Have you read it, or heard about

[✨ABookGirl✨memoirs are my jam✨]

Julie, I agree. I couldn't finish it. It dragged on so much. I felt like each chapter had the same thing going on but with different bits here and there.

[Kathryn]

I thought it was a very powerful book and one I want to read again!!!

[Kevin]

As a Christian, I have heard many different opinions on this book. From life changing to heretical. I read it, and it definitely got my attention up front with the subject matter. I thought, "Wow, for a 'religious' book to describe this!" As a father, it hit emotionally - the horrible tragedy is hard to comprehend, but this stuff happens way too much. When the author brought in the different "views" of God, I was a little skeptical, but like many other reviewers, it is a fictional book. And like a lot of other books, I may not agree with certain things, but it is good for discussion. There was one quote that has stuck with me, and this doesn't happen much, so I know that the book had an impact on me. The quote, paraphrasing, went something like this - If any one thing is important, then everything is important. The quote alone is a great discussion starter.

[Brenda]

I just finished this book today and I have only one word to dicsribe it WOW.

[Jeanna]

I read it, not knowing what to expect. It definitely made me go hmmm, but it did not make me go Oh I'm so suddenly enlightened. I did like the be book. There were parts where I loved what I was reading and smiled and felt warm with the descriptions... then boom that writing was gone and I was left longing for it. After I was finished with the book I started reading the reviews. I was really hoping that I wouldn't find people liking it "just" because it was about a man who "found God 'Papa'". There was more to the story than that. I am a Christian, I don't routinely go to church, but I love God and I try very hard to live my life as a good person. What I won't do is pass this book along to others in hopes of a conversion, which unfortunately I have been reading that some are doing. I am not sure that this is what the author intended.
I had a hard time finishing the book. I am not sure why, whether its because I didn't want it to end, or if I wasn't ready for it to end, or if it was the writing, I am just not quite sure why? Just can't quite put my finger on this book. What I can say is that I liked it, I didn't LOVE it, but I liked it. I do think it is a book you can pick up and re-read and various points in your life and maybe learn something new about it - possibly. There are interviews with the author that I think I am going to listen to. Maybe this will help me a bit. It's nice to see the varying opinions here on GR.

[Erin-Yvonne]

Jeremy wrote: "Mahaley wrote: "Jeremy wrote: "I have to balance out this thread. I did not care for this book much at all. I agree with the comment that this was much longer than necessary. I am a person that ..."

Jeremy wrote: "I have to balance out this thread. I did not care for this book much at all. I agree with the comment that this was much longer than necessary. I am a person that likes long books. But I felt t..."

God can be anyone around you or anything around you, it's not a matter of who the character reminds you of, it's a matter that he made the character real and down to earth to anyone who reads the book. I'm not saying that everyone should find the characters appealing, it's more like looking past them and more into yourself and see how much of this story affects you inside and those who are around you. there are many lessons to be taken out of this story and if you believe in the LORD than the story will fill you and it will bring a new light into the way you think.

[Rosetta]

this book was an eye opener for me and give me some serious food for thought as to how we are taught to think and our spiritul selfs and our relationships with God. It helped to accept the passing of my father last year. this is a good book to read, opens the door for discussions on spirituality and religion.

[Bailey]

I have met Paul Young (yes, he goes by Paul)and have heard him speak. He can get to the heart of things quicker than anyone I've ever heard, feels like he's speaking directly to you. Paul wrote this story because his wife asked him to. She said that since he "thinks so differently" than others, she wanted him to write something down for their children, a sample of the way his mind works. That effort turned into THE SHACK, and it has had profound effects on many thousands of readers. That alone made it worth the writing.

[Tara]

I loved this book!! It reminded me that we are all here as a small part of something amazing...just a peice of a story & even tho our lives may not be what we want or expected dosent mean we should lose sight of our purpose as Christians...To serve & praise our Lord at ALL times because he NEVER abandons us.

[Julia]

Tara, Bailey and Rosetta - I agree with you!! There were many different opinions about this book - and everybody is entitled to their opinion I suppose. A lot of Christians have different opinions about it. For me, I accepted the fact that my parents are going to die and I was more at peace about it - the fear held me captive for many years. Now I have a husband, but I can't say the same thing about him ... he-he. Maybe I should read it again!!

[Kendra]

I loved this book! Many times I was crying and laughing at the same time. I think that we all need to "tend to our garden" at different times throughout our life.

[Karen]

I did find this discussion after I posted asking if any one had read this book. It started off very good but now I am in the middle and I think it's getting very weird. Don't think that I am going to be able to finish it.

[Tara]

Karen...stick to it & finish...I dnt think u will be disappointed.=)

[Karen]

maybe I will go back to it when I feel in the mood for this kind of book. For now I have moved on to another book which I find very good.

[Phillip]

I am going to tell you that this is the greatest book I have ever read. I am a Christian, and this is a GREAT book to help understand the relationship that God seeks with us.

[Teresa]

I am so glad to find the section where people who enjoyed the book had posted. I originally started reading all the negative reviews and was beginning to get my feelings hurt. I REALLY enjoyed this book. As a woman who didn't have a very good relationship with her father, it has always been hard to accept the notion of a loving Father God. This book touched places that really needed to be healed. It was just what the doctor ordered.

[Ray]

My wife read the book. Didn't like it, but several friends did. I didn't bother reading it. I was asked a few times to check it out. Then finally a friend just handed a book over to me and said, "Read it." I did and loved it. His imagination just flowed through the entire book. I did not get hung up on the trilogy thing. It was an engaging fictional story that made you think.

[Shannon]

I loved this book!!!!!!!!! It made me closer to God and it made me appreciate my siblings more :)

I agree with Ray, it does make you think.

This book seemed really real to me, I felt like what happened did actually happen. I think that it is aimed towards an older audience because of the sophisticated language techniques used but I still enjoyed it!!!!

[Scotti]

I READ ALL OF IT. BUT, I put it down several times and would not have finished it unless several friends who knew me well told me I HAD to keep going because once I got to the middle, I would love it. They were right. But the first have was really slow for me. Also, if your religious beliefs and imagination cannot stray "out of the box," or you are a very prejudice person, you probably won't like this. Whether it is Fiction or Nonfiction didn't matter to me. There is so much truth in all fiction. How can you say a dream or a vision or a belief (or an experience)is fiction or nonfiction? The problem is you really have to read the first half to "get" the second half. But it is a short book. Give it a shot.

[Scotti]

Connie wrote: "Not great literature, but it might help someone cope with a death in their family. It presents a very loving God.
I only finished it because I was reading it for a book club."

You are right. I have always had a strong faith; but when I lost my daughter five years ago, that faith didn't have all the answers and help I needed. That is why so many friends told me I had to finish this book. From the middle to the end, I hardly stopped crying. I am starting to cry now just sharing this. It did help me. Along with a lot of other things like grief counseling and really wonderful friends.

[Jill]

I read this book twice. Definitely on my list of favorites. I must admit that the first time I read it, I was so sidetracked by one of the characters (God in gender) I couldn't absorb the deeper meanings intended by the author who seems to have written this book with the intent to help others along who may have insecurities about their relationship with God. After reading it again about a year and a half later, I was able to put that aside & enjoy the book from cover to cover. It certainly gives you many things to ponder no matter your religious background.

[Teresa]

One of my favorite books. It will be one I reread often. Find myself telling people about it all the time. Some look at me like I've lost my mind, others are right there with me.

[Adri]

I am often hesitant to read books like this. But once I started I could not stop. Highly recommended. One of those books which leaves you with a sense of hope.

[Joann]

I loved this book I gave this book to everyone in my family. It renewed my faith.

[Julia]

Love the last few comments!! This book wasn't written to be the novel of the year. Check his website and hear him talking about it. I got a lot out of it. My Dad read it and made a research afterwards - writing in his journal, using it in his quiet time etc. He is not well at the moment and re-reading the book again ... :)

[Chelsea]

I read it a long time ago and loved it :D

[Adri]

Scotti wrote: "Connie wrote: "Not great literature, but it might help someone cope with a death in their family. It presents a very loving God.
I only finished it because I was reading it for a book club."

You ..."

So sorry about your loss and so glad that this book helped you. God bless.

[C.J.]

This book was terrible.

[Viviana D.]

Mahaley wrote: "I've not read it but I've heard about it. see my ma maw read it she says its awesome. here is what it is about ( Mackenzie Allen Phillips youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family..."

It wasn't a fantastic read, but it sends a strong message about life, love, and spirituality.

[Chere]

I've got to say this book is a very sad attempt at explaining The Trinity. If we want The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit to be small and ineffective- then this works just fine... So sad that so many have settled for this as truth.

[Julia]

Chere wrote: "I've got to say this book is a very sad attempt at explaining The Trinity. If we want The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit to be small and ineffective- then this works just fine... So sad that ..."

With all respect Chere - I do think it's a little bit unfair that you say it's sad that so many have settled for this as truth. You are more than entitled to your opinion on whether you like the book or not. But as I said before earlier on - this wasn't supposed to be the novel of the year or a correct theological book.

Not sure what you mean by making the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit small and ineffective - I don't see it like that at all and I most certainly don't think the author was trying to do that. Maybe go and listen what the author says on his website and hear his heart. :)

[Chere]

Julia and Hazel
I stand by my earlier comment. It is, after all my opinion on this book.
I have read it and know what the author was getting at. My concern is that it is considered theological fiction... it is un-biblical and I am bothered by the fact that it has been so rampant in its being received as an answer to "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" With people stating:“This book is a life-changer, a transformer.” “[The Shack] has become a favorite book OF ALL TIME.” “I am changed. I pray indelibly. My oh my!”
This may be a way for people to begin to be open to the reality of Christ- and the church or The Body (to which it blatantly opposes and belittles) I am not saying that the church is perfect- none of us is, which is why we need to be hearing/reading about the actual truth and not some watered-down & strangely new idea-led version.
THIS is just some of what is bothersome to me...

[Marni]

Read it. Not a favorite but worth a read.

[Luci]

read it and liked it! I think it is a must read!

[Teresa]

The way I look at it, anything that opens us up to a closer relationship with God is a good thing. It may not be "theological fiction" but if it stirs a desire to search out the Word and find the true Jesus, then how can it be a bad thing? I don't think anyone has said that it is a great theological truth, just one man's presentation of his heart. And I, for one, loved the presentation of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as so approachable and caring. Loved it and will read it again and again.

[Liam]

Terrible book. Trite & simplistic and it side stepped the real question of bad things happening to good people.

[Julia]

Chere - let's agree to disagree ...

Teresa - I agree with you ...

[Tina]

Pam wrote: "It looks like I'm one of the few people in the world who hated this book. I read it for one of my book clubs and everyone else loved it. I felt like he could have said everything in one chapter. ..."

Pam, I agreed that it was very unnecessarily drawn out. I actually stopped less than half way through and put it down for about six months. A friend of mine kept asking about it, so I forced myself to finish. I'm glad that I did because the ending made it worth reading. But it still could have been written better. Since the book takes a very non-traditional spin on God and the trinity and his relationship with us, I think those teetering with their faith will benefit the most. Those with a strong understanding of God and secure faith will find it mostly just interesting, yet still inspiring. Alot of the readers commenting don't seem to realize what's most interesting-----This is supposed to be a true story. Call if fiction if you want, but somebody claims this was all a real experience.

[Tina]

Celeste wrote: "Judy: I was fine with the message, but I thought it deserved a better book. I didn't care for the folksy style of writing or for the personality of the main character. Although it's been quite a ..."

Agreed Celeste. I had to force myself to finish it. The writing was not all that great. But again, this was written by a friend of a man who just wanted to tell a story of something that happened to him.

[Jeanne]

Interesting and comforting look at the Trinity. Don't read this type of book and I thought that this was rather well done although it could have been a bit shorter.

[Jürgen A.]

Carl wrote: "I loved the book. I felt it was a non-liturgical approach to God. Yes, the Apologists trashed it because it wasn't Biblical --- I guess they missed the part about it being a fictional novel. It ..."

It wasn't biblical... still to fail where it wasn't (okay, one scene in it did cost it the fifth star from me). I suspect with "unbiblical" they mean "it doesn't quote scripture" and/or "we understand things differently". And of course, they know who's right. Right?
One of these days I *might* read one of the attacks (which are, of course, not attacks, but "loving corrections")
(Oh, and if you find sarcasm in what I wrote, feel free to reuse it ;-))

[Jürgen A.]

Judy wrote: "Pam wrote: "It looks like I'm one of the few people in the world who hated this book. I read it for one of my book clubs and everyone else loved it. I felt like he could have said everything in o..."

The whole first page of chapter 3 could have been done in... a paragraph, at most. I mean, the park they're staying is interesting *how*? Not at all, not in such boring detail, anyway. But that's really the worst. No, he's not a *great* writer, but he's more than sufficient for the task at hand.

[Aja]

This book is definitely on my top 10... I say this because it was so heart-felt. The journey the character goes on is an amazing one... I would recommend this book even to non-believers just because of the heart-wreching story.

[Joy]

Mahaley wrote: "Jeremy wrote: "I have to balance out this thread. I did not care for this book much at all. I agree with the comment that this was much longer than necessary. I am a person that likes long books..."

I liked the book, have had my children read it also. But I too got the mental picture of the surup lady when i read the descriptioin. I had a harder time picturing the Holy Spirit as something like a fairy floating around. Didn't see that one comin'. In general my children and I loved the story and it does get you thinking about your life, spiritually the walk you should have with God.

[Thomas]

Read it and recommend it unequivocally. Shows how "Christian" fiction can be without excluding anyone. I've also been on the website - some very friendly people there.

[Lori]

I have read it twice and probably will read it again. I love the book. Its a comfort and a renewal to read it over and over.

[Elaine]

I read most of it. I thought it kind of dragged a little bit in the middle. But it had a lot of good points on what happens in life. The fact that sometimes things just happen and we do not understand why. I thought it was good but a little to wordy in the middle. It was a good read

Elaine

[Wioletta]

I read it and I want to read it again

[Esther]

very inspiring

[Hank]

I read it and as a parable of forgiveness it's engaging. Twisting the Trinity for interest and trying to pass it off as having happened to someone slid it all into the forgettable story category for me.