Awful Christian fiction - most of it!

I love it that I found this group and am going back through my library tonight to tag the really awful books that I've read. And without a doubt, much Christian fiction is poorly written drivel.

Starting with Tim Lahaye's Left Behind series. The first 3 books were almost okay. Then the series took a nose-dive. Did Lahaye and Jenkin's publisher not bother to edit the books? The entire series could have been edited to get rid of the dross and the 20-some variations of the same lectures, keeping only the pieces that actually approached mediocre, polished a bit (well, a LOT), and the series could have been reduced to 4 or 5 almost-good to good books.

House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker also falls into the category of "why did I read this?" The pacing was interminably slow. The characters were one-dimensional, boring, immature, dim-witted, and just plain dull. The book was supposed to be a horror novel, and some of the happenings inside the house were very reminiscent of the old television series "Dark Shadows." But in this novel, there was no horror, no terror, no reason for the reader to be afraid of things that go bump in the night - the "monsters" just weren't real enough to be frightening. And since the characters were impossible to care about, their fear never came off the page and grabbed me.

I was raised in a fundamental church but if you look at my library you can see I'll read just about anything. All I ask is that the book be well-written, the characters be people who have a reason to be on that page and in my head, and for the author to give me a reason to suspend my disbelief. I've just about given up on Christian fiction because too often it's flat, one-dimensional, predictable, cliched, and just dull.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

In the few and brief times I've spent exposed to the products of the evangelical culture industry, it reminded me of fakin', the soy alternative to bacon marketed to vegetarians.

You aren't fooling anyone. It's not bacon. It's not even bad bacon. And it's strange because you have the entire earth's bounty to play with and you have your own worthwhile cuisine. So, uh, why not stick to what you know?

(A caveat; one very, very weird caveat... the Christian Black Metal band Mortification is actually pretty good, if you like that sort of thing.)

I'm not sure how you categorize fiction as "Christian", but if you haven't read Jan Karon's Mitford series, you might give them a try. The main character is an Episcopal priest, and so Christianity figures pretty prominently in the stories, but in a good way. There's no preaching, and the characters are well-drawn. I have no patience with evangelism, so I can assure you these books don't go that route.

I'm with post #3, it depends on what you categorize as "Christian" fiction. Those books, like the Left Behind series, that are primarily aimed at evangelism or pushing a particular version of Christian worldview, are largely dreck. However, certain Christian authors whose works contain characters that have Christian beliefs can be very good.

Andrew M. Greeley is a Roman Catholic priest who has authored some very strong novels that have religious/clergy/Christian characters. They are not dogmatic or evangelistic, just well-written novels that have faith in the narrative mix.

I read the first few chapters of the first Left Behind book on a dare from my mother-in-law. It was so bad I couldn't imagine continuing.

I think that literature is generally pretty weak when it tries to push an overly simplistic worldview, religious or not. I would find it disappointing to read a book that ends with everything wrapped up tight with an answer like, "I learned that by recognizing His love I can overcome anything. All conflict in my life is hereby resolved!"

I think that literature in service of a cause other than literature tends to be not very good. Obviously, there are exceptions, but in the case of the exceptions the author understand a responsibility to be create something worthwhile and true.

I've read a wee bit of Christian fiction myself.

One terrible bit of nonsense is Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers. Words fail me. I was attending church at the time and felt I 'had' to read only Christian things. Thank goodness that feeling has passed. Sure as the Dawn felt to me like a Harlequin without the sex...just as horrible, only a bit more boring perhaps. ~snicker~

However, I really loved, and still do both 'The Zion Chronicles' and 'The Zion Covenant' by Bodie Thoene. (Vienna Prelude and so forth). They were moving, historically interesting and well written.

eta - a few words that ran away

Since I am NOT a Christian, you might want to take this recommendation with a grain of salt -- but I just discovered author Tim Downs this summer, and he is one of the most gifted mystery/thriller writers I've ever read (and I read about 3 books a week!). It was only after I finished the first book of his I read that I noticed a little tag on the back of the jacket that said "Christian fiction." I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was particularly Christian about the book (First the Dead, the third book in Downs' "Bug Man" series about forensic entomologist Nick Polchak). Then I went through it again and discovered that there was no illicit sex and no profanities -- and you know what, not only did I not miss those elements, but I was so absorbed in the fast-paced story that I hadn't even noticed their absence. Nor did the lack of four-letter obscenities take away from the versimilitude of the story.

As an interesting addendum, one of the guidance counselors where I teach has actually met Mr. Downs, since she is a devout Christian herself, and he does a lecture tour on Christian family life.

Anyway, I hope my suggestion sparks your interest -- Downs is a great writer.

I freely admit that as a former Christian I'm prob not the best to comment on this (lot's of emotion regarding the change) - however I'm willing to read fairly widely and have for a long time, the last Christian book I really enjoyed (and then that was for other reasons) was Great Deliverances by Glynn Mills (I think this is the one - I was given a copy by my g/mother so the dates look about right for what I remember of it - it's in a box somewhere). It's actually surprising I like this consider it was my g/mother who told me that reading too much was 'a sin'

Tried C.S. Lewis (Narnia & Perelanda)- simplistic, tried Christy - so 'nice', I don't mind G.K. Chesterton but I consider him for more short stories than a full length book.

I tend to enjoy complex literature, but wanted to read Christian fiction. Too much of Christian fiction has been overly simplistic in its writing style, but I believe with its continually growing popularity, that it is now starting to improve. The most recent author who I have read and really enjoyed is Lynn Austin and I would recommend her over any others. I have read Jan Karon and while charming at times, her books can be a bit dull. I have also read and enjoyed Dee Henderson for those searching for male characters in Christian fiction.

#9 - it was my g/mother who told me that reading too much was 'a sin'
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Say what? What were her reasons for that?

I read some of the really awful Christian books for children from my church library when I was young, but for years I really loved the Chronicles of Narnia--even as an adult. Don't think I've ever read any adult Christian novels, unless you count Gilead.

I found (as a kid growing up only allowed to listen to musicals or christian music) that the Christian industry is largely about quantity and not about quality. As long as the product is "on message" they'll produce it despite evidence of it's mediocrity. And a lot of Christians will buy it. From what I could tell at the time it was because some (not all) are so afraid of the Secular World, they feel so out of place, they'll take anything that gives credence to their beliefs because it makes them feel safe. I was on a mission trip and was chided for listening to 'secular' music (Jesus Christ Superstar, of all things, I thought I it was safe, you know - because it was about Jesus)on my personal cd walkman with headphones. They took it away and I was stuck listening to Michael W. Smith for the rest of the trip who, I think, is really just a born again George Michael.

I'm not a christian now (and don't know if I ever really was) but I didn't find any books that were espoused as christian, to be to my liking. My parents gave my the Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard when I was a kid, and I read that - mainly because my name is Amanda. I actually liked those books a lot but am not sure if as an adult they would hold up or if I just look back on them fondly because of nostalgia. There are a couple of bands that I still listen to because they were really really good despite the fact that I've run as far away from the flock as possible.

It wasn't until I went secular that I found christian work that stood on its own merit. Thomas Kincaid and his world seen through a blur of halos doesn't really cut it out here.

I'm in full agreement with gregtmills. Literature that simply serves as a vehicle to espouse ones philosophy is usually rather hollow once you look at it critically. Which is why I am not fond of George Bernard Shaws plays and while interesting - you don't HAVE to read both Atlas Shrugged AND The Fountainhead - they're basically the same book promoting Ayn Rand's objectivism. It's got to be about the story, the people and their experiences and how they deal with them - and if you do your job right as a writer, their ideals and values will come across without you getting on your soap box.

I got on that kick too. What I found is that "christian" labeled fiction is incredibly depressing. I read to escape, I already got problems that take faith to resolve!

Everyone's heard of the Chronicles of Narnia (right? right?), but C.S Lewis wrote other Christian fiction, too.

I haven't read anything other than the Narnia books, so I can't recommend, but The Great Divorce and Till We Have Faces sound interesting.

I share your frustration!

I'm reading Tolstoy's Resurrection right now. It has strong Christian themes, but is great so far. Tolstoy actually has Christian themes running through a lot of his work.

9 and 11: My son was reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in a classroom in Egypt after finishing a test, and the heavily veiled woman (wore those face covering things, which is not the norm in Egypt) grabbed the book from him and threw it out the window saying that it was Haraam (sinful/forbidden.)

That same son, though not Christian (we are Muslim), enjoyed a series about dragons, and I can't remember the woman's name who wrote it, Pearson or something - they were definitely Christian but he liked them anyhow. Of course he also liked HIs Dark Materials which is atheist. He's an open-minded kid.

I know the Narnia books are Christian but I don't think most kids who read them young enough pick that up. I didn't, and though my kids were vaguely aware of it because I told them, they didn't really pick up on it either. They just thought they were good stories.

So to sum up - the only readable Christian books are the ones that don't try to stuff the Christianity down your throat and are kind of subtle about it.

>Anna_in_pdx:

Last year or so, I read an essay which points out that the Lord of the Rings is a Christian apologia in pagan trappings. I hadn't spotted it when I read them as a twelve year old, nor did I when I reread the books in my late twenties. But there are undeniable themes of resurrection and purity made through sacrifice. Tolkien set out to create a Northern European-saga with Christian themes

14: Of his non-Narnia fiction, Lewis' The Screwtape Letters is a favorite of mine. I haven't read it in a few years, but I recall finding it hysterical. I also recommend The Great Divorce, but do know that it never lets you forget that it's a platform for some of Lewis' theological ideas, so the story itself is rather flimsy.

16

I love how open minded your son is...reading is definitely what made me open minded. I'm from the middle of no-where Kansas where open mindedness doesn't exist!

I also agree about the Narnia books. My mom, sisters and I went to the movie together and Mother asked during the previews why it was considered Christian. She had read them as a child and missed it. I did too. At the end of the movie she told me she understands the connection. Narnia is probably the best example of how age really can make a difference.

17: Tolkien himself admits that surely author experience and upbringing is reflected in the book, but that he did not intend it to be any sort of allegory. It's one of the more memorable sentences of any introduction I've ever read -
"I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of the readers. I think that many confuse 'applicability' with 'allegory'; but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author."

As a dedicated Christian, I have to admit you're right. Most of the stuff produced today, especially the fifteenth gazillion "Christian romance" series, is such bad writing I refuse to read it, and basically have a Christian name painted on.
However, I must say that there are exceptions, especially Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings, as was mentioned. But, as a Christian, I can get more out of the truths in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Moby Dick, than I could in the majority of modern Christian literature.

I'm a Christian and rather proud of it. I tried to get into christian fiction but often times I feel as if the plot is only a vehicle for the message. Generally I can only enjoy the historical fiction, different retellings of Bible stories or of christians in the early days. My favorite of these is the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers.

My mother loves the Mitford series but I didn't have the patience for it. That may just be general literary taste though. I don't like books that are too close to life because reading is a form of escapism.

I don't follow Christian fiction, but do follow LoTR, and am puzzled why it could be considered Christian, but Harry Potter is considered Satanic. I concur with anna (>20 anna_in_pdx:) re Tolkien's take on allegory (how could one not, it's in black and white, but I too was taken with it) and also LHL (>21 LongHairLady:) on the Truth to be found in Moby-Dick (Melville tended to use the initial cap).

Christian or not, I am also puzzled why these appear under Awful Lit. Awful they are not. Let's hear more about really awful lit!

I agree with BountyHuntress16, the Mark of the Lion trilogy is my favorite out of all the Christian fiction I've ever read.

Susan Howatch's STARBRIDGE series is excellent. She writes of four Anglican clergymen and their families from 1939 through the end of the 20th century. Her fiction is literate,thought-provoking and very interesting. My partner is an Episcopal priest and is what I refer to as the "color" commentator to flesh out when want more information. Give Susan Howatch a look!