Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (1995)
Author: Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins
Genre: Science Fiction (Apocalyptic)/Christian
Plot Summary:
Airline Captain Rayford Steele and Flight Attendant Hattie Durham are shocked when many of their passengers suddenly vanish during a flight to London. Forced to turn the plane around, Steele makes a landing in Chicago. Rayford soon discovers that his wife and young son have vanished from their home as well. Also on that flight is famous journalist "Buck" Williams, who starts to investigate the mysterious circumstances behind the disappearances. Rayford and his daugher Cloe find their way to the New Hope church, where they learn that they have been left behind after the rapture. Buck's investigation brings him face to face with Nicolae Carpathian, a Romanian politician who soon takes the world by storm.SPOILER: In the end, it is revealed that Carpathian is the Antichrist, and Rayford, Cloe, and Buck form the Tribulation Force to oppose him.
Geographical Setting: Chicago; New York; London
Time Period: the day after tomorrow (very near future)
Series: Left Behind Series (Book 1)
Appeal Characteristics:
This novel is a page turner, keeping the reader wondering what will happen next. It's apocalyptic setting, which combines tragedy with political intrigue, is sure to keep readers interested. It's Christian perspective will appeal to those who want to read speculation about what may happen in the future. There are many characters in the novel, whose paths intersect in interesting ways. The writing is concise, focusing mainly on action, dialogue, and internal thoughts of the characters, with little description or expository text.
Read-alikes: Readers interested in continuing the story of Rayford and the others "left behind" as they attempt to resist the rise of the Antichrist can try the next title in the series, Tribulation Force. Also, the same authors have written a prequel series to the events that take place in Left Behind, beginning with The Rising, which details the origins of the characters. For readers seeking a different adventure story told with a Christian perspective, suggest Bill Myers' Eli, a story about a TV journalist thrown into an alternative universe in which Christ appears for the first time. Another title that appeals to readers of Left Behind and End Times fiction, is Michael R. Phillips' Rift in Time, a highly rated title that begins the Rift in Time series, a story of the recovery of Noah's Ark in modern times and an evil conspiracy. Another title very similar to Left Behind about the rise of the Antichrist and the End Times in the near future is Seal of Gaia, by Marlin Maddoux. Finally, readers interested in an adventure tale with a Christian influence should try Black, the first in the Circle series by Ted Dekkar. In Black readers are introduced to Thomas Hunter, a man trapped between two worlds.
Red Flags: Murder, Traumatic events (loss of loved ones), Airline disaster
Tribulation Force (1996)
Author: Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
Genre (and subgenre): Science Fiction (Christian/Apocalyptic)
Plot Summary:
Tribulation Force is the continuing story of Buck, Chloe, Rayford and Bruce, it is also the name they call their group that is surviving the post-Rapture period. The second in the Left Behind series details the rise of Nicolae Carpathia to his powerful position in this new world over the course of the first 18 months after all the Christian believers are taken to Heaven. Chloe and Buck’s relationship has its’ ups and downs, but inevitably gets closer. Meanwhile, Buck and Rayford find themselves both having to endure separate meetings with the Anti-Christ that will inevitably shape their futures and that of those around them. Carpathia works towards a one-world religion and a peace treaty with Israel, as well as moving the UN headquarters to New Babylonia, located in the desert in Iraq. There is also the arrival of two older prophet-like men at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem who can breathe fire and who preach the Word of God to the World. The end of the book finds Buck witnessing the Anti-Christ’s control of the world media (much to his journalistic integrity’s chagrin) and engaged to Chloe, Rayford engaged to a woman he met in Bruce’s church and being the pilot for Carpathia and Bruce traveling the world to help plant church cells. But at the last minute it becomes clear that this may be the “best” their lives get for quite some time as the first of many plagues arrives.
Geographical Setting: Primarily Chicago, but also Israel and New York City
Time Period: Modern Day
Series: Left Behind, book two
Appeal Characteristics: Fast-paced, decent character development, varied locations, political intrigue, world politics, United Nations
Red Flags: none
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