Edge of Eternity

By far the greatest strength of Edge Of Eternity is the allegorical depiction of the Christian pilgrimage, with many of the duties, joys, and pitfalls described. Alcorn gives a realistic view of what a new believer should expect as he travels toward the celestial city, so this book might be worthy material for one new to the Faith. On the other hand, I cannot say that I found the writing all that engaging and even found the pace to be somewhat plodding at times, especially in the beginning. Most troubling to me was the allegorized picture of the atonement which resembled more the theology of Mel Gibson or even Kenneth Copeland than John Calvin. With this theological weakness in mind, Edge Of Eternity may be worthy of mild commendation show more as a guide to practical Christian living. show less

I am pretty sure I’m in the minority when it came to Edge of Eternity. Most in my book club really loved it — mainly for the allegory that Alcorn creates, which, I must agree, is compelling. My problem was the writing. I’ve heard so many people rave about Alcorn’s books, but there was something about it that did not, at all, resonate with me, and I keep coming back to the writing. The whole book was a series of “This happened. Then this happened. Then this happened.” Descriptions that should have resonated deeper and characters that I should have related to better. Cliches all over the place. The highs should have felt higher and the lows should have felt lower — I could not connect at all. And this comes from someone who show more longs for heaven! I thought the second half the book was stronger than the first, so I’m glad I stuck with it. I really do think the allegory was beautiful, and some of the images that he describes felt very True, with a capital T. But I just couldn’t love it. The fact this was our October book club book and I didn’t finish it until nearly December shows how little desire I had to finish it up.

Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2011/12/16/book-review-106-edge-of-eternity-by-randy-a... show less

'Edge of Eternity' struck me as an elaborate mess of words.

The novel, which follows the spiritual journey of a man transported to a purgatory of sorts, has the potential to grip readers with its premise but fails spectacularly to reach this potential. Instead, the muddled beginning, barrage of similes and odd pacing of events creates a text that requires a great deal of patience and willpower to read all the way through.

To its credit, the novel did contain an interesting message and provided some food for thought. Ultimately I was far more impressed by the novel's intent than I was by its execution.

Edge of Eternity is about a man who has lived selfishly and foolishly for most of his life, basking in worldly goods and pleasures and making stupid decisions that ultimately lead to the loss of everything he didn't know was important to him. One day he is mysteriously whisked away to another world, one that exists between Heaven and Hell, and the story from that point becomes an allegory for the spiritual journey we all make, the result of which is either accepting the Savior or rebelling against Him. The book is filled with symbolism and is similar to Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, only not nearly as good.
I almost didn't finish this book. Right from the first page, there were too many little annoyances that kept jumping out and striking show more me in the face, such as the authors overuse of the simile. Off the top of my head, I would say he used one, on average, 2 to 3 times per each 2 to 3 pages. I counted a total of six within the first 3 pages alone. On top of that, the first chapters were not at all compelling to me. The story opens in the middle of the action: Nick, our protagonist, has just awoken in this mysterious new world and is immediately attacked by a flying dinosaur-like creature. The scene is clearly meant to be gripping but failed, as far as this reader was concerned. In fact, it was just plain dull.

As the story progressed, I found other things that bothered me. As much as I wanted to give it up, I kept pressing myself on and giving the book the benefit of the doubt. By the 8-9th chapter, I was still confused by the strange world and uncertain about the direction of the plot. I could see some allegory in there, but it was vague. The only thing I could relate it to was every RPG I've ever played, in which random people with different skills and talents form a random group, each contributing something that benefits the whole, and travel a fantasy world on their way to some kind of mecca.

By about the 10th chapter, the book redeemed itself, but it wasn't easy getting there. In the end, I was glad to have read it and for the spiritual lessons I learned, but I wondered how many other people would miss out on the good this book has to offer because of the bad that is its opening?

Overall, a decent read that offered a few page-turning moments and some interesting spiritual food-for-thought, but suffers from a weak and uninteresting opening. Honestly, another three to five chapters of the same, and I probably wouldn't have finished. Maybe that's exactly what the author wanted, I really don't know, but to do that intentionally seems risky and foolish.

Definitely borrow before you buy, unless you're already a big Alcorn fan. show less

"Imagine being pulled into the hereafter. While you're still alive." Nick Seagrave is a big-name executive at a high-end company, who looks good on the outside. To all outward appearances, he's living the high life. But deep down inside, he's spiraling downward, falling apart. Separated from loved ones by the choices he's made, Nick finds himself in utter despair. It is in that moment that he's pulled into another world, a place that will force him to see the consequences of his life, (and thus himself), for what they are. He is in the ultimate Purgatory, where he can experience both heaven and hell with all his five senses, and which leads him on the ultimate journey of discovery. Pushed and pulled between the various sources of evil, show more and the One Source of all goodness, Nick is forced to confront the One he's been running from his whole life. Passing along the median between the two realms, Nick must make a choice: a choice that will bring him the very brink of the Edge Of Eternity. This is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it. show less

slow to get into and then somewhat drawn out, but does have a real and meaningful story and ending. Boy if we all could get a opportunity like Nick Seagrave did..... Enjoyable after some chapters.

I really liked this book. Love allegories!