Have you read it, or heard about

[Elaine]

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 ..."

I loved it too but actually I'm not sure there.s anything in it that isn't biblical, and I know the bible well.:) I also feel its chock full of spiritual guidance and doesn't fail in that area at all. It shows the love and nature of our trinitarian God in a a way that sadly many legalistic christians have lost sight of . I hear many people say "wouldn't it be lovely if God really was like that " In my experience He really is like that and for many other of my friends who know God intimately. Enjoy it as a story , or as a philosophy , but don't let that discount the truth of God that is all the way through it

[Thomas]

I've now passed on my copy of "The Shack" to my son, a conservative Christian. My book "A Halo of Strawberries" - to come out next year - is also an attempt to do something moraly good for the world through fiction.
You need to be careful in fiction (if not aiming at the conservative Christian market) not to allow the message to overpower the art,to steer away from being too overtly moralistic or didactic, and you need to deliver the spiritual and emotional aspect of the book without over-sentimentalising it. You will not please everyone. Or so I am advised.

[Elaine]

I hope you achieve your aim Thomas. Let us know when its out so we can tell you what we think:)

[Hank]

I also have a book out that weaves Christian philosophy into a story of historical fiction, "A Novel Gothic Novel". The history of it is fact because my characters actually pull from real artifacts and history books to develop their own stories. My point was to encourage young writers to use research and their imaginations. It may not be as polished as "The Shack"(I'd welcome your comments on that), but trusting prophesy and time His kingdom will come with or without our coating it in syrup.

[Will]

Both.

[Courtney]

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. ..."

You are not alone! I thought it was poorly written and trite. And yes redundant as all get out, he could have made his entire point in a paragraph.

[Scotti]

I agree with you Winn. From the point of view of bereavement, I would also call it a story of HOPE. Losing Hope within the prison of grief is devastating and can certainly make you question God and your faith. I wish I didn't know this first hand. This book was very healing for me.

[Julia]

Elaine wrote: "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 fictiona..."

well said!! :)

[Bebe]

I read it last year. I tend to get nervous with religious books because I'm afraid they will be "preachy". This book was not at all. If you don't believe in anything you might have problems with it, but if you have some belief in God then to read this author's interpretation on why terrible horrible things happen is as good an explanation as anything else I have heard. It also shows the human ability to heal even after the worst nightmare.

[Cyd]

Why was referring to God as a black woman so offensive to some people?

[Will]

Because if God was a black woman, he certainly would not have promoted slavery like he did, and he certainly would have had a commandment in the Bible stating that no man should own another.

[Cyd]

Thank you Will. You make a very good point.

[Hank]

Moses must have trashed the anti-slavery law in that bunch he crashed when he first came down the mountain. Our ten were in the second set, remember?

[Jacki]

Although I'm not one for religious-themed stories, the author of 'The Shack' lives in my town, so I read it in preparation for an event we were hosting for him. I, too, found it interesting, but it did run on for a little too long. It was very heartbreaking, yet uplifting.

[Marc-Antoine]

Reading this book has helped me realize how I have been putting emphasis on the wrong things in my life. I have spent too much time blaming and hating, I am now putting considerable effort into finding the good in people and using that instead of dwelling on their faults and weaknesses, as that has been mine. I recommend this book to everyone and hope it does as much good for you as it has for me.

[Daisy]

Read it and loved it.

[Darlene]

Touching story but couldn't grasp the fantasy aspect of the story. In my opinion, the author could have told this story in less than 100 pages. I wish he had continued to write in the same voice as the first few chapters.

[Rhodora]

I love a book that leaves it's interpretation to the reader. This book did that for me. I found it to be a very refreshing look on religion without preaching it. This book was packed with emotions from heart-wrenching to humorous. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that I read it once and then listened to it in audio. Both were great experiences!

[Tyler]

absplutley breathtaking.

[Lauryn]

I appreciated the new perspective on God in this book! Take a chance on it!

[Julie]

It was a 'Oh My God' kind of book. I thought it just was...touchy, it had a lot of emotion.
~J

[Maggie]

I loved the book!!! .....a whole new perspective on religion in general and a touching story!! 4.5 'stars'!!

[Judith]

Interesting to see the variety of responses to this book. I read it because it was given to me by a friend whom I knew would be asking what I thought. The best I could give it was "interesting."

The literary faults with the book exceed the space here. It certainly promoted conversation and got people to thinking about God and the unanswerable questions of the universe. That was probably its major value.

[Marti]

I read it during a time when I was receiving treatment for Inflammatory Breast Cancer, a rare but particularly virulent kind of breast cancer. During that period and even now (about a year and a half later) I lurch from really seeking God's guidance and grace to still being somewhat angry about my situation. In many ways, though, this was a beautiful book and provided a very good measure of solice to me during a particularly stressful and scary time of my life.

[Tammy]

I really enjoyed the book. It did take putting it down and picking it up again. I think the point it confirmed for me is that my spiritual relationship with God is real and like a daughter talking to her father. I believe that there is a great difference in religion and spirituality. God is waiting for us to talk to Him, never moving away from us, but waiting for us as we move and change due to life experiences.

[Amy]

Rocknrollsweethart wrote: "I couldn't even finish this book because I felt like it dragged on and on. It felt like he kept repeating things over and over. I was really intrigued in the beginning but in the end felt like it..."
I felt the same way. Disappointing, really, because I was so interested in reading it.

[J K]

C.J. wrote: "This book was terrible."

Oh yes, it was.

[Joy]

I enjoyed this book because after reading it, it gave me a new vision on humankind. I felt a renewed sense of feelings for other people in the world. Every person is a person that God has created and love. I feel like I need to remember this in my day to day interactions with people. I felt that this book has helped me be a better person because of this insight. I unfortunately feel that a lot of this book was way over my head and I didn't seem to understand a lot of the text. That is the reason for the 3 star rating. But I do think it is a good book to put a new prospective on life and our lives and interactions with other in this world.

[Julie]

I readthis book and I was mind blown!! I loved it, had some very mixed emotions. :) But was such a good book i intend to read it again :)

[Licha]

Did not enjoy this book at all.

[Janette]

I did read this book. And I did like it. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I liked it. I come from a very conservative Baptist background so I was very skeptical going into this. I found the whole story very interesting & thought provoking from the christian side of it. The authors view of the trinity was well thought out & I enjoyed looking at God through his eyes. It didn't damage me spiritually or make me feel as if I'd blasphemed God. If anything it gave me a fresh prospective on God & how he relates to us.

[Tim]

I read this book and enjoyed the story behind it, but I think it is hazardous to orthodoxy when others expect a God experience such as this. Not everyone will go to a shack and have an awesome divine revelation when tragedy has struck. Sometimes the voice of God is in a whisper. (1 Kings 19)

[Janette]

True we are not going to have three entities come visit us like the story. I do think more often than not God speaks in a still small voice. What I brought away from the book is that God is there when the hard times (and questions) hit. That if we are willing to listen to God's voice (not an audible voice, btw) he will minister to us during those times.

[Erin]

I loved this book. It opened my eyes tremendously about who God is and why things happen. I found it riveting and inspirational. I recommend it to everyone I can.

[Mary]

Excellent, thought-provoking novel! Loved it!

[Sheri]

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..."
good job at summarizing.

[Sheldon]

It's one of those books that can be read over and over, especially if a chapter in the book applies to a situation in your life.

[Jessica]

I am not a particularly religious person but a friend lent me a copy. I thought the idea of the book was really interesting but I was disappointed in the way it was written. I prefer The Five People You Meet in Heaven or The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

[Laura]

I loved the Shack - it was such a refreshing take on Christianity. Sometimes I find myself so familiar with the Bible that I take it for granted. This book shook things up and reframed things for me.

[J K]

But it's terrible....

[Judy]

I did like it too. An interesting concept. It has been awhile. My grandson read it too....while in jail. He thought it was OK.

[Jools]

I read this when it was first released and was not expecting the book to be anything like it was. If i had known i would not have bought it. I am pleased i did and found it a interesting take on Christianity. After reading this i was more open minded in what i read, and am another one who read The Five Poeple You Meet in Heaven

[Brian]

Why do bad things happen to good/innocent people? No answers hear. I had hoped for more based on all the hype.

[Sarah]

Thought-provoking, exceptionally unpredictable.

[Katrina]

I LOVE THIS BOOK FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART! Though I wasn't going through a death in the family, I was searching for God. I found this to be a beautiful representation of who God could possibly be! I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to anyone wanting a different perspective on Christianity!

[Janette]

It has been quite awhile since I have read this book. Does anyone know if this is the book where Jesus (God) is depicted as a rainbow (all ethnicity/color)? I can't remember if it was this book or another that I read.

[Will]

Not this one.

[Paige]

Thought this was one of the deepest and interesting twist on the Trinity.

[Ginny]

My sister gave me this book when my husband and I lost our son. Though I did not completely agree with his religious ideas, it did help me to cope with the loss.

[Melissa]

I read this about a year or so ago, and have ready many books since. So I do not remember alot about it but I do remember that this book had me from the first page!!!! I could not put it down. It was definitely a good book, but one that requires a box of tissue and a comfy chair as you will be sitting for a long time.
I read this is about 2 days time.This book puts life in perspective, makes you really stop and think about yourself, your faith, and your fears.It made me wonder " what if this happened to me or my family"