Emily is Smiling

I started out the Left Behind series with the kid books when I was nine years old.  Ever since then, I've adored the books.  I've read the original Left Behind several times and read it again recently, so I thought I would go ahead and review it on here. :)

Summary-
In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear.  Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control.  People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes.  In the midst of global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth.  As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead.

What I Liked-
There aren't many fiction novels about the rapture that I know of, but the few I've read seem more wacky than realistic.  Left Behind lets you see from the eyes of its characters.  You feel their terror and sadness and emotions.  You feel redemption when they become Christians.  You mourn for their families.  LB doesn't feel futuristic like a lot of rapture books do either.  It was written in 1999, but it could easily fit into today's world.  I love how I can still relate to LB's characters, even a decade after the book has been written. 

I love the way the scenes switch from character to character.  Rayford Steele seems to be the main character, but the reader also reads from perspectives of Chloe and Buck.  The switching scenes add momentum to the story. 

The rapture is a mystery to so many people.  While it must be remembered that Left Behind is fiction and written by men, the book casts light on the book of Revelation and adds interesting perspectives onto confusing and mysterious verses.  It has also encouraged many people to further study Revelation and prophesies from the Old Testament and end times.

I love how Left Behind has drawn attention to the fact that if the rapture occurred today, you might be left behind.

LB captures the attention of many age groups.  Rayford is in his forties, Buck is in his 30s, and Chloe is in her 20s.  Teens can read the kid series, where the characters are aged twelve to sixteen.  These varying age groups help most readers to be able to relate to a main character in the book and further immerse themselves into the story.  

What I Didn't Like-
I wish that the authors would have added more direct Bible verse locations in the story instead of vague references.  I would think, "Oh, I know that verse... but where is it so I can look it up myself?"  It would be nice if they had a Bible reference section in the back. 

At times, the old technology is distracting when they talk about old VHS tapes and cable and dial up internet.  It would be nice if Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins made some minor editing and created a more modern version by fixing those few old references.

What I Learned-
Readers need to remember that LB is fiction and the way the rapture is portrayed in this book is the way Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins see it.  However, LB gave me many ideas about the rapture.  It's a very thought-provoking novel. 

I Recommend This For-
Anyone 13+.  Young children might be frightened about the serious subject, but it's a great book for Christians and non-Christians alike.  It involves romance, action, and Jesus, so just about anyone should enjoy something about this book.