The Shack

At the end of this book, it really felt like a true story. I mean I had to convince myself over and over that it was fiction. It was a story/vision that I believe many could relate to. I do love Christian fiction that is not over the top and in your face that everyone can enjoy without feeling like they are being preached at.

Being an atheist interested by religion and spirituality, I found this to be a fascinating work of theological theorizing, told in the language of emotion, of superlatives: a language unconcerned with literary merit.

Unfortunately, this attitude towards creating a conversational and simplistic style adversely impacts the postulates of the book. The ending, though initially surprising, loses steam quickly, giving the impression that the author had little more to say about the simplicity and mundaneness of living in a world without the physical presence of G-d, that he lost interest in depicting this “unreal world”, which makes the finale feel empty. It would seem the undermine the concept of living within G-d at all times, and recognizing G-d residing within oneself at all times; the stylistic shift - from expansive and magical to abrupt and disengaged- tends toward discrediting the most basic and overarching doctrine of the work.

Having said that, I found this to be possibly one of the most accessible conceptualizations of the Trinity which I have read.

Nem sou cristão, mas que livro lindo, as mensagens de amor estão acima das mensagens religiosas, o que me agradou muito

This book changed my life for the better the very first time that I read it. It changes my life each time I re-read it as well, because it reminds me just how much God loves me. This is still my favorite book of all time. I've read it more than a few times as well. Each time I set a goal to read thru it without getting emotional at all about it, but I just cannot do it. Might have something to do with the fact that I have two daughters, I'm thinkin'...

In regards to all these comments about how people think this book is blasphemous, it is possible to read this book and still believe in the ultimate power of God, and so forth. I don't think the author is trying to make a point that he believes that God is just a man (or woman) or anything like that. I think he makes God's character the way it is in the book to get the reader to see their relationship with God from a different, and possibly more personal point of view. Just my two cents though, and what do I know? Nothing, lol.

1.5 star read. Highly disappointing. Overly simplistic. Not realistic and slightly corny. This story tries to present a plot line of overcoming adversity by eating breakfast with God,Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a fictional dream world log cabin. I found this book an unsuccessful attempt at trying to make religion more contemporary and relevant in modern literature. Wasn't my cup of tea. Too far fetched for me. Maybe you can have better luck with it than I did. Good luck to all you who try!

I don't know if I agree with everything in the book, but it's a good story nonetheless. And it does offer some good insights. However, after giving it more thought, consideration and research, I'm editing my rating down to 2 stars. There are just too many false teachings in this book for me to really feel comfortable with it. There's just enough truth here to make it dangerous. Parts of it are good indeed, but a lot is either too vague or contrary to what God himself has said in his word.

Update May 2017

Back up to 3 stars. I'm more open minded now than I was when I first read this book, and as a result I think I'm able to better appreciate the beauty here. Mr. Young does have some good things to say, things that many broken hearts need.

That said, along with the words of truth and beauty are words that directly or indirectly contradict scripture.

I can recommend this if you're curious and want to see what all the fuss is about, provided you, 1. remember this is fiction, not a theology book, and 2. keep your discernment hat on tight.

his is like...at its core.........kind of a nice idea...poorly executed. But it doesn't seem...actively harmful...it's just very strange. More on the podcast...

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-71-the-shack/

I really did enjoy this book and I liked reading a different view of the Trinity. Although I did not agree with everything the author wrote, there were a fair amount of sentences I highlighted. Overall, I would recommend this book because it brings a new perspective.

I really liked the portrayal of God in The Shack. It gave me a lot of things to think about.

I'd like to be able to give this four stars. It was a nice concept, and very comforting. I definitely recommend it for people who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” which seems to be pretty vogue now. The theology in a lot of this is shaky, but it was never meant to replace the Bible. This basically how the author sorts through his relationship with the Trinity, but it need not be how you sort through yours. I wish I had more to say. I'll read it again another time and maybe I'll see it in a different light.

Very interesting book. Something to keep in mind is that this is not a true story, so there is no Missy, or that whole thing. I don't think the author claims this view of God as ‘holy' or ‘devine' or any of that, I think if anything, he just gives people a chance to imagine what it would be like if you got to sit down with the Creator of the Universe, how would that visit go? A great start to think about what God really thinks of us... and what we are supposed to do when bad things happen, or when we get angry at God.

I read this book several years ago but I couldn't remember much about it. I came across another copy so I read it again. I remember hearing other people talk about it and it seemed there were three camps. There are those that loved it, those that hated it, and those were afraid to say what they thought about it.

Many of those that hated it had a problem with God being depicted as a black woman. I thought this was very clever because it brings out the prejudges of people. God is not black or white or male or female. Anyone who believes in God knows that God is not limited to any one of those things.

I really enjoyed the story, although it was very sad, but I enjoyed the way things were wrapped up. I got a lot out of the chapter A Morning of Sorrows which talked about forgiveness.

I have to admit I didn't like everything about this book and what was said and some things I will have to continue to chew on for a while. I do plan to go back to this book later and think about these things some more. I have ordered a hardcover copy for my permanent library.

Best book of the year for me!

As much as it was a hyped book, I really did enjoy it on it's own merits. I think anyone, believer in God or not, could benefit from reading this book - especially if you are currently or have recently suffered great loss. While it's obviously written from a Christian (or perhaps disgruntled Christian is more accurate) perspective, there's much to learn about our world and why bad things happen and perhaps, why God seems to allow them to happen.