Thumb Rating: 3 Thumbs Up
Language: None reported
Violence: Mild, several instances of street violence/beatings, frequent attacks between angels and demons
Immorality: None
Scary Themes: Heavy, multiple instances of demons stalking/spying on individuals, demonic possession/influence,
A town enshrouded in a mist of conspiracy and lies. Underneath the veneer of idyllic innocence, a war rages. Not in a battle for land or power, but a war for the souls of men. Vigilant angels and malevolent demons fight for supremacy, while a Pastor finds himself embroiled in a terrifying conspiracy. Welcome to the world of “This Present Darkness”!
This was a book released in 1998, and it was a novel that changed the entire world of faith fiction, and it changed my world as well. I ended up reading this book as a recommendation from my Mom. My Mom and I have shared a love for books since I was little. I have always been always been able to ask my Mom and she has always been able to point me to a great new author. Because of her I started reading Ted Dekker, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Man In The Iron Mask, to name a few. Even though I’m grown now, I still ask her for a good book, and she still points me to great reads. (I’m so blessed)
I enjoy stories with a supernatural twist. Partly because deep down, I’ve always understood our reality is not all that exists. People often malign growing up in a conservative home, complaining about the lack of imagination. I can’t identify with that. Growing up, I would hear stories of angels visiting people, and conversely, of demons that afflicted and tormented people. In short, we were not alone. We were never alone.
From the very first couple of pages, I realized this wasn’t going to be one of the same bland ‘inspirational lit’ that pervades the market these days. Peretti writes with grit and force. I finished this book in two days flat. The funny thing is that I would have finished this in a single day, but I deliberately cut myself off. I was enjoying myself so much, I wanted to draw the book out a little longer.
“This Present Darkness” takes place in the small town of Ashton, a town caught in the grips of an unseen battle. A cloud of ignorance and doubt has encircled the town, causing the townspeople to become fearful, angry, and paranoid. Yet no one even seems to recognize the problem even existing.
“Crime was up, especially among the youth; simple, common trust in one’s neighbor was diminishing; never had the town been so full of rumors, scandals, and malicious gossip. In the shadow of fear and suspicion, life here was gradually losing its joy and simplicity, and no one seemed to know why or how.” – This Present Darkness
Right from the opening scenes, Peretti gives us a battle between angels engaged in a fierce fight with a demon attempting to influence the local townspeople. This sets the tone for the rest of the novel to follow. Throughout the story, Peretti alternates between the view of the townspeople, and the view from the spiritual perspective of both angels and demons.
Spiritual warfare is the theme here, and more than any other novel I have read, Peretti meaningfully brings to life the war between opposing spiritual forces. Angels here are very far from the cherubic images we have seen, eternally plucking golden harps. They are portrayed as fierce and warlike. Ever vigilant as they watch over the souls of men.
In Peretti’s novel, demons are very different than the portrayal of ‘The Exorcist’. Instead of projectile vomiting or climbing walls, demons are portrayed as cunning and intelligent. They also operate in a hierarchy. Different demons have different roles, some tempt, others oppress and others assume commander roles.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”. —Ephesians 6:12
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was portraying the local Pastor, Hank Busche. Usually when I’m reading something from a Christian author, Pastors/Reverends/Priests are portrayed as always perfect and wise. To me that just isn’t realistic. Whereas here in Peretti’s novel, Hank Busche is dealing with a plethora of issues that he doesn’t understand how to solve. He is human, vulnerable and flawed. Yet his character arc from doubting to taking a bold stand against the dark forces in Ashton made me want to cheer.
“I’m here, Satan,” he said. “I can’t see you, and maybe you can move faster than I can, but I’m still here, and by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit I intend to be a thorn in your side until one of us has had enough!” – This Present Darkness
As a writer Peretti was way ahead of his time. This novel is eerily reminiscent of ‘Stranger Things’, only Peretti had the Duffer Brothers beat by about twenty years. The concept is still there, supernatural forces on the outskirt of our reality, wreaking havoc and chaos on our world. Peretti expertly lays multiple layers to his story, continually amping up the mystery and intrigue. As I reached the end, I won’t spoil anything, but the end was so brilliantly constructed and climactic, and just perfect. When I sadly put the book the book down, I took a look around me and really considered just how much I understood about my world.
Have you ever met a random person and they said something important? Something you needed to hear? And have you ever met some spiteful, vindictive person that seems bent on wreaking your day? Are you sure these instances are random? Are you sure that these were all by chance?
More importantly than anything else, Peretti’s novel rocked my world in several ways. For starters, Peretti showed me just how brilliant, complex and engrossing a faith based novel really could be. I admit that there have been times I was tempted to cover up my faith because I was afraid of being lumped with a certain crowd. I’m embarrassed to admit this truthfully. I didn’t want to be lumped in with the Amish fiction crowd or what have you. With this book, Peretti earned my respect and caused me to think differently about myself and the world I live in.
“It gives you a real respect for the truth when you have to help clean up lives that have been based on a lie. Think about it.” – This Present Darkness
“I understand that sometimes the truth of God’s Word can become a divider, an irritation, a stone of stumbling. But that’s only because it remains unchanged, uncompromising, and steadfast. And what better reason could there be to build our lives on such an immovable foundation? To violate the Word of God is only to destroy ourselves, our joy, our peace, our happiness.” – This Present Darkness
Frank Peretti has written a novel that is both terrifying and inspiring. Thrilling, complex and not afraid to tackle hard issues. A masterfully told story that delves into the depths of human nature and the complexities of faith. This was an easy 10/10, I can’t recommend this more highly.
