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Tilly
Kathy looked at the little gravestone again. Now she could see it clearly. It bore just that one name: Tilly. . . . She couldn't take her eyes away. She didn't want to. She stooped down to look. Only one date. Only one. Nine years ago.
Kathy and Dan Ross are just like any other young couple. No one would ever imagine what secrets lie buried in their souls until Kathy is captivated by that simple name on a tiny gravestone and their lives are changed forever. Originally presented as a radio drama on Focus on the Family, Tilly is a deeply moving novel-an unforgettable story of life, love, and Christ's forgiveness.
Kathy and Dan Ross are just like any other young couple. No one would ever imagine what secrets lie buried in their souls until Kathy is captivated by that simple name on a tiny gravestone and their lives are changed forever. Originally presented as a radio drama on Focus on the Family, Tilly is a deeply moving novel-an unforgettable story of life, love, and Christ's forgiveness.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
16 people are currently reading
2556 people want to read
About the author
Frank E. Peretti
85 books3,837 followersFROM HIS WEBSITE:
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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August 3, 2011I am a big fan of Frank Peretti, and having read almost every one of his books I can say that Tilly is completely different. Peretti normally gives details ad nauseum, but Tilly leaves a lot of things unsaid - left to the reader's imagination. Tilly is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. A very emotional ride that will leave almost anyone in tears. I read it in less than one hour, but I simply couldn't put it down. Peretti's books are usually very long, and I was surprised at Tilly's brevity, but the book will still jerk tears from almost anyone. It's a great read, quick, easy to understand but difficult because of the subject matter. It is impossible to read this little book and it not touch your heart.
November 23, 2009
SPOILER ALERT. This unusual offering from Frank Peretti captures very sensitively the dilemma that constitutes a woman's right to choose. With his gift of fantasy, Peretti takes a unique perspective and looks at this issue through the eyes of a child to remind the reader that all life matters to God and even these least among us are not forgotten or abandoned by Him.
April 14, 2018
Tilly is the title of the book and the single name on a small gravestone bearing only one date found by Mary and Dan one day while solitary mourners at an elderly man’s graveside service. When Mary tried to talk to the woman leaving flowers at Tilly’s headstone, she ran away.
Tilly is also a quick read, a beautiful mystery you will never forget. Thanks Jo for the recommendation. I picked up a used copy for a few dollars and will share it often. It is worth every penny! I could not put it down and want to go back now that I know the ending and read it more carefully looking for and savoring all the little details.
March 30, 2018: My friend, Jo, wrote a lovely review of this book and recommended it to me. All the others she has recommended have been sure winners! Thanks dear one! bl
Tilly is also a quick read, a beautiful mystery you will never forget. Thanks Jo for the recommendation. I picked up a used copy for a few dollars and will share it often. It is worth every penny! I could not put it down and want to go back now that I know the ending and read it more carefully looking for and savoring all the little details.
March 30, 2018: My friend, Jo, wrote a lovely review of this book and recommended it to me. All the others she has recommended have been sure winners! Thanks dear one! bl
March 23, 2018
Oh what a lovely little book! I was so surprised by the content and I read it with a lump in my throat. When Kathy spots a tiny grave stone in the local cemetry with just one word written on it she feels compelled to find out more. Both Kathy and her husband Dan are pulled into the past where they must face their decisions and come to terms with their grief. This story is one of hope, forgiveness and a promise of the love of Jesus for us all no matter what we have done. I don't want to say what the topic because it would spoil the surprise but it is a wonderful read.
October 7, 2016
This book has a very clear-cut agenda that is not remotely lightly pushed. It's also incredibly boring and as far as I can tell, nothing actually happens throughout the entire book.
I'd like to point out that such a late abortion as this one would have been a wanted pregnancy and thus would have been done because the main character's life was at risk or the fetus would not have survived anyway. At best, I can say that this book is clearly one-sided on a sensitive issue. The author has clearly done very little research into the topic of abortion. I honestly question if he even did any research to learn how abortions were performed when this story takes place or just regurgitated the vomit from other agenda-pushers.
The author never delved into how Kathy's life would have been different if she had been able to keep Tilly. For example, if she would have even had her other children, or even been alive, assuming she had the abortion for health reasons. Again, it never really talked about that. One wonders if the author even considered that abortions exist for a reason.
This book only left me with more questions.
In the Tilly universe, do miscarriages go to heaven too? 1/3 of all pregnancies end in miscarriages, often before the woman even knows she's pregnant. Or does it go back further? Are all the unfertilized eggs in heaven? All the ejaculated sperm? Where does it end?
If anything, this seems to be in favor of abortion because they get to live in heaven forever and be happy. Or maybe I'm not understanding why that's bad.
I'd like to point out that such a late abortion as this one would have been a wanted pregnancy and thus would have been done because the main character's life was at risk or the fetus would not have survived anyway. At best, I can say that this book is clearly one-sided on a sensitive issue. The author has clearly done very little research into the topic of abortion. I honestly question if he even did any research to learn how abortions were performed when this story takes place or just regurgitated the vomit from other agenda-pushers.
The author never delved into how Kathy's life would have been different if she had been able to keep Tilly. For example, if she would have even had her other children, or even been alive, assuming she had the abortion for health reasons. Again, it never really talked about that. One wonders if the author even considered that abortions exist for a reason.
This book only left me with more questions.
In the Tilly universe, do miscarriages go to heaven too? 1/3 of all pregnancies end in miscarriages, often before the woman even knows she's pregnant. Or does it go back further? Are all the unfertilized eggs in heaven? All the ejaculated sperm? Where does it end?
If anything, this seems to be in favor of abortion because they get to live in heaven forever and be happy. Or maybe I'm not understanding why that's bad.
August 24, 2012
I stood and absorbed this book in a Christian bookstore while my mother shopped. Unaware of my experience with abortion, this was my first taste of forgiveness and healing and began my LONG journey of recovery. Simple, sweet and profound, it is one of my favorite reads!
May 19, 2025
A beautiful and heart touching story of one woman's past and how it is effecting her family in the present.
I truly loved reading this story, I never heard the radio drama for it, but now I want to listen to that as well. It does touch on some very sensitive topics of being a mom, so make sure to look those up. But I feel like this book could also be helpful, giving hope and learning to lean on the Lord and knowing that He has forgiven you, you only have to receive that love and forgiveness.
*thank you to Crossway for a complimentary copy of this book to read, all thoughts are my own.
I truly loved reading this story, I never heard the radio drama for it, but now I want to listen to that as well. It does touch on some very sensitive topics of being a mom, so make sure to look those up. But I feel like this book could also be helpful, giving hope and learning to lean on the Lord and knowing that He has forgiven you, you only have to receive that love and forgiveness.
*thank you to Crossway for a complimentary copy of this book to read, all thoughts are my own.
December 29, 2025
Heavy and heartbreaking, but very touching.
August 27, 2017
Three stars for Peretti, one star for Jesus. "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb." Jeremiah 1:5
This novella began as a radio play, which goes a long way toward explaining why it's not at all characteristic of Peretti's style. It's brief and to the point, with very little characterization and almost no world building. We know there is Jeff and Kristy and a couple other people and that's it. And the story is Kristy's vision of meeting Tilly-- a child who has no parent except her Heavenly Father.
It's a novel of essential comfort for any woman--couple, really--who has ever lost a child. Tilly is a surgically aborted child but the novel spoke to me deeply as someone who miscarried a dearly desired child. All those babies are children of God. Each baby, child, person is a unique spirit and loved dearly by God. Those babies we lose, or kill, grow in His presence and in His love. That's deeply comforting.
This novella began as a radio play, which goes a long way toward explaining why it's not at all characteristic of Peretti's style. It's brief and to the point, with very little characterization and almost no world building. We know there is Jeff and Kristy and a couple other people and that's it. And the story is Kristy's vision of meeting Tilly-- a child who has no parent except her Heavenly Father.
It's a novel of essential comfort for any woman--couple, really--who has ever lost a child. Tilly is a surgically aborted child but the novel spoke to me deeply as someone who miscarried a dearly desired child. All those babies are children of God. Each baby, child, person is a unique spirit and loved dearly by God. Those babies we lose, or kill, grow in His presence and in His love. That's deeply comforting.
February 11, 2012
This morning I read a novella by Frank Peretti whose novels This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness were favorites of mine a long time ago. I should add them to my re-read list, even though Randy Alcorn is now my favorite Christian author. Tilly was a quick and easy read, though certainly not light. A couple at a funeral catches sight of a lone mourner at a gravestone that simply says "Tilly" with one date on it and sets into motion memories of a family tragedy. A very emotional story but one of peace and forgiveness as well. There were questions unanswered that bothered me a little but maybe the reasons weren't important to the story. I enjoyed it.
August 15, 2009
I didn't like anything about this story. I thought it was very poorly-written and treated its main theme in a one-sided, simplistic way that didn't draw you in and make you care about the characters or the story itself. A simplistic style can be very effective but Tilly read as if it were written by the average grade-schooler, having so little depth of emotion for such a potentially powerful theme. Rarely have I ever felt that a book totally wasted my time, but this one did.
May 28, 2020
Tilly by Frank Peretti
The book starts with a women who has a dream and meets a little girl (Tilly) who claims to have no family. As it turns out, Tilly is this woman's daughter (killed by an abortion). The forgiveness Tilly shows towards her mother is beautiful.
This book is both heartbreaking as well as eye opening to the horrors of abortion.
The book starts with a women who has a dream and meets a little girl (Tilly) who claims to have no family. As it turns out, Tilly is this woman's daughter (killed by an abortion). The forgiveness Tilly shows towards her mother is beautiful.
This book is both heartbreaking as well as eye opening to the horrors of abortion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2017
This was a sweet book. I think it could have been longer, but that's pretty much my only complaint. I got it for my birthday- glad I finally got around to reading it:)
December 26, 2018
A heartrending, eye-opening story that shows the true heart of Jesus. It deals with abortion in a truly moving way. I pray this book touches many.
November 12, 2022
My dad recommended this book to me. It’s a very quick and easy read! It is real and sweet and sad but it depicts emotions I am sure a lot of women in similar scenarios have or are even afraid to have.
May 6, 2021
Best-selling author Frank E. Peretti, famous for supernatural Christian thrillers like THE OATH and THE VISITATION, here turns his considerable literary skills to the smaller, more personal story of a woman struggling to come to terms with a past sin and its eternal consequences. When Kathy and Dan Ross stumble upon a strangely familiar woman praying over an unusual tombstone, a series of events is triggered that will force Kathy to turn to the only light that can dispell the darkness smothering her life and marriage: her Savior's forgiveness. Not a long story, TILLY is a tight, quick-reading novella that flows irresistibly. Peretti does wonders with short, concise descriptions and characterizations that give TILLY a believability often missed in longer works. Not a throwaway escapist work of fiction, TILLY digs deep into the human heart to wrestle with two important themes no man or woman can ever really deny: the reality of our sin and the promise of love and redemption in spite of it. TILLY is a moving, heartwarming tale that everyone should read at least once. It will break your heart--and put it back together again.
December 28, 2014
Kathy and Dan Ross are attending a service at the cemetery for a man they didn't know hardly at all. When the service is over and they are getting ready to head home, Kathy sees a woman kneeling by a grave. The woman is crying and appears to be talking to herself. Something about this scene draws Kathy to move closer. Dan tries to stop her, but Kathy pulls away. Kathy just wants to see the name on the stone. Her approach startles the woman and she runs off. The only thing on the tiny stone is the name "Tilly" and a date. This encounter starts a journey that will change Kathy and Dan forever.
I have had this book for years, and have read it often. There is something compelling about it. It touches on a sensitive issue with warmth and caring. Love it!!
I have had this book for years, and have read it often. There is something compelling about it. It touches on a sensitive issue with warmth and caring. Love it!!
March 25, 2012
Depending on what your views are on abortion will determine whether or not you like this book. It is a very heartwarming story of God's forgiveness towards us when we make choices we think are good at the time, yet turn out so painful.
November 8, 2007
This book had a great point behind it, and was told in a neat way.
April 24, 2012
I've read this book again and again and again. It touches me deeply every time I read it. It's well worth the short read, make sure you have a box of tissues close at hand.
September 19, 2020
My mother made me read this traumatizing book as a child.
March 29, 2021
The nameless children, the unwanted ones are home with Jesus, He will wipe away all their tears and pain. May they all be forgiven!!!
October 17, 2022
Spoiler Alert: This book is about a woman's right to choose. And forgiveness.
I would highly recommend going to a book store, get a cup of coffee/tea/etc. and read the book. I read this story in less than an hour.
Some women are forced to choose to abort (I am not judging even though I am pro-life). This is a story of a woman who did choose and was haunted by the experience.
The best part... God loves us no matter what. We are forgiven.
I would highly recommend going to a book store, get a cup of coffee/tea/etc. and read the book. I read this story in less than an hour.
Some women are forced to choose to abort (I am not judging even though I am pro-life). This is a story of a woman who did choose and was haunted by the experience.
The best part... God loves us no matter what. We are forgiven.
October 17, 2024
This book is not similar at all to Frank Peretti’s other novels. For one, it’s about 1/10 the length.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not as good. I enjoyed it in the 3 hours it took me to read it. It’s also very sad. I (almost) cried after reading it. Overall a very poignant book that will definitely stay with me.
Rated somewhere between PG and PG-13 because the theme of abortion is very prevalent in this book.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not as good. I enjoyed it in the 3 hours it took me to read it. It’s also very sad. I (almost) cried after reading it. Overall a very poignant book that will definitely stay with me.
Rated somewhere between PG and PG-13 because the theme of abortion is very prevalent in this book.
May 27, 2019
Powerful read
December 30, 2024
A very powerful little story, though a tad confusing for a while. Very emotional.
May 5, 2025
I read this book years ago and to this day it is a wonderful story for those struggling with the shame of a past abortion. There is forgiveness and healing in Christ.
February 6, 2024
Short, quick read, but it packs a punch.
August 8, 2019
Tilly is a touching novella about a woman coming to terms with something from her past that she regrets. It begins when a husband and wife, Kathy and Dan, are in a cemetery, and she spots a gravestone with the name Tilly one it, and only one date. From that point on, she can't get that gravestone out of her mind, to the detriment of her family.
I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading, but it was short, and Peretti is my favorite writer. According to the back of the book, it was originally a radio drama, and it took me somewhere between 1-1.5 hours to read it.
Maybe because of my experience with Peretti's other works, I expected more of a mystery than this book contained. In fact, if you read the synopsis on Goodreads, half of the book is almost unnecessary (thankfully I didn't look the book up on Goodreads at all before reading it, though I normally do).
A good amount of the book is spent in a dream, with beautiful imagery and tender moments, as Kathy comes to grips with a mistake she made in the past, which has affected her family for 9 years. The reason for the past choice is not expounded on, which was probably one of the things I most wished was different about the story.
No matter what the past decision was that Kathy and Dan regret, the important message in this story is of the forgiveness we can have in Christ, though I'll admit it's only lightly presented. Maybe the greater message is that, even when we know Christ has forgiven us, sometimes we are unable to let go of that mistake, and that until we do, we will never truly feel we can accept God's forgiveness.
I would recommend this light read to anyone who struggles with past mistakes, especially those they might consider unforgivable, but also for anyone interested in dramatic Christian stories.
I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading, but it was short, and Peretti is my favorite writer. According to the back of the book, it was originally a radio drama, and it took me somewhere between 1-1.5 hours to read it.
Maybe because of my experience with Peretti's other works, I expected more of a mystery than this book contained. In fact, if you read the synopsis on Goodreads, half of the book is almost unnecessary (thankfully I didn't look the book up on Goodreads at all before reading it, though I normally do).
A good amount of the book is spent in a dream, with beautiful imagery and tender moments, as Kathy comes to grips with a mistake she made in the past, which has affected her family for 9 years. The reason for the past choice is not expounded on, which was probably one of the things I most wished was different about the story.
No matter what the past decision was that Kathy and Dan regret, the important message in this story is of the forgiveness we can have in Christ, though I'll admit it's only lightly presented. Maybe the greater message is that, even when we know Christ has forgiven us, sometimes we are unable to let go of that mistake, and that until we do, we will never truly feel we can accept God's forgiveness.
I would recommend this light read to anyone who struggles with past mistakes, especially those they might consider unforgivable, but also for anyone interested in dramatic Christian stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews