter the opponent. Interesting enough, The Visitationwas made into a movie in 2006.
The book takes place in the small sleepy town of Antioch, Washington. The last thing this town would ever expect is the supernatural. There are sightings of angles and messianic images, and a crucifix cries liquid that can heal any physical limitations. Above all, a self-proclaimed prophet appears claming to be Jesus. Nobody dares to face his transcendence. Except for one man named Travis Jordon.
Travis Jordon, the protagonist, is a burnt-out former pastor from Antioch. He has been trying to hide his past ever since the death of his wife. About one quarter of this book is about Travis’s past. Those parts are boring and hard to read because they seem irrelevant to the story. In reality they are really important. This is the only reason I demoted the book from five stars to four stars. It was like reading a book within a book.
Brandon Nichols, Antioch’s Messiah, is the antagonist in this book. He is self-proclaimed prophet claiming to be Jesus. He is the reason this book is so excellent. The chapters involving his preaching and performances of his supernatural abilities are exceptionally exciting. I also truly enjoy when he argues with Travis. This is Peretti’s version of Satan vs. God or good vs. evil. Brandon’s messed up mind fools with everybody else’s, converting them to his side. He tears away at peoples hearts but heals their physical limitations. He heals the outside but destroys the inside.
The book has deep religious overtones. Travis Jordon is a devout Christian and Brandon Nichols is proclaiming to be Jesus and wants to turn everyone away from God. Brandon challenges every spiritual assumption that Travis/all Christians have. This leads to citizens of Antioch turning away from God and fallowing Brandon.
Peretti spectacularly weaves together the background stories of Travis and Brandon. Throughout the book the theme of similarity between these two is very apparent. Travis says “My hunch is, he’s looking for some kind of sympathy, some kind of justification for what he’s doing. He thinks I’ll agree with him...He’s after me because he thinks we have something in common.” (197) One obvious similarity that they have in common is that they both believe in a man called Jesus. Travis believes in a Jesus that came down from Heaven acting as the scapegoat of the human race. Brandon believes he is a new and improved Jesus. The irony throughout this book is that the true attributes of Jesus shine through Travis like love, kindness, and patience. The opposite comes from Brandon like his hatred for everything/everyone and his attitude toward others. These twin stories come to a smashing conclusion in the end.
Travis’s relationship with Brandon is very much like Clarice Starling’s relationship with Dr. Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs. Even though they are opposites, they seem to understand each other. It is a very interesting and intriguing part of the story line.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Peretti’s writing is at times slow but at others times perfect. His choice of language throughout the story makes you believe that you are a human who lives in Antioch experiencing these supernatural events. He especially does a good job crafting Brandon into a possible Antichrist that we might see someday. Frank Peretti strongly shows his message to the reader on how faith and trust in God will prevail over evil, no matter the opponent. Interesting enough, The Visitationwas made into a movie in 2006.
March 28, 2015
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
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
June 5, 2022
I hadn't read a book by Peretti in awhile, and I was in the mood for something different. This definitely fit the bill. Read it in two days--couldn't put it down--and ended up in that groggy post-book daze that only happens when you've been completely sucked into a story. Peretti has Stephen King's gift of creating an oh-so-ordinary, easy-to-believe-in world, and then slipping in the supernatural. Chilling and fascinating.
February 11, 2020
I thought that this book was good
December 31, 2015
Rating 3.5
This was my third novel by Peretti. The other two I read was
and
which was fantastic reads. The Visitation was also a great read, but the build up was slower and the suspense/action for me was only really in the last 25%.
The writing for me was great. The story felt mainly like a drama, with some humor and suspense/thriller at the end of the book. As previously stated, the build up was slow, getting to know the various amount of characters and scenarios and churches explained in the book. Peretti did a great job of introducing all the characters and surroundings, but this added to the book starting out slow, but his books always builds up and ends with a bang as with this book. After the first 25% I couldn't put the book down and found devouring page after page to see what will happen. The flow between the first person and third person I felt was smoothly done - it was never confusing and didn't break my reading pace.
The story flows between two main plots. The current plot where Brandon Collins appears claiming to be the Messiah, while Kyle, the new minister, believes he is the Antichrist. For me this was a strong plot. Peretti clearly illustrated how people with so much hurt and pain will cling to any hope provided to them, even if it is false. Another thing which stood out is how we will really need to know the Bible and pray for discernment to be able to identity false prophets. As the story unfolds, you can clearly see from Brandon's fruit what the truth is. Brandon was believable and Peretti even did a great job in revealing Brandon's past that I even felt sorry for him. There was also some humorous moments of people coming to him with stupid requests, and it just shows what some people see as their miracle.
The other story was Travis Jordan's life story. I enjoyed getting to know Travis and to see how he grew as man, husband but above all, minister. It was great to see how he tried and failed and tried again and how he grew in his faith. We all gave a path to walk and not one is perfect, so it was great to see this demonstrated through Travis. I loved how he and Kyle could discern the truth and kept digging for answers until the truth came to light. I especially enjoyed the dinner between him and Morgen, where he talked about some of the people in his church, for me it was almost like it was a revelation for Travis about the fact that he did make a difference and how God was there every step of the way.
Another strong theme for me was how the church, represented by broken people, can hurt other believers, and sometimes in such a way that believers will turn away from God. How we sometimes get so focussed on church stuff that we forget about the people in the church.
This book kept me up late and made me think a lot! Another great delivery from Peretti.
This was my third novel by Peretti. The other two I read was
and
which was fantastic reads. The Visitation was also a great read, but the build up was slower and the suspense/action for me was only really in the last 25%.The writing for me was great. The story felt mainly like a drama, with some humor and suspense/thriller at the end of the book. As previously stated, the build up was slow, getting to know the various amount of characters and scenarios and churches explained in the book. Peretti did a great job of introducing all the characters and surroundings, but this added to the book starting out slow, but his books always builds up and ends with a bang as with this book. After the first 25% I couldn't put the book down and found devouring page after page to see what will happen. The flow between the first person and third person I felt was smoothly done - it was never confusing and didn't break my reading pace.
The story flows between two main plots. The current plot where Brandon Collins appears claiming to be the Messiah, while Kyle, the new minister, believes he is the Antichrist. For me this was a strong plot. Peretti clearly illustrated how people with so much hurt and pain will cling to any hope provided to them, even if it is false. Another thing which stood out is how we will really need to know the Bible and pray for discernment to be able to identity false prophets. As the story unfolds, you can clearly see from Brandon's fruit what the truth is. Brandon was believable and Peretti even did a great job in revealing Brandon's past that I even felt sorry for him. There was also some humorous moments of people coming to him with stupid requests, and it just shows what some people see as their miracle.
The other story was Travis Jordan's life story. I enjoyed getting to know Travis and to see how he grew as man, husband but above all, minister. It was great to see how he tried and failed and tried again and how he grew in his faith. We all gave a path to walk and not one is perfect, so it was great to see this demonstrated through Travis. I loved how he and Kyle could discern the truth and kept digging for answers until the truth came to light. I especially enjoyed the dinner between him and Morgen, where he talked about some of the people in his church, for me it was almost like it was a revelation for Travis about the fact that he did make a difference and how God was there every step of the way.
Another strong theme for me was how the church, represented by broken people, can hurt other believers, and sometimes in such a way that believers will turn away from God. How we sometimes get so focussed on church stuff that we forget about the people in the church.
This book kept me up late and made me think a lot! Another great delivery from Peretti.
April 21, 2010
"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.
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.
December 8, 2012
This book captivated me, not for the story itself, but for the flashbacks within the story.
Travis Jordan, the protagonist, is fed-up and disillusioned with church, despite-- or perhaps because of-- having been raised in the church his whole life and pastoring for 15 years. As he wades through tangled memories of his past, we see what has brought him to this point, and also come to realize that God is not done with him yet.
Having been through a ringer of church-experiences myself, I resonated with Travis's struggle.
Peretti takes on the topic of Christian Fellowship with clear-cut honesty, startling insight, and an unexpected depth of compassion. He reminds us exactly what the Church has become and still celebrates the fact that God works through all of us, as broken and confused as we are.
Travis Jordan, the protagonist, is fed-up and disillusioned with church, despite-- or perhaps because of-- having been raised in the church his whole life and pastoring for 15 years. As he wades through tangled memories of his past, we see what has brought him to this point, and also come to realize that God is not done with him yet.
Having been through a ringer of church-experiences myself, I resonated with Travis's struggle.
Peretti takes on the topic of Christian Fellowship with clear-cut honesty, startling insight, and an unexpected depth of compassion. He reminds us exactly what the Church has become and still celebrates the fact that God works through all of us, as broken and confused as we are.
December 30, 2017
This book caught my interest at the start of reading it. And though it did keep my interest well all the way through it, there were times when I would get a little bored. ....It’s about a fake messiah and how much trouble a fake messiah can bring you, especially this one. I don’t think these people in the book must have read their bibles much or knew it well, because the bible says if someone comes and says Jesus is here or there not to believe them or go to find out. And most of them did. But I will let you read about all that if you read the book. It was a good book. Not a great book. But worth reading. I gave it 3 stars because of that. It kept my interest with some boredom here and there, but as you keep reading through it, it gets better, especially towards the end.
August 28, 2017
Extraordinary novel, in which the description of Christian life in America seemed to overshadow the actual supernatural plot, until you discover that they merge beautifully in the end. With this novel, I can put Frank Peretti next to C.S. Lewis and William Peter Blatty in my personal list of Christian authors, who left deep impression to me with their books.
Review in Bulgarian here:
http://citadelata.com/the-visitation/
Review in Bulgarian here:
http://citadelata.com/the-visitation/
January 30, 2020
This was terrific; I read it in high school and was curious to see if I'd still love it. I stand by my original 4 star rating - the writing is great and the story is very engrossing. By the last few chapters I couldn't put it down.
December 11, 2008
A story of intrigue in this day an age with so many false teachers and preachers.
An absolute must read.
An absolute must read.
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 26, 2022Not currently in the mood for this one.
But will definitely come back to it.
But will definitely come back to it.
November 10, 2024
Not bad! Reminded me of a Stephen King novel but without the language.
March 3, 2022
Apart from his This Present Darkness series, The Visitation is Peretti's best work of Christian fiction. Beyond the sheer entertainment value of the book, unforgettable spiritual illuminations are seeping through the storyline.
October 13, 2010
Before I dive in I think its only fair to say that a big part of why I could enjoy this book so much was that I could relate so easily to the main character. Being a "preacher's kid" myself, I've struggled with the same spiritual/mental/moral dilemmas as Travis Jordan seems to be going through, and of course its being able to relate to a book that makes it really resonate with you.
With that in mind I have to applaud the fact that Peretti is a "Christian author" who can actually write: so many books seem to sell only because they're branded as Christian, and for some reasons Christians feel obligated to buy them. This one was different. The story was well thought out, detailed, and carried itself quite well.
Sometimes to me the flashbacks could be a little tedious. The main point of them was always important, but I felt like some of the details could have been spared during those parts. It wasn't so tiresome that it wore me out and made me tired of reading, but it could be a little bit annoying.
He's also an author that tends to use his favorite words alot, something most people wouldn't notice but I find word choice so important. For example he uses "peruse", or "qualified" instead of "clarified". These are only tiny little irritants though, and overall I found it his writing solid and smooth.
Who doesn't enjoy a book about occultism and devilish mad men? But I guess to some extent you have to be familiar with religion for the book to work its full effect since ts built around the churchier ideas of demonic possession, false prophets, and religion vs. relationship.
So in summary, a really good read, but probably not for everyone. I personally enjoyed it quite a bit, but be aware of the subject matter before you read it and decide to cast judgement.
People dissapointed with the ending should bear in mind that the climax was Travis finally finding his peace with God, much more than the fate of the mysterious false Jesus.
With that in mind I have to applaud the fact that Peretti is a "Christian author" who can actually write: so many books seem to sell only because they're branded as Christian, and for some reasons Christians feel obligated to buy them. This one was different. The story was well thought out, detailed, and carried itself quite well.
Sometimes to me the flashbacks could be a little tedious. The main point of them was always important, but I felt like some of the details could have been spared during those parts. It wasn't so tiresome that it wore me out and made me tired of reading, but it could be a little bit annoying.
He's also an author that tends to use his favorite words alot, something most people wouldn't notice but I find word choice so important. For example he uses "peruse", or "qualified" instead of "clarified". These are only tiny little irritants though, and overall I found it his writing solid and smooth.
Who doesn't enjoy a book about occultism and devilish mad men? But I guess to some extent you have to be familiar with religion for the book to work its full effect since ts built around the churchier ideas of demonic possession, false prophets, and religion vs. relationship.
So in summary, a really good read, but probably not for everyone. I personally enjoyed it quite a bit, but be aware of the subject matter before you read it and decide to cast judgement.
People dissapointed with the ending should bear in mind that the climax was Travis finally finding his peace with God, much more than the fate of the mysterious false Jesus.
March 4, 2014
BY FAR my favorite book by Peretti!!! Every time I read this book, I get something new out of it! It is fast paced, creative, thrilling, scary, and beautiful all at the same time.
- Minimal Spoilers Ahead -
This is not as much a book about a young man claiming to be Jesus, as it is about a middle aged man who has been run through the ringer of ministry, and lost everything. If you only get a false prophet, "end times" theme from this book, then I think you may be missing the point.
I relate so completely to Travis! His experiences and walk with God so completely mirrored my own it was almost scary. So when I first read this book I loved it because I felt like there was finally someone who understood the injustices and weirdness that goes on in ministry.
After the 10th time I read this book, it was no longer about feeling understood. I was able to see that this story is really a journey of how Travis finds healing. His relationship with Jesus is deeper, and more real because of what he endured! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why this is my favorite Peretti book! Not because it is super-natural or spooky, but because it is a detailed illustration of what so many people have gone through, and it gives us hope that there can be healing at the end of it!
And as a side note, I do want to say that Travis' love story, is one of the sweetest written love stories I have read. Very personal, very intimate and so much like the one I share with my dear husband. Beautifully written!
I highly recommend this book!
- Minimal Spoilers Ahead -
This is not as much a book about a young man claiming to be Jesus, as it is about a middle aged man who has been run through the ringer of ministry, and lost everything. If you only get a false prophet, "end times" theme from this book, then I think you may be missing the point.
I relate so completely to Travis! His experiences and walk with God so completely mirrored my own it was almost scary. So when I first read this book I loved it because I felt like there was finally someone who understood the injustices and weirdness that goes on in ministry.
After the 10th time I read this book, it was no longer about feeling understood. I was able to see that this story is really a journey of how Travis finds healing. His relationship with Jesus is deeper, and more real because of what he endured! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why this is my favorite Peretti book! Not because it is super-natural or spooky, but because it is a detailed illustration of what so many people have gone through, and it gives us hope that there can be healing at the end of it!
And as a side note, I do want to say that Travis' love story, is one of the sweetest written love stories I have read. Very personal, very intimate and so much like the one I share with my dear husband. Beautifully written!
I highly recommend this book!
September 9, 2016
I can't review a Peretti novel without dragging out my dusty copy of his last book and giving you a quick rundown.
The Visitation happens in a little eastern Washington town called Antioch, where nothing ever happens. Overnight, it became the centre of the supernatural - with sighting of angels, messianic images in the sky and a weeping crucifix that heals.
But that's only the beginning. A self-proclaimed prophet appears at a local ranch and the people of Antioch accepted him as the Messiah of the second coming of Christ.
This turned out to be very good for Antioch when the visitation gives the town a booming industry in religious tourism. Everyone is happy but for one Travis Jordan, a burnt-out former pastor who came to Antioch to run away from his past. What happened to Antioch made Travis confront his past and work on uncovering the truth behind what is going happening.
Now the trap behind Christian thrillers, supernatural or not, is that someone out there will decry the entire thing as misleading and dangerously speculative. That's why it's called 'fiction', duh. If books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code or Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins's Left Behind series poses a threat to your faith, then my warning label for this week is to stick to the non-fiction works that inspired novels of this genre.
(2005)
The Visitation happens in a little eastern Washington town called Antioch, where nothing ever happens. Overnight, it became the centre of the supernatural - with sighting of angels, messianic images in the sky and a weeping crucifix that heals.
But that's only the beginning. A self-proclaimed prophet appears at a local ranch and the people of Antioch accepted him as the Messiah of the second coming of Christ.
This turned out to be very good for Antioch when the visitation gives the town a booming industry in religious tourism. Everyone is happy but for one Travis Jordan, a burnt-out former pastor who came to Antioch to run away from his past. What happened to Antioch made Travis confront his past and work on uncovering the truth behind what is going happening.
Now the trap behind Christian thrillers, supernatural or not, is that someone out there will decry the entire thing as misleading and dangerously speculative. That's why it's called 'fiction', duh. If books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code or Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins's Left Behind series poses a threat to your faith, then my warning label for this week is to stick to the non-fiction works that inspired novels of this genre.
(2005)
June 12, 2009
I loved this book, and I think the one thing I loved most was how it evoked such a response from me. As the main character describes all the hypocritical people he's encountered, most especially in the church, I could relate so well, that as I was reading it I felt SO FRUSTRATED. Frank Peretti writes well, and he makes it feel real. The entire plot was very good as well, and i would totally recomend this book.
September 24, 2019
PRE-READ
I bought this book when I was 12, 13 years old at the advice of my mother because she thought it looked cool. I have to say this before I officially start it, I am agnostic borderline atheist, I am pro-choice and I am a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
But despite all this, I want to give this book a shot.
Edit 2019: I officially came out as bi/panromantic around the time I read this book.
I bought this book when I was 12, 13 years old at the advice of my mother because she thought it looked cool. I have to say this before I officially start it, I am agnostic borderline atheist, I am pro-choice and I am a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
But despite all this, I want to give this book a shot.
Edit 2019: I officially came out as bi/panromantic around the time I read this book.
September 14, 2013
This is a provocative story. Peretti deals with how misapplication of Christian teachings can damage some people so much that they become completely warped.
He also really explores our desire for a Messiah we can see and hear and touch and how easily people can be led astray just because they want to believe something wonderful.
Like many of Peretti's stories, it is genuinely thought-provoking and will leave you exploring how you live out your own faith--if you are a Christian.
He also really explores our desire for a Messiah we can see and hear and touch and how easily people can be led astray just because they want to believe something wonderful.
Like many of Peretti's stories, it is genuinely thought-provoking and will leave you exploring how you live out your own faith--if you are a Christian.
October 7, 2016
i had always been too bored to read the introduction but this time i read the introduction and it made me laugh a lot. i loved this book as a child. i truly loved [read: hated that the villain was an religious abuse survivor who didn't have a good enough attitude about christ after his preacher dad literally nailed him to a fence. my favorite part is probably when there are worms in the bread that he was throwing. thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2016
I always enjoy Frank Peretti's books. "I never believe anything just because a big-named Christian leader says it. I never do anything I don't want to do just because a pastor, presuming to be the voice of God tries to coerce me with guilt or threats. I no longer respond to visions God gives to others about what I should or should not do, think, or be."
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