Sometimes bad literature can be so bad, it’s good.
Like V.C. Andrews books-NOT the original ones, which were very dark and mysterious and thrilling, but the ones where the ghostwriter took over. Yeah, they’re predictable and trite and sappy now, but they’re fun reading. Beach reads, so to speak.
What I don’t understand is why they didn’t offset the film’s disasterous box office performance through product placements, think about the possibilities. Good Christians are all drinking pepsi when they get raptured, Ford cars are suddenly out of control, people vanish from a Delta Airliner, etc…
I just realised that this is a good opportunity to post the following messages from the messageboard at the movie’s official site:
That’s right, people. Every true Christian on the planet has heard of “Left Behind”, and anybody who hasn’t heard of it is under the influence of Satan. Also, despite the fact that it’s a lousy movie that was a dismal flop, every theatre in existence should have shown it, and anybody who didn’t show it is lying to you.
But it has Kirk Cameron and Chelsie Noble (who the hell are these people anyway?), so it has to be good.
He’s best known for playing Mike Seaver on Growing Pains, and she’s best known for, well, playing Mike Seaver’s girlfriend on Growing Pains, I guess.
Only the best for Cloud Ten Pictures. :rolleyes:
goboy, my darlin’ – you’re an optimist. I worked at a bookstore last year and many of the biggest Left Behind fans proudly admitted to reading only Christian books. Several (at least three that I can think of offhand) told me that they hadn’t read anything other than the bible for years before becoming hooked on Left Behind. I don’t recall any Left Behind customers ever coming in and saying, “Gee, I enjoyed these books so much, can you recommend something else?” This is in contrast to, say, the Harry Potter books. We got several people in every week looking for something to hold brand-new readers until the next Harry book is released.
Personally, I haven’t read any of the books yet, so I won’t comment on their quality. However, they certainly don’t seem to be “leading souls to reading.” Unfortunately.
Jess (who bought a used copy of Left Behind at a garage sale on the way home from her most recent DopeFest and who will soon be ready, willing and able to comment upon the quality of the book)
Krispy Original said:
“Bone up on sarcasm and mockery and get back with me”>
Oh yes, Mr. Original Requires that we [b/improve** our OP’s.
Lets ALL work harder to help his “enjoyment” of this board…
(how was that for sarcasm Kris?)
'zactly. Sometimes you need a quick and easy read.
Great literature, they ain’t.
But I read them. They’re okay, but you need to remember that they are the author’s fictionalized interpretation of events that may happen sometime in the future.
And as Jess pointed out, I don’t think these books are leading any fundies to other types of books. The rabid Bible-only-reading fundies aren’t suddenly discovering there is a world of books for their reading pleasure. The ones who like to read are sticking with Christian fiction. The others are sticking with their Jack Chick tracts.
I have heard that a prime-time drama on PAX-TV is in the works for this fall.
Well, personally, I’ve always been able to pick out my own books. It’s a talent that comes in handy when the people who work at your local bookstore are too “busy” to be of any help.
And not all Christians are raving Left Behind fans. This thread at the Pizza Parlor as proof.
I know I am going to regret this BUT–
I read the LB books faithfully. I saw the movie (and didn’t like it at all.) Not only that, but I buy the hardback books the day they come out and finish them before I turn the light out that night.
I know it is fiction. I get very engrossed in them. But I also read other things the same way. I read Amy Tan’s books as soon as they come out too. But then again, Amy Tan probably doesn’t make anyone question whether or not he or she is living the right way so there are no “Amy Tan novels are taking over the earth” threads.
Funny thing about free choice-- most bookstores do not have armed people who will force you to examine a table full of any type of media. For example, I do not enjoy comic books or graphic novels or whatever they are called and wouldn’t waste my time looking at any kind of display of them. I might add that I also wouldn’t start a thread making fun of people who did like them. Oh well.
He is risen. He is risen indeed. (LB reference there…deal with it)
I’ve seen them in Greyhound Bus station gift shops.
They’re also in the Los Angeles Public Library (I just searched their catalog.) So it is possible to read one without giving money to the writers and publishers.
Not only that-they’re like Michael J. Fox and Tracey Pollen-they’re married.
Frankly, ** Lil Lurker **, I doubt that the LB books are making anyone “question the way they live their lives,” except perhaps to make them ask, “Why am I wasting my time on crap like this?” Seems that people who like them are already believers, and people who aren’t believers are using them as alternative fuel sources. Also, try to remember that “people who don’t like what I like” doesn’t equal “people who don’t like me.” They’re just books. Don’t take it personally.
Since when is that an LB reference? (Instead of, well, just a generic greeting and response used in the church at large and especially on Easter?)
It is especially used in the Eastern Rite Churches. “Christ is Risen!” the first person will say, as an Easter greeting. The next person responds saying, “He is Indeed Risen!”
The daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, when they were separated briefly being transported between prisons (Maria went with her parents, Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia stayed behind with their brother Alexei), greeted each other like this in a letter.
Deal with THAT.
my apologies if someone mentioned this before…
anyway, i work at a bookstore. what do i see this morning when i walked it? an email from my district manager announcing the street dates (as of last week) of the next 4 LB books.
10/30/01–desecration
06/04/02–armageddon
06/03/03–left standing
06/01/04–glorious appearing
so…only a little more than 3 years till it’s over…
unless the writers eat it before then…but the next 4 novels are probably written already…
Oy Vey
Actually, Nimune, I don’t give a rip who likes the books and who doesn’t. I like 'em and I am glad to see them everywhere, including the best-seller lists. I did take issue with the joking around about what will happen to us when the rapture occurs, but I expect that around here.
And thanks for the history lesson, Guinastasia. I knew that the expression “He is risen, he is risen indeed” is not an exclusive LB reference. But those who have read all the books know what I meant by it. No big deal tho.