Amy Frykholm

For a few years I've been reading a blog that deconstructs the Left Behind books, a popular series of novels about the Apocalypse, page by page, examining why they are bad, both from the standpoint of the writing and of the eschatology behind the events they describe. So when I saw this book I was intrigued at the thought of finding out who reads these books and why.

Frykholm is well-situated to look at this topic. She approaches her project as an ethnographer, and one who is able to approach both the books' defenders and detractors with openness and with a lack of judgement. She interviews a number of people, attending church with them and learning about how the books fit into their worlds. The book consists mainly of these interviews, along with her observations and I found it interesting. It certainly reinforces my desire to never read the series!… (meer)