The Left Left Behind

AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION

The Left Behind novels (some sixteen in all) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins are among the best-selling fantasies in America today. Self-described as “apocalyptic fiction,” they tell the story of the Rapture, in which the faithful are yanked straight up to Heaven without dying, and the following seven years of Tribulation, when those “left behind” are ruled by the Anti-Christ (a sleazy Romanian) until Christ’s return. It all has to do with Armageddon and God’s plan for Israel and the Christian Born-Agains.

Millions believe this nonsense, and the Left Behind novels are hugely popular. Patrice Duvic, a French SF writer and editor, alarmed that they were about to be published in France, suggested to me that we write a parody in which the world is better off with the Born-Agains gone. Patrice was ailing, and died before we got started, but the idea and the inspiration are all his—

RIP, mon frère…