My pastor suggested I read Edge of Eternity. I did, and before I was finished, ordered more of your works through the EPM site. The fiction grabs my attention more…causing me to stay up late, and rise early, to read.
I’m close to 40 years as a Christ-follower/Chasm-crosser, and have never been stirred as I have been in reading your words. What is amazing is that it makes so much sense that our Creator God would have the amazing things you describe just waiting for us! Only a few years ago, I heard someone say that the spiritual realm is so much more real than the physical realm we experience during our brief time here. Perhaps that is what got my mind stretched, and ready for the images you have provided. I feel like you’ve reached out, and lifted my chin to gaze not at the streets and streetlights in my neighborhood, but to finally notice with wonder the stars and moon and constellations and more. – M. S.
I wanted you to know how deeply your book Edge of Eternity touched me. I saw your book at the grocery store, and something about it caught my attention and I bought it. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about. I really got into it though and was dealing with a lot of guilt and my own unforgiveness over my suicide attempt, so when they started driving nails into the “chasm crosser,” all those feelings came to the surface. I began to feel like the story was symbolic of my life and I was so excited during the scenes in Heaven. I also thought to myself how glorious it would be to see Him in Heaven and ride beside Him in battle. I could not have been more shocked when I got to the end and realized what had happened. I just broke down in tears saying “Oh my God” over and over and I knew that God had meant for me to read that book. I honestly felt like it was His love letter to me. After that, I was able to finally start letting go of the past and move forward. – D. Y.
I purchased and read Edge of Eternity about 10 years ago. I just read it again and enjoyed it even more this time. Whether it’s just that God has worked in me some very needed changes in the last several years or that its message is even more timely in these dangerous times, (I think it is both) I had to say what a great book it is. I hated for it to end. I wanted it to go on. I wish Randy had done a sequel for its character, Nick, to carry him on into Charis. – C. M.
Again, Randy Alcorn has written an excellent book that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat until the very last page. – J. C.
The name of the book should have given me a clue but I was shocked to walk in to a fantasy land with Nick. The symbology while not as subtle as C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, still make me think hard about my own life and what is most important. – R. R.
I enjoy reading Randy Alcorn books, so started reading this one from a familiar viewpoint. Immediately this book takes you beyond familiar and places you in a new world view. While being fiction, it does challenge us to think outside the box which I like. Truth is, we are made for eternity...the question is, where will you spend it? Don't get caught on the wrong side of this question. Your choice will have eternal consequences. I enjoyed reading this book. – J. E.
PS: For a great "who done it" novel don't miss reading Deadline by Randy Alcorn. It is very good also.
I'm a Christian from Holland and I've just finished reading your great book Edge of Eternity for the second time. My feelings of Heaven have changed after reading this book and your other books as well. I wanted you to know that I'm really looking forward to meeting my Savior and King and enjoy the great promises in the new world. This is the biggest change because before reading your books, my idea of Heaven was rather a dull one: eternal praise and singing. I love singing, but eternity would be a very long time... Now I understand that it is going to be a glorious time with all the good things multiplied we see here in the Shadowlands. - D. H.
Edge of Eternity is probably the best fiction book I have ever read because of so many truths written in it. - W. W.
Thank you for writing Edge of Eternity. What a great adventure it was. I'm in college and must tell you that school takes away a person’s drive to read personally. Your story, a parable as it were for the Christian life, brought me a fun and emotional experience at a time when it's easy to let life become stressful. Once again I appreciate your work knowing you enjoy doing it as much as your audience enjoys experiencing the stories. I hope to make time for another soon. - M. E.
I just got done reading Edge of Eternity, and all I can say is “Wow.” I have gone through some struggles of my own, and this makes things seem clearer somehow. - K. R.
I wanted to thank you for the only book of yours I have read Edge of Eternity. I finished it for the 7th time last night. This book has helped me view a bigger picture through very dark times I have already gone through. Things I believe no one should be tested with, things no one should ever see. I will read this book for the rest of my life, I am glad it found me. Thank you. - G. D.
I just finished reading Edge of Eternity. A friend found it in the local library. It is the best book I've read in a long time!! What a great salvation message to the lost and super read for those who already know the Lord. - P. M.
Once I figured out what was going on, I liked this book. It’s more of an allegory with an Science Fiction tilt than a straight-up novel. Kind of a crossbreed, I guess. I suspect Alcorn may have been thinking of Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan when he wrote Edge of Eternity. I know I was, as I read it. It’s good, and an easier read than Pilgrim, but not as deep—that would be a very tall order. It’s a good read, particularly if you enjoy speculative fiction. – R. G.
This book had my attention so much at first that I couldn’t put it down. There were so many unique parallels to what we as Christians really experience spiritually, such as spiritual warfare and our constant journey to stay on the “Red road,” longing for Heaven (depicted in this novel as Charis, the City of Light). Some of the locations and personal references were a little confusing and hard to keep up with after being introduced to so many characters along the way, and the fact that a lot of things had multiple names/titles in the novel. I love Randy Alcorn, but in all honesty, I started to get a little bored about 3/4 through the book. By this point, there wasn’t much action happening and it seemed a bit mundane with walking, walking, and more walking of the red road. It picked back up for the most part in the last 20 pages or so with some enticing encounters with a devilish character and transportation. (My favorite Alcorn book by far is Safely Home.) – H. S.
I love all of Randy Alcorn’s works, but Edge of Eternity particularly affected me. Although it was an excellent story and very entertaining, Mr. Alcorn was able to effectively capture the Christian’s life journey in a way that provoked me and encouraged me spiritually as well. It reminded me of a modern-day Pilgrim’s Progress, but it’s definitely its own unique work. The spiritual parallels are just subtle enough that you have to look for them, but they are definitely there. The ending in particular was especially poignant, and when I closed the book I couldn’t help but fall to my knees in prayer and thanks to God. If I might offer a little advice…buy this book! - J. F.
Thank you for writing Edge of Eternity. What a great adventure it was. I’m in college and must tell you that school takes away a person’s drive to read personally. Your story, a parable as it were for the Christian life brought me a fun and emotional experience at a time when it’s easy to let life become stressful. Once again I appreciate your work knowing you enjoy doing it as much as your audience enjoys experiencing the stories. I hope to make time for another soon. - M. E.
This is an exceptional little book on Heaven. It gave me a new understanding of and appreciation for heaven and how what we do with our lives here on Earth matters for our existence in eternity. I have given copies of this book to many people, and all have found it well worth reading. – E. H.
Randy Alcorn is one of the most versatile writers in the Christian world today. He has produced six fictional works and numerous nonfiction on a range of subject from inner-city race relations to a theological review of Heaven. One notable aspect of Alcorn’s work is that you can often see the root of the formula in the works of masters. So, his Lord Foulgrin’s Letters is very much like C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters. The Edge of Eternity will remind you of Pilgrim’s Progress. This is in no way intended to denigrate what Alcorn has accomplished, for in this work, he has created a first rate allegory.
The book opens very quickly into a surreal place that will leave you confused and sometimes frustrated through the first 40 pages. I put the book down, and almost forgot about it for several weeks. I am very thankful that I picked it up again and stayed with it during this very strange opening.
Like Pilgrim’s Progress, the protagonist is on a journey in a strange land. Unlike the classic, however, the character’s names and the places they visit or not quite so obvious in what they are analogous to. But when clarity comes, it is like a spiritual awakening, and often includes having to deal with feelings that we’d rather leave in a closet somewhere. Skewered is a word that comes to mind.
This book easily makes my top 10 list, and I have consumed 1000’s of books. I don’t think you can read it to the end without having it change your life...at least for a season. - R. K.
I have this flaw: I love fiction and can't get into non-fiction. For that reason I was drawn in, awed, and overwhelmed by Edge of Eternity. You explained some very simple truths so clearly that people always seem to get confused by, and you kept the action going. I think I learned more in that one book than any other fiction book I've ever read. - D. B.
I just finished reading my copy of Edge of Eternity. To say that this book has had an influence on my views of my walk with Christ, and my prayer life, would be putting it mildly. Thank you so very much for writing that book. I look forward to reading your other works. - D. M.
I just finished Edge of Eternity. I loved it! I thought it was thought-provoking and was right in step with my walk with the Lord since I came to Him a year ago. This book was recommended to me by a friend and now I have been telling everyone about it. - T. F.
I want to thank you for Edge of Eternity. I keep reading it over and over, and finding something new every time! - J. B.
I just finished the last page of Edge of Eternity, which I found for 25 cents in a public library in the used book sale room. Though 55 years old and a Christian for almost 30 years, I am touched and challenged and healed by your book. Areas of unsettledness and failure, I hope and believe, are potentially past. The small opportunities to pray for someone, or give or reach out, will be stones I can stop and pick up, as gifts to my King, without distraction and self-doubt.
And my struggle to serve the Lord in significant ways feels like its over, with a new contentment to just walk the red road, doing each day's deeds in contentment and freedom and joy. And the goal—not my spiritual development, not maximum effectiveness and pursuit of my potential in Christ—is faithfully walking the path He lays out for me, with love and gratitude and joy. - R. C.
I was born and raised in the Buddhist religion but when I was eight I did pick up a Bible and converted to Christianity. Four years later I converted my mother.
I received a copy of your book, Edge of Eternity, when I was a sophomore in high school. I read it at a leisurely pace, not really getting into much detail.I am rounding 20 now, and have read the book over 9 times, only just now taking a highlighter and a fine tooth comb to the book. I would like to compliment you on the excellent piece of work that you have put forth. It truly is a work of art, and more importantly of God. - Anonymous
I recently read the book Edge of Eternity and there's no way I can explain or describe what happened to me. It was like a window in my heart was opened and I somehow began to understand scripture a lot better. I visited this site just to discover the author has other books. I was really thrilled. May the Lord bless you as you help in opening blind eyes. - I. O., Nigeria
I am now in the middle of Edge of Eternity. My thanks to you for constantly reminding me of seeing things in light of eternity. It has literally changed my perspective on life—how I see my family, my church, my role in this short life. Just last night I read a quote from your book Edge where Shad says, "The darkness doesn't need a little less darkness; what it needs is light." Thank you for shining the Light. - M. S.
A brief note to say "well done" on Edge of Eternity. It reaches close to the heart and inspires me to consider whom we serve, what the conflict is about and the consequences of our choices for better or worse. I believe every person who serves Him—Our Lord and Savior—would be encouraged and blessed by this fine book. Thank you and may Jesus richly bless you in your ministry. - J. R.—a "fellow traveler"
When I finished Deadline, I was so overwhelmed because having a special needs child, I could relate to little Finn, along with many other aspects of the story. Being a kidney donor for my brother, the entire theme of the book was impressive. But, now that I have finished Edge of Eternity, I have been so renewed in my faith that I just had to respond with an email. Other writings have served my spirit well in building my faith, but this one in particular has allowed me to view Christ's suffering at Calvary in a whole new respect as if it was possible. It is remarkable that I have had your book for over a month and have not chosen to read it until now. What a glorious God we serve, that he even designates the time and material of our reading with good Friday and Easter quickly approaching. Thank you for Edge and the spiritual renewing it has brought me. I am now sending it to a friend. - A. B.
It's four o'clock in the morning and I have just finished reading your novel, Edge of Eternity. I must confess to you that when I started reading the book, I thought it was going to be just another strange book loosely written about the end time, or something. Little did I know that your book would take me on a journey through my own life and show me myself in so many different ways. I found myself in many, many of the characters in your book. Unfortunately, some of them were not the type of person I want to think of myself as.
Your book has given me a wonderful picture of the walk we each must take on our journey to the King. It has helped me put many of my wrong ideas into proper perspective. It has helped me see my journey more clearly than I ever have before. I am 45 years old, the father of five children and the grandfather of one. I have known all along that my walk with the Lord is a living example to my family. But now I can see more clearly the consequences of not staying on the road the Lord has given us to travel. Thank you again for writing this book. - D. F.
It's hard for me to know where to begin to tell you how much Edge of Eternity has meant to me! I have read it twice and wish everyone I know would read it. I long for Jesus' return and now I have a better vision of what I'm yearning for! This present-day world is very difficult to live in, but your book helps me to understand that a very lost and dying world needs to hear the incredibly wonderful news we can't sit on”but I still can't wait for that trumpet to sound! Again, thank you for your work and God bless you! - M. D.
