Man whose young daughter is kidnapped and killed gets to meet God, face to face... wow! ( )

On the surface The Shack by William Young is an exciting drama with a lengthy discussion making up the bulk of the story. It's likely that you've heard about The Shack, but the book's description was shallow and unhelpful. So allow me to frustrate you even further. Keeping from all spoilers, it is impossible for anyone to explain this book. I think even the back cover goes too far in spoiling the plot. So I will keep to my standard book review formula and hope it is sufficient.From the start Mr. Young does a wonderful job of keeping the reader's attention. The introduction hints at a grandeur of events to come, but there are several modest peaks of excitement that lead up to the big climax. Young does are wonderful job of corralling the story from being a one-hit wonder. Before the plot turns to the main contention, the minor events leading up are engrossing.With that said, this book does not read like a sixth grade persuasion essay. It's a smart portrayal of a subject matter often riddled with tawdry proverbs. The depth of the story is best stated within the book itself."Mack, there is far more going on herethan you have the ability to perceive. Letme assure you, all of this is very much real,far more real than life as you've known it."In closing, this has been one of the most difficult reviews I've ever written. I get paid to write, but for me to try and summarize The Shack and give a review has been a stretch of my ability. My highest endorsement of this book is the best I can do, but that leaves us back at the shallow and unhelpful explanation I hinted to at the first of this review. I digress. Read the damn book. ( )

"The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young, got me thinking how I suppose to connect with a spiritual been that could bring me peace in times that I think they’re impossible to survive. This book is about a girl, Missy, who was kidnapped and then killed. Years later, her father is vulnerable and he gets a letter saying that god wants to meet with him in the same shack that his daughter was murdered. God only wants that Mackenzie learns that he is not alone in this world despite all the hurt this world has to give to every single person. ( )

The synopsis of this book caught my attention right away and so did the first few chapters but as I continued to read this novel I became a bit disappointed. I enjoyed the spiritual aspect of this book to an extent but I think it just ended up being not to my taste. If you are a wonderfully religious soul I say this books is for you. It had some great descriptions that will take your imagination beyond it's limits but my low rating simply has to do with the fact it was a little too religious to keep me interested. ( )

A clumsily written parable in which a bereaved father, Mack, is invited by God to the site of his daughter’s murder. When he arrives he is taken to visit the Trinity, Papa, the father appears as a black woman, the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman, Jesus as himself, but not as handsome looking as Mack anticipated. Sophia also puts in an appearance as a Hispanic woman. He learns that the human desire for independence is the root of all evil, and that God only wants to heal. Implicit as a theological background is the Fall of Man and atonement on the cross. God doesn’t want rules or judgment only relationships. Mack has a vision of his daughter in heaven, is reconciled with his own abusive father, and forgives his daughter’s murderer before being returned to his normal state of existence. ( )

My mom gave me this book last Christmas and it took me forever to pick it up and read it. However, once I began, I could not put it down. Based on a true story, a father has lost his youngest daughter to a child predator. His meeting with the Trinity in the shack where his daughter was murdered, brings him peace and resolution to not only her loss and death, but to his own understanding of who God really is and what he requires of us, his children. I found the book to be uplifting and it definitely brings hope to those who read it. ( )

This is one of the only books I have not been able to finish. It's trite, uninspired, and flat-out boring, whatever you feel about the theology behind it. I had to put it down 50 pages in, and I haven't looked back (though I might end up forced to finish it if only so I can summarize it for my grandparents, who gifted it to me in the first place). ( )

A very interesting book about a man who "meets" God and spends a weekend with him. ( )

http://radiergummi.wordpress.com/2009... ( )

A great read. I did not take it as a theological treatise but took two messages: God is not always who we think He is and forgiveness is freeing. Great messages that are consistent with scripture.

Given to me by my friend Bryan, I carried this book with me for almost a year before I got around to reading it from start to finish.As good a book as any to (re)introduce a person to God's existence and grace. This read levels the playing field of wonder and while it may not agree with historical definitions of faith... it opens the door to a new found sense of wonder and enlightenment.I would recommend this book to anyone who believes, but is not convinced... ( )

I enjoy watching God. I marvel at what & how He creates. Even so, this book expanded my vision of God. It helped eliminate the tainted human perspective and allowed me to explore God in a newly exciting, imaginative way. Don't really care if it's true. It is helpful & undoubtedly given by God to refresh the spirit and the relationship between Him and the reader. ( )

A pleasant read. It reminded me of Conversations with God and the Celestine Prophecy. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is spiritual. ( )

I bought this book (thankfully) before all the hype not knowing what exactly it was about and without any 'expectations'. I thought it was excellent, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the characters and explanations for their presence. I loved the author's subtle sense of humour and would recommend it. ( )

couldn't get through this book ( )

It took me long enough to read this but it was worth it. I loved how this author made God come alive in these characters that he chose to portray Him. This just proves that you never know where God may be. I kind of expected the ending but in this book that did not change the excitement. I was so proud of him when he forgave the murderer of his daughter, but I really do not think that I could have . This would make an amazing movie. ( )

I like The Shack for it's enlightening view on God's place in our lives, and I also appreciate the lengthy explanations of the trinity. The most powerful section for me is when Mack "reunites" with his father, which is perhaps symbolic of the author forgiving his own father for the abuse he suffered as a child. The book is not well-written, but it's not intended to be; rather, it is the author's way of working through the grief in his own life. ( )

One of the best spiritual books I have ever read.  If you take everything in the Bible as literal - then this book is not for you.  But if you are willing and able to think outside of the box about who God is, then this is a must read.  This book as a sum is rather uninteresting, but take the parts, the great lines about God and who he/she really is and it is a gem of a read.  I feel like I am a better person for having read The Shack and the relationships I have with others will benefit also. ( )

Very interesting.... the story about the daughter was very touching. The middle dragged a bit. I did like the enlightening view on religion. ( )

Interesting concepts. The author attempts to deconstruct our traditional views of God by such techniques as portraying him as a large black woman. It's not quite what I think of when I think of God, but it's very clever!

In some ways, the ideas of the book are interesting, but I did not find much unique or original in it (most of the ideas presented I had already thought about in relationship to God). One thing was interesting to me that I had not considered before: by lying to his wife in order to "protect" her from the hurtfulness of the truth, he inadvertently prevented her from receiving the wonderful blessing of meeting God in the shack. So often we lie to prevent others from feeling pain. Who are we to judge what others can and cannot, should and should not handle? Is the truth always more important than emotion or even mental stability? By not telling the truth or being completely honest, do we hinder other people from opportunities to grow? Something to think about.

One thing that I think the book should have addressed more fully is the issue of God's wrath. God did destroy people in the Old Testament. Not just "allowed" them to be destroyed by the consequences of their actions, but actively destroyed them - sometimes in such drastic means as opening up the earth and swallowing them whole. How do you reconcile this with the author's concept of God's kindness and love? I have my ideas on this subject, but I think the author writes this off too easily with an appeal to emotion rather than intellect. ( )

This is a book that will open your eyes to to new world... a world that has you in a relationship with Jesus. It was fascinating and moving. The story was told as if "you" were the main character. And it unveils things in our lives that we just hang on too..... A Must Read. ... Moving and will change the way you think and act to others and most important ...."yourself". ( )

Well-written story of why bad things happen to good people. The author knows how to explain this difficult fact of life. ( )

Being my first ebook on my Cooler ereader, I wanted to get to the end! I'm not sure I would have done if I'd bought the paperback. I thought it was poorly written. The characterisation was weak, there was little feeling of suspense and the plot didn't move on very well. I think if you take it as a vehicle for a spiritual message then you may enjoy it and get a lot from it, but it shouldn't win any prizes for skilful writing. The book aims to paint a picture of what God is like, in the three persons of the Trinity, dispelling preconceived ideas about who God is and what God wants of us. It deals with the question of how can you believe or trust in God in a world full of pain and evil, and attempts to answer the question of how God can let this happen and still be good. I have a feeling that this book will be read by people who are already Christians, who wish to deepen their understanding of their faith. I'm afraid I found it unconvincing, but I know many people have been touched and deeply affected by it. ( )

Sadly, it was one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing wasn't great, the story was very predictable. Highly disappointing waste of time. ( )

If you aren't spiritual, or your spirituality doesn't have room for a Christian take on God, you won't be able to get through this without your eyes hurting from all the rolling they'll be doing.

While there is a little twist on the usual understanding of God, it is very Christian in concept and could be very comforting if you can relax into the story. There is no action, no excitement and not really much character development, outside of conversations that are intended to "educate" the reader about the love of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Keeping all that in mind, it's an engaging study of a man's belief, and how his belief comforted him after a tragedy. For what it is, it is well done. ( )