House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker (October 2006) [Archive]

Yippy

09-28-2006, 09:33 PM

I read House over the summer. It's definitely creepy enough. Maybe we could do another Dekker book in the future. They're always fun to talk about. House was the first Dekker book I had figured out early on, which NEVER happens. He always has me to the end. It'll be interesting to see what you all think. :)

For Dekker fans: His website and message boards are a lot of fun. He really gets into it... www.teddekker.com

Yippy

10-04-2006, 09:40 PM

Welcome to our discussion of HOUSE by Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker. Use this thread to talk about your thoughts on the book. Don't be afraid.;)

Yippy

10-04-2006, 09:47 PM

woman4life

10-06-2006, 10:02 PM

I think this book has had a more profound impact on my thought processes the last few days than I would have thought. I was kind of surprised by what happened in the end to some extent. I sometimes hope I am not too much like Leslie... kinda hard to explain. Not sure if I should say just yet what happened until a few more people are through reading. Ray was just creepy.

I sometimes wonder what I would be like in a really trying circumstance like that.. trying to sort through the clues. When Christ returns, will I recognize him? Would I have if I was alive during his time? The theme, though, about our own sin trapping us... so very true. I know I am quite capable of "looking out for No. 1" on occasion, more often than I should be for sure.

Maybe I'm just in a rather melancholy mood because I'm sick, but I have to admit that this book did make me think a bit. My husband is not a Christian, so I'm kind of wondering what he'd think of this book.

The only thing I didn't care for was the very last bit at the end.

P.S. I think my daughter is going to read the book now.. very curious what she has to say.

wannabaRSgirl

10-10-2006, 09:31 PM

I have been "creeping" through the first 10 chapters. I am usually not one for Mystery or SciFi or whatever else this falls into. I just keep thinking about Diane's comment about "figuring it out" early on and I can't get past it. I keep trying to figure it out. Then I fall aslep.....

rock_the_light

10-10-2006, 09:37 PM

Ho! I love how they make the house so normal in the beginning, then it just gets creepier and creepier. Anyone who has read Peretti's Veritas Projects? (I think that's how you spell it) No. 2 of those books reminded me of House.

I love how you don't know if the other people in the house are bad or good or just caught in the middle. I think it need a little bit more action. ;)

Yippy

10-10-2006, 10:32 PM

I just keep thinking about Diane's comment about "figuring it out" early on and I can't get past it. I keep trying to figure it out. Then I fall aslep.....
Oh, forget I said that. Just enjoy it and read on. I didn't have it ALL figured out.:p
I love how you don't know if the other people in the house are bad or good or just caught in the middle. I think it need a little bit more action. ;)
Keep reading.:p

woman4life

10-11-2006, 03:30 AM

Yea, the action will come. LOL ;)

I had the basic "gist" of what the story was about figured out, but there were some definite surprises.

jesusnewspaper

10-11-2006, 08:27 AM

creepy! oh well this from the girl whos rarley afraid! shrugs!

wannabaRSgirl

10-16-2006, 03:48 PM

so, right now I am just hoping for a "happily ever after". I am not accustomed to reading from the mystery or sci-fi section. I keep telling my husband, oh, you will love it!

What I am wishing I had done from the beginning is tried to draw a map of that basement, so I could keep up with which way they are are going. I wonder if it would add up in the end.

This little girl Susan, why did they not ask her who she came with and what her story is. If she says she'd been there 3 days I wonder if her sense of time is skewed like the others, and who was delivering her the soda and snacks?

I keep picturing Leslie looking like that woman who used to be on "Just Shoot me", with David Spade. The one that used to be a model and she was older? I don't know why, probably because our violin teacher looks just like her. (all that was free)

wannabaRSgirl

10-16-2006, 03:49 PM

Is it too creepy to discuss, or is no one reading it, or is there nothing to discuss till later?

woman4life

10-16-2006, 05:58 PM

I actually finished the book in a short time because I was ill and didn't feel good enough to do much else. Anyway, I mainly commented in the last section because I really couldn't remember what happened in which chapter. LOL But if you want to discuss something, I'm open to it. :) GO for it!!

wannabaRSgirl

10-16-2006, 10:07 PM

That's the thing, I can't come up with anything to discuss. I guess no one else can either.

Yippy

10-16-2006, 10:58 PM

That's the thing, I can't come up with anything to discuss. I guess no one else can either.
It really is easier to "discuss" this story at the end, because it just moves right along throughout the book.

Gandalf

10-16-2006, 11:20 PM

When Christ returns, will I recognize him?
I wouldn't worry about that - it'll be kind of hard to miss Him coming down from the sky with an army of angels at His back, and trumpets blaring. :)

Missy10

10-16-2006, 11:32 PM

What I am wishing I had done from the beginning is tried to draw a map of that basement, so I could keep up with which way they are are going. I wonder if it would add up in the end.

This little girl Susan, why did they not ask her who she came with and what her story is. If she says she'd been there 3 days I wonder if her sense of time is skewed like the others, and who was delivering her the soda and snacks?

I'm only through chapter 18, but I totally agree with you...I wish I could draw a map. I feel like I don't know exactly where the people in the basement really are (maybe we are supposed to feel this way...lost like the characters?). It gets confusing.
As for Susan, she just doesn't make sense yet.
Blessings,
Missy (the newbie, LOL!)

queenofblank

10-18-2006, 05:04 PM

I'm only through chapter 18, but I totally agree with you...I wish I could draw a map. I feel like I don't know exactly where the people in the basement really are (maybe we are supposed to feel this way...lost like the characters?). It gets confusing.

I took this book along me to summer camp this past summer, and it was done before the end of the three-hour bus ride. It was a great book, but I agree. It needed a map of some kind... I couldn't figure out the basement, or where the kitchen/dining room was! Otherwise, I would strongly suggest it for anyone who hasn't read it...

woman4life

10-18-2006, 06:31 PM

I think both of those issues do become clearer by the end of the book.

As for the map, it seems like the position of things change (either because they are lost or the house changes... will let you finish to book to figure that out) so a map might be difficult or change the tenor of the book.

--Melanie

1inamillion

10-21-2006, 07:01 PM

Oh, forget I said that. Just enjoy it and read on. I didn't have it ALL figured out.:p

Keep reading.:p
this book is SOOOO freaky! i loved it...i mostly read at night in my bed....i like finished it that night i couldn't sleep!

wannabaRSgirl

10-26-2006, 12:52 PM

wannabaRSgirl

10-26-2006, 01:06 PM

I am done now. I wish I knew Melanie, which part you didn't like at the end.

I thought the "Shooing" was humorous, but likely she wouldn't have been in a humorous mood.

The 3 of them standing in the window is just a reminder that the battle is never over and there is always spiritual warfare going on.

I was so excited about the forums that Yippy refered us to at Dekkar's website. I went there and saw him say something in his blog about criticism for making "the Christ" a girl. I didn't know which book he was refering to because I haven't read any of them, but I did start to catch on.

Susan had a KEY at the beginning that she said "they" didn't know about.

It was my first horror book ever. I would have never read a secular one, I just don't get into that. I would have never read this one if it were not the book of the month. I was enlightened!

No one ever knows how they would react in that kindof situation. That is why I like the reality shows. Get 16 Americans on a deserted island fighting for a million dollars and it is a lesson in sociology! I don't know how I would do but it will definately expose your heart.

woman4life

10-26-2006, 05:37 PM

IT was the "shooing" and not at the same time. I'll have to go back and look at it.

This is a great observation, though:
"The 3 of them standing in the window is just a reminder that the battle is never over and there is always spiritual warfare going on."

cknell

10-27-2006, 11:25 AM

I keep picturing Leslie looking like that woman who used to be on "Just Shoot me", with David Spade. The one that used to be a model and she was older? (all that was free)

That's how I picture her as well. Or, like the mom in 'The Santa Claus' movie with Tim Allen.

w8ing4daybreak

12-04-2006, 01:34 PM

It was my first horror book ever. I would have never read a secular one, I just don't get into that. I would have never read this one if it were not the book of the month. I was enlightened!

Same here, I had requested it from another library in October, and it just came in, so I read it over the weekend. I just kept telling my husband..."This is the creepiest book I ever read. It's really freaky!" There is something unsettling about not knowing who to trust, and having to look at the evil within.

It's being made into a movie that will be released in the next year sometime. I generally don't go to "horror flicks" We'll have to wait and see.

wannabaRSgirl

12-05-2006, 03:14 AM

There is something unsettling about not knowing who to trust, and having to look at the evil within.

That is true not just in the book you know, but also in real life.
The only one you can trust is Jesus. I have learned that people will always let you down but he never will. You know, they don't even mean to do it but people are always not meeting my expectations.

Charlotte

12-07-2006, 01:53 AM

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! And yes, it did remind me of Veritas...Nightmare Academy. I LOVE those also. I love anything by Peretti! Monster was not a fav, just seemed out of character for him. But House...WOW!!! Keeps you guessing and 2nd guessing what you THINK you have figured out! Great pic Mark...

Now how about that Way of the Master book I gave you?!!!! Or was it Hell's Best Kept Secret? One of them, it is by Ray Comfort...you read it yet?

w8ing4daybreak

12-07-2006, 11:20 AM

That is true not just in the book you know, but also in real life.
The only one you can trust is Jesus. I have learned that people will always let you down but he never will. You know, they don't even mean to do it but people are always not meeting my expectations.

Thanks for reminding me of that. It's just what I needed to hear today.:)

jtdrummer

01-19-2007, 08:33 PM

Based on your feedback earlier in the summer, there's a good level of interest in all things Ted Dekker. I figured October would be an appropriate month for a "creepy" book, so here you go.

So Mark, who do you like better, Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti? I'm still in the middle of reading house, and that's the first thing that I've read by Ted Dekker. I have read most of Frank Peretti's books, and I like his stuff a lot!

Martyred

02-21-2007, 02:11 PM

I just read this book about a month ago... i know its kinda late for this one... but here's what i think:

AWESOME BOOK!!!!!!!

this was the first book ive read from Frank Peretti, and now i've started on "This Present Darkness"

Both are good authors...

lizzie_1119

06-16-2007, 09:40 PM

House had to be one of the best books I've read, I think I read it in like 4 or 5days, except for the ending. I'm sorry if this is a little harsh, but that has to be the worst ending to the best book I ever read. Even though I didn't care for the ending I'd read it again.

Cotton

04-26-2008, 07:08 AM

I read House and had terrible nightmares! But it is one of my all time favorites now.

lilmikey

05-11-2008, 02:40 PM

I got it yesterday and just finished it. Its probably one of the best Christian novels I have ever read. Do you guys think there will ever be a sequel? Now I cant wait for the move! I am sooooo glad I read the book first.

Col. Mustard

06-10-2008, 04:22 PM

i love ted!! i'll totlay read it as soon as i finish the black/red/white series.
just started the 1st 1 tho, so gimme a week.:)

TDub

07-31-2008, 06:28 PM

Ladylouwolf

09-17-2008, 01:12 AM

Need to run to the store, like today and pick this one up...My teenage son loves Frank Perretti, so do I , but always waiting and waitinf for the library to get them in...This soundsl like a must read. Read his other stuff, seriously a Christian Stephen King kinda guy..He did a movie too and it rocked...Cannot remember right now the title..Having a blonde moement:) God bless you

lilmikey

09-18-2008, 03:01 AM

It was rather profound. The message was so great and I actually think that was the book's strongest point. The story also was great too!!

Yippy

09-23-2008, 04:58 PM

I know I'm joining this conversation a little late but I couldn't help but wonder if all of you read the same "House" by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti that I read. It's been a while since I've read it, but I HATED that book. I'm a suspence fanatic, but I was ready for that book to END! The only good thing I can say about House was, "Thank God it was short." Now "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti is great. Not so much of a Dekker fan.Don't let House discourage you from reading Dekker. I love a lot of his books but didn't like House at all. I know a lot of people who did, but I had it figured out from the start, and that's just not a Dekker book to me. He usually has some kind of twist at the end that gets me, but I felt like you did and couldn't wait for House to end.