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The Antichrists Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

Elijah has a dream - to follow in the footsteps of his brothers and make the VHS football team. But, for Elijah it's an uphill battle. Unlike his tall, muscular brothers, Elijah is small and weak, but he pushes on, determined to realize his dream. Elijah's faith is a source of comfort and strength, but when his new pastor begins to preach out against gays, Elijah feels increasingly unwelcome. While his church seems increasingly un-Christian, Elijah is exposed to the gay boys of Verona - boys who care about each other and reach out to those in need. Why are those who are called abominations acting more Christian than the Christians? When Elijah admits to himself that he is gay his faith is weakened. His belief is further shaken when he becomes sick. Is it a punishment from God? How could God create him gay and then punish him for it? As Elijah's troubles and doubts increase, a very special boy comes into his life and helps him find his way. Elijah learns that much of what he has been taught in church is wrong, but that he shouldn't turn his back on his beliefs. He learns that sometimes, those who present themselves as moral leaders are anything but. They are the Antichrists.

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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 49 minutes
Author Mark A. Roeder
Narrator Bryant Sullivan
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 19, 2014
Publisher Mark A. Roeder
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00KFKF7ZI
Best Sellers Rank #392,905 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2,622 in LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#9,752 in LGBTQ+ Genre Fiction (Books)
#598,762 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
104 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-crafted. They describe the book as a good value and one of the author's best works. The characters are described as complex, relatable, and amazing. Readers appreciate the vibrant and emotional portrayal of the struggles of a person. The message resonates with them and helps them deal with issues. The humor is also appreciated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging storyline. They find it hard to put down, with a great backstory that works on multiple levels. Readers appreciate the stand-alone narrative and how the plot never wavers. The book triggers memories for them.

"...It tells an excellent story and makes it hard to put it down...." Read more

"...And it triggered so many memories...." Read more

"...3. The story works on multiple levels. It provides a backstory in it's narrative. Roeder's characters always seem to have a realism to them...." Read more

"...I loved this book for its overall simplicity. It is a cute story about a boy coming out and fighting the demons that organized religion will often..." Read more

9 customers mention "Value for money"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good value and say it's one of the author's best works.

"...A good book and a good buy. Try it and see for yourself." Read more

"Mark Roeder never disappoints me and this is another excellent book...." Read more

"...Unless you are cold as ice you will shead a tear. But it is worth it." Read more

"Love this book! Elijah and amazing character. Read this book! Then read it again Although the cover is amazing!! Proud" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters complex, confused, and unsure like real people. They also say Elijah is an amazing character.

"...And excruciatingly painful. And so funny. The range of characters were so well-drawn, and I was deeply drawn into their lives...." Read more

"...The addition of a very special character into this story makes me wish that we could borrow this character for a while in my state of South Carolina..." Read more

"...The other characters are deeply real--complicated, confused, and unsure--just like the rest of us...." Read more

"Love this book! Elijah and amazing character. Read this book! Then read it again Although the cover is amazing!! Proud" Read more

4 customers mention "Color"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the vibrant and emotional content of the book. They find the cover amazing and say it's an interesting look into a person's struggles.

"This is an interesting and emotional look into the struggles of a person of faith who realizes they are gay...." Read more

"...It is so incredibly real and vibrant. And excruciatingly painful. And so funny...." Read more

"...Read this book! Then read it again Although the cover is amazing!! Proud" Read more

"Just WOW!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Message"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's message resonates with them. It helps them deal with lingering issues and reconcile their struggles.

"...So, even though 61 years too late, the book has helped me deal with lingering issues that have remained with me all these years...." Read more

"...had once felt, quite strongly, called into ministry - this book truly resonated with me...." Read more

"...The message was strong, especially for those struggling with how to incorporate faith and feelings together...." Read more

"...I think it addresses issues that need to be addressed, it helped me personally. this story is really indescribable,I just love it...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They mention it has a great storyline that makes them laugh and cry.

"...And excruciatingly painful. And so funny. The range of characters were so well-drawn, and I was deeply drawn into their lives...." Read more

"Great storyline! This book will make you laugh and cry. you learn that love has a much deeper meaning...." Read more

"This story has me crying one moment and laughing the next. I think it addresses issues that need to be addressed, it helped me personally...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality. They say the words are moving and important.

"...His words are moving and important. They are words I have been waiting to hear my whole life, and Mr. Roeder captures them perfectly...." Read more

"I'm addicted to all of Mark Roeder's books. His writing is fantastic, and once I pick up any of his books I can't stop reading them...." Read more

"Good read..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
    This is an interesting and emotional look into the struggles of a person of faith who realizes they are gay. The journey and struggles that Elijah walked, while not exactly like my own, certainly touches on many of the same questions, realizations, and outcomes that I went through around the same time in age and time as the character. Before the web, google, and smartphones information wasn't easy to come by making the struggle even more difficult.

    I appreciated the honest depiction of the struggle and certainly suggest that you not miss this book!
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2014
    If you like the "gay youth chronicles" by this author then chances are you'll enjoy this one as well. It tells an excellent story and makes it hard to put it down. You think you can guess what's going to happen next but then the story goes somewhere else completely! A good book and a good buy. Try it and see for yourself.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2015
    I wish I could have read this book back in 1954 when I myself was 15. It would have been so helpful. But back then was the Dark Ages, with nowhere at all to turn for a teen struggling with self-identity issues.

    But I am certainly glad that I have found this book even now. It is so incredibly real and vibrant. And excruciatingly painful. And so funny. The range of characters were so well-drawn, and I was deeply drawn into their lives. I could not put it down, read it straight through from beginning to end in one very, very long day.

    And it triggered so many memories. Once I got contact lens, I too went out for football -- and everything changed, just as it did for Elijah in the book. And even in the 1950's, teen boy talk and banter was exactly the same, except for a few slang expressions. So, even though 61 years too late, the book has helped me deal with lingering issues that have remained with me all these years.

    In my view, this book will be illuminating not only for gay and bi boys, but all teens, both boys and girls -- and for adults, parents and teachers seeking insight into the turmoil of adolescense.. Highly recommended.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2014
    I have read all of Mark Roeder's books, and as someone who had once felt, quite strongly, called into ministry - this book truly resonated with me. I've probably read this book 10 times by now, and each time I laugh and cry as much as I did the first time. Like I said - it truly hit home with me. While some parts may seem a bit vulgar to some, this is a book I would recommend to any GLBT youth who are having troubles reconciling their faith and sexuality. It really helped me reconcile some issues I had been facing.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013
    Mark Roeder never disappoints me and this is another excellent book. There are many who find themselves connecting with the "antichrists and how dangerous and cruel they are. The addition of a very special character into this story makes me wish that we could borrow this character for a while in my state of South Carolina. unfortunately it would take an eternity to change the antichrists in this part of the world. As with all of Marks books, I enjoy many rereads as I find so much in the story that I had missed. I read too fast as I must learn what happenes on the next page and the next and the next.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2013
    In my humble opinion:
    1. I like the first person past tense voice. There's no better way to take one's self completely inside the central character's mind. Roeder has magnificently captured all of the nuances of his character's growth.
    2. Elijah goes through change of voice as he learns and grows. It begins with a young adolescent voice, then another change as he begins his search for identity and reconciling his spiritual beliefs. It reflects the nuances of an older adolescent. Follow this, with a third voice,during his death experience. And finally a fourth, of the pure joy of life.
    3. The story works on multiple levels. It provides a backstory in it's narrative. Roeder's characters always seem to have a realism to them. They come off as quite believable.
    4. The plot line never wavers. It's interesting how perfect his timeline works.

    The novel reminded me of a Dore' Schary story called "The Next. Voice You Hear".
    Just love your fellow man.
    Definitely written for 14 and older audience, due to it's graphic sexual scenes.
    What was especially refreshing to hear in good prose is the voice of the omniscient child, seeing the world through a child's eyes with knowledge of an adult.
    Five stars for the book. 4 stars because of the typos.
    Just my opinion.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
    I laughed, I cried, I cried some more...truly. I am just 2/3 through the novel, but man! Without giving away any spoilers, there is a certain character in this story; every time he speaks--without fail--I cry. His words are moving and important. They are words I have been waiting to hear my whole life, and Mr. Roeder captures them perfectly. The other characters are deeply real--complicated, confused, and unsure--just like the rest of us. I don't know how this story will end, but I am in it no matter what. Thanks, Mark!
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2017
    **no spoilers**
    I loved this book for its overall simplicity. It is a cute story about a boy coming out and fighting the demons that organized religion will often put into our heads. I think the organized religion part of it was a *little* drawn-out, and possibly a little heavy on the satire, but the point came across (we were practically beat over the head with it. I will let you decide if you felt the ending was appropriate. I will only say only that it will likely be polarizing with all the readers.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sprinkler_UK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2016
    I am working my way through the whole amazing series and this wonderful author delivers yet again. The characters are so engaging and the clever interplay of characters you know from previous books adds such a depth to the story. This particular book so clearly encapsulates the frightening views preached by the most extreme but counters it with a view of the real compassion that can be found in people. It has challenged me to think more deeply about my own views on religion.

    I will not give anything away but I spent the lase 2 hours reading with tears streaming down my cheeks and I'm glad, it proves how deeply I connected with this wonderful story.
  • TRIMONTIUM
    5.0 out of 5 stars A MIRACLE IN VERONA
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2013
    I was moved to tears sounds a bit trite, but I was, more than once by this book. It encapsulated the problem that young people, whatever their sexuality, have with the baggage that they inherit from their parents and their community. How to you establish your own values without trashing those of the ones you love. Can you be different without loosing all that you value? This book should fly off the shelves, but I don't expect that it will. It should be in every school and public library but it won't.
    I was impressed by this latest book from an author whom I have followed from start with Ancient Prejudiced. Read it, be impressed, read the rest. I hope that this story line will have further to go.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2017
    Yes there's religion but it makes you realise how difficult life as a sexually confused teenager in a religious family or community must be. Worth the read.
  • Tigerboy
    1.0 out of 5 stars Another ridiculous story from Roeder
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2024
    This tale follows in sequence from Scotty Jackson Dies …… which was a good story from Roeder. Unfortunately, this is full of ridiculous religious claptrap.

    What is it with so many Americans and banal religious beliefs? Parts of the States must be sheer hell to live in if people are really as naive as this! The story started well and was interesting but all too soon Roeder started bringing in absurd elements.

    He really is a Jekyll and Hyde type of writer. Some of his stories are very good but whenever he introduces ghosts, evil spirits or his god into his tales they change into laughably ridiculous nonsense. And to make things worse, many of his plots are revisited narratives from earlier tales. A pity he doesn’t aim for quality rather than quantity in his writing!