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 enlarge | Author: William P. Young
Publisher: Windblown Media
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $7.15
You Save: $7.84 (52%)
New (87) Used (39) Collectible (1) from $7.15
Rating:  2242 reviews
Sales Rank: 6
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0964729237
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780964729230
ASIN: 0964729237
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Excellent April 29, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I thought I had forgiven my father for deserting me, but when I was reading The Shack, I realized there was more way down deep that needed to be taken care of. This book helped me deal with issues in my own life that are keeping me from God's best for me. Carol Ledford, author of Miraculous Interventions in Life.
Positively the best spiritual fiction book I've ever read! April 29, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is destined for the classics of all time! It's a jewel of a book full of visual images for the reader's pleasure.
The author wrote the book in a way that reminds all of us that we are really not alone and that everyone has the capability of connecting with God, the universe or whatever you want to call it.
I absolutely loved the author's choice of words and phrases that stuck in my mind long after I finished the book. Phrases like "visual symphony" really tugged at me.
Definitely something everyone on a spiritual path should read. I liked it so much that I read the entire book, cover to cover, in two days. Call me crazy but I loved it!
What's inspiring about this book is that it was originally self-published because none of the publishers thought it would make a good read but boy, weren't they proven wrong! It actually ended up in bookstores like Barnes and Noble because of the popularity created by word of mouth.
Highly recommend this book without any doubts!
Quite simply.....AMAZING! April 29, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I reluctanly picked up this book, but went ahead and bought it based upon a recommendation, but still expecting not to like it. On the contrary, from the very beginning I found myself mesmerized by this book! The thought provoking text is easy to read but you will find yourself re-reading for complete comprehension. This book will lead to self discovery, questions and answers about faith, and interesting discussion among friends. This book has the power to be transformational and I highly recommend it to all.
 1-star at best April 28, 2008
20 out of 28 found this review helpful
I can't compete with all of the well-written one-star reviews which point out this book's many, many theological flaws, shortcomings, flim-flams and so on. Along these lines let me just add a hearty "Hear, hear!", and a reminder that "the truth is out there", but this book ain't it.
I will comment on two things, however. First, a quick peruse of the 5-star ratings gives me the impression that most of those (not all, certainly) who adore this book have been missing a fundamental confidence in their spiritual life. Far be it from me to judge ("Papa" wouldn't like that!), but I would, however, suggest that those who find spiritual enlightenment and "life changing encouragement" in this book are perhaps being a little too reactive to what is, admittedly, a gripping storyline. I find it sad and disturbing that so many apparently find our shared faith, and the texts and ceremonies upon which it rests, too weak to bring the same fulfillment as a work of fiction.
The second thing I would comment on is this: Prose-wise, "The Shack" is one clunky read. I admit that the storyline is compelling...I read the book through in one sitting, and I cared about the characters. But this was DESPITE the writing, not because of it. The story, the idea, was the germ of excellence here, but the author's writing "style" left much to be desired. I love to read (as do most who comment here, I suppose) and I have come to recognize really great writing, mediocre writing and, well, not-so-good writing. "The Shack" definitely falls in the third category. As is typical with much of today's contemporary Christian writing, "The Shack" makes me think the the author was under the impression that a real knock-out story, sprinkled with some new and fresh perspective on theology, eliminates the need for accomplished writing.
All in all, I can't think of any one person to whom I would recommend this book. My spiritually "seeking" friends would perhaps cling too tightly to this book as some sort of authority or road map, which would be a disaster and disservice for which I want no responsibility, and my spiritually "solid" friends would put stink-bombs in my desk for thinking they would find this book appealing.
You be the Judge April 28, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
I don't write reviews, but I feel the need this time as I have been touched by this book in a profound way.
I have read a healthy sampling of the reviews here and am sometimes shocked at the skeptics reasons for their ratings. Their reasons are often just inaccurate. I will address those at the end. First what was so refreshing about this book.
First it is a high view of God to believe he is allpowerful but also loving and caring, it is also theological correct.
As someone who "was" Mac, I found myself the whole book having surgery done on my heart. I am a Christian, I am even fundamental in my beliefs, however this book constantly challenged my impersonal and uncaring view of my heavenly father and attacked my willingness to judge my own earthly father and "write off" groups of people who were so different they couldn't possible matter to God. This book is accurate in saying that "God is especially fond of YOU!" You being each and every one of us. That is not always simple to grasp and this author opens all sorts of doors for you to grasp its significance. God is Love and relationship is everything, two things that scare me to death, but the truth rings true.
I don't believe the intent of the book was to tear down "Christianity" rather to challenge Christians to understand our father's love for us and desire relationship with him versus seeing him as some distant and uncaring deity. Any "Religion" who loses sight of who God is or puts all its faith in its own works and personal holiness has lost sight of who God is and what his desire is for us.
Now for the inaccuracies, first the book was not a "one world religion message", the critics who alluded to that should actually read the words written. What was said was that Jesus loved the people of all religions and he would go anywhere to find them...It did clearly state that there wasn't many roads to travel for salvation, rather only Jesus.
Secondly the gender issues of God. Again did you read the book? It clearly made it clear that to God, gender is completely irrelevant. He appeared to Mac as a black women for a clear reason, not because God is a WOMEN. I'm aghast that someone could read it that way. God is God...He is indescribeable and no work of fiction can capture the wonder of who he is. This was an illustration of how much God loved Mac that he worked to heal him of the wounds that were "killing him". God cut through the pain, but also explained why sometimes he doesn't "shelter" us from hardship. We live in a "sinful and fallen" world. This world will disappoint time and time again, but God is "GOOD" and God is in "CONTROL". The sovreignty of God was clearly spoken throughout.
Lastly, this is "Fiction". The author taking creative license to inject humor into story apparently offended some, I admit some of the words I found far fetched coming from our God's mouth, but blasphemy it was not. The author skillfully communicated the unity of the trinity and gave a beautiful depiction of who God is. God's love for us to send his son to earth to die for "all" needs to be digested by us all and this book invites us to explore the importance of that and not try to live an "independent and rebellious life". I think most of us if we are honest, can confess we have fallen into the worldly trap and we should confess that. God even cared for the killer of Mac's daughter. That should challenge us all, it wasn't accepting the sin or the act, but still desired to reconcile the man to him. Jesus died for the molesting murderer...That challenges us all I think.
The bottom line message is that it is "all about God" and because it is we can value what God does. He loves people. He loves all people and so should we. But unfortunately many of us can't separate loving the person and hating the sin. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.
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