This book was well written. I was unable to put it down once I started reading and finished the entire book in about 6 hours. It completely changed my thinking about God... it is a definate must read

This little work of fiction is asking us to open our hearts. To look beyond institutions, rules, expectations and responsibilities to what is now and always has been: Love & Truth.

The healing, redeeming power of Love & Truth - embodied in Papa, Jesus & Sarayu. To analyze, evaluate & criticize is to distance ourselves from its potential impact.

2 (of many) wonderful quotes that are as applicable to relationships as spirituality:

"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me."

"Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established."

If we look beyond our religious training & dogma to truly embrace this book, the messages embedded in this story can help us to have a greater understanding, compassion & zest for life.

Thank you, Willie.

This book is a great read, one you will not want to put down. Although I do not believe in all of the theology implied in the book, I do believe it makes all readers aware of the relationship God wants us to have with Him. I choose to read only one chapter a day in the book, although I could have read it in one sitting. Reading a chapter a day let me focus on the details and helped me understand my feelings about what was happening.

I think the book is very helpful for folks who struggle with their concept of God or don't realize how much He loves us.

Calling The Shack a truly unique piece of literary genius would be an understatement. It would be like calling The Sistine Chapel a simple work of art. But like both masterpieces, you need to delve deeper to truly appreciate what is in front of you. The story's premise is a simple one: the unconditional love God has for us all. It answers the questions we all grew up wondering and the answers just might change your entire outlook on life while changing your preconceived notions of theology. And yet, not everyone may agree with the ideas presented to them within the bindings of this work, they will all agree that this is the most thought provoking read to come out in years.

I'll try to be brief with the story so I don't spoil it for the few left who haven't read it. A man loses his daughter in a most horrific fashion and his belief in God is beginning to strain. Suddenly he finds himself at a shack near the scene of his daughters disappearance where he is reminded of the love, truth, and wisdom of God. In short: it is about a man who lost his faith and through the powers of prayer rediscovers God the Almighty. The writing is flawless, the story is refreshing and warming, and the message sheds light on the power and love God has for us all.

Editor of the highly recommended novel: Fates by Georgiou Tino Fates (2nd Edition)

I've just read another article about why Christians should steer clear of this book & it bothers me. It bothers me because I am a Christian & I personally thought it was a wonderful book. I admire the author for what he's been through & for his gift of writing. Mack's character did get a little tedious at times, just like we must be when trying to relate to how God works in our lives. But for a first attempt, Young's writing was fantastic.

The purpose of the author was not to write a book on biblical doctrine. In an interview I read he said he wrote this book for himself & for his children as part of his healing journey. This guy doesn't claim to be a biblical scholar, he's just a broken guy who experienced a lot of childhood trauma & significant losses in his adult life. This is a good description of myself and 99% of the people I know!

This book can be a wonderful adjunct for the healing of brokenness, learning to forgive, promoting "RELATIONSHIP" with God etc. But it's not a textbook or a work of theology, It's fiction, after all! There were many statements in The Shack that I recognized as incorrect or contrary to basic Christian theologically, but that didn't affect my faith or cause me to change my mind about what the Bible teaches at all. Instead I was reminded about how much God is for our healing, especially of our horrific pasts, if we will just let Him show us the broken places and then work through our most difficult, painful & shameful issues. I think this is the take-home reality of this book.

The ways in which God chooses to reveal Himself & His purposes to Mack are indeed extraordinary. But when I think about the ways & the places where God has met me in order to show me my brokenness & offer healing, they have been anything but ordinary! I think this book would be fantastic assigned reading material for therapists & for Healing Groups lead by a mature Christian with a solid theological understanding, but with the focus on the healing not on the theology or the discrepancies in the theology.

I will continue to recommend it & give it to people who I know are desperately in need of God's miraculous healing touch. But when I do give this book, I always tell them to focus on the heart of God & the heart of men & the mercy & healing that only God can bring into our relationship with Him, NOT the theology.

As Christians we should be reading the Bible more than we read or study any other book anyway. Searching and knowing the Scriptures is the most necessary weapon we have in our arsenal against deception of any kind. If we are Christians who are rooted in the Word of God, then when we read another book with any redeeming value at all, we can do so with confidence that our faith cannot be shaken & we can take away the salient truths that God might be trying to teach us.

This book is about Love, Forgiving and Understanding, not about theology. It is the heart of Christianity and every other religion to love and forgive. If one does not intend to go the extra mile, he/she might as well throw away his Bible. I feel certain that God can speak through a black woman, and an Indian, just as well as through a saint. The author goes right to the core of all spirituality. Unlike many books, the author is positive, and this book has a spiritual message for us all.

I believe people with an open mind to religion will benefit from this book the most. This book was an amazing read and I wait anxiously for Mr. Young's next book. When a book touches your heart and makes you think about how things might be if we just stopped JUDGING people and lived our lives, that author deserves to be recognized. I was raised Catholic and I don't feel this book goes against my beliefs at all. Let the person who reads this book be their own judge and if their beliefs are shaken by it then they were never true to their faith in the first place. Once again, great book you won't be disappointed.

My wife's cousin kept telling me to read this book, that it would change my life. He was absolutely right. I cried and laughed. The book challanged my thinking about the Trinity and the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This book gives a very strange representation of the Holy Trinity. Someone with a strong biblical background may see God and the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the author's story. However if the reader does not believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God, the reader may very well get lost in the story and find themselves rejecting basic Christianity.

Due to the seriously violent crime of the murder of Missy, I would not recommend this book to anyone who avoids reading or learning about crimes in general. I found the book to be disturbing at best and I had to question why it was recommended to me as a book with a biblical approach to meeting God.

The book was given to me as part of a Bible study and I had to wonder why the group leaders of two different Bible studies I attend felt this book was worth reading.

While this book attempts to answer mllennia-old questions such as the problem of evil, theodicy, the Trinity, etc., the answers it offers are simplistic and unoriginal. It is not especially well-written and much of the dialogue is contrived and awkward. However, it is the myriad of theological problems that warrants my low review more than anything else. Young presents a "feel good" theology that caters to the ethos of the postmodern era, but fails to include virtually anything about God's holiness, repentace, morality, ethics, vituous behavior, etc. There are some moving moments and some memorable scenes, but nothing to classify this as a great literary work. The redeeming quailty of this book is its value as a potential catalyst to get people thinking about God and their relationship with Him. That being said, I hope such people will turn to Scripture and their local church (again, elements Young does fails to emphasize) in their quest for truth.

I have been amazed at how some people who otherwise are quite discerning have embraced the Shack and are encouraging both new and older Christians to read it.

What a massive waste of precious time.

Theologically, the book is at biblical odds with so much, I can't recommend it. The only reason I can see to read the book is to be able to adequately refute it. Major problems with it include:

* Jesus is never identified as the Christ. Where is the blood? No mention of sin and why Jesus needed to come to the earth.
* There is no need for a savior because every sin was forgiven already
* No sense of a future judgment. Everything is syrupy and plays into what the average Christians wants to hear.
* The book promotes Universalism (heaven eventually for all) and no hell. In one spot in the dialogue with God, we are told that all Muslims, Hindus and those of all faiths will redeemed.
* No self-assessment or consideration that what the protagonist (Mack) is seeing could potentially be deception in action.
* Belittlement of fundamentalist Christians and their doctrines.
* Communicating with the dead is forbidden by scripture in multiple spots, yet the book is a quest to do so.
* Lack of holiness in treating God and the Trinity. You have to read the book to believe it. (Jesus spilling pancake batter and God laughing about it uproariously??) Give me a break. There were times while I was reading it that I was fearing lightning may strike.

Twenty years ago, this book would have been laughed out of nearly all evangelical churches; today small groups are reading it. Twenty years of downplaying biblical study has so dulled the average churchgoer, they have no means to defend the faith against the Trojan Shack. What a tremendous indictment of the American church of today. American churches with Rick Warren, Oprah, the Emergent Church, and now the "Shack" are clearly the Church of Laodicea (Revelation Ch. 3:14-22.)

The book is brilliant from a marketing standpoint. Everyone has a tragedy somewhere in their past. Everyone wants a explanation for why something happened, why some prayer wasn't answered the way we would have liked. Well, scripture doesn't promise those explanations will be revealed in this life. Some people have to live with some absolute terrible things in their life: tragedies, health problems. unwanted divorces, death of a child, etc. But good Christians don't go around and corrupt scripture in their quest for explanations. The proper response is to trust and have faith in God that these trials we endure are for great reasons we will never fully comprehend in this lifetime.

What makes this book especially bad is that it is being read by many Christians who have near-zero biblical literacy and boom, all of a sudden, the Shack is tantamount to doctrine. Other people seeking answers in Christianity are not given an accurate representation for their consideration. It may be politically incorrect to say but most Christians want to run away from any doctrines of judgment and accountability to God. The Shack gives these people an excuse and justification for whatever choices or viewpoints they wish to carry. Ala Carte Christianity, as some author once described.

I can't tell if William Young has sincere motivations or not. (He may simply not understand the gravity of what he is communicating.) I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He clearly has a passion for wanting to have a relationship with God. I think it is great to have a dynamic prayer life and personal relationship with God, but when you start telling millions of people about your beliefs, you better make sure it squares with scripture.

In summary, the doctrines of God's love, forgiveness, mercy are so emphasized, they crowd out the reality of sin, judgment, and hell. All these attributes of God are true - and they need to be balanced and presented as a whole. Young's concept frees people to imagine God however they would like. Create your own God. Sounds great. If people only realized the tremendous risk in doing this.

If you want to gain some precious insights into what the bible says about the meaning of difficulties and trials, read Hal Lindsey's "Faith for Earth's Final Hours."

Here's a book where Christian theology meets the author's imagination in a moving story about grace, redemption and forgiveness. Young breathes new life to these principles by exploring them in a narrative. The same thoughts can be presented in a theological treatise but in a story they offer stronger emotional resonance.

I also recommend "Nexus: A Neo Novel" by Deborah Morrison and Arvind Singh for its spiritual message. It's a moving story of people overcoming personal pain at a spiritual retreat.

This book is good for someone who needs a better understanding of God's relationship with man. It is not meant to be factual as far as theology is concerned, but more of an understanding of the father/son relationship. It also touches the after-death experience of life. Our bodies may be dead but our spirits are very much alive and well after separation from our bodies.

This is one very thought provoking read. What a beautiful way to present the intimate relationship God wants to have with us.
AWESOME

This is an awesome book! It is the kind of story that not only tugs at your heartstrings, but it can change your heart...everyone should read it. I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

"The Shack" represents the essance of the "Trilogy" (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit). While sold as fiction and encaptured in a well told story, "The Shack" reveals a way of life each person should understand. It's not about what we are, it's about who we are.

Givin the negative slant on institutions, such as religion and politics, it's no wonder that these institutions have viewed this book in a less than positive light.

I found myself, rereading the book and highlighting certain passages as it was so thought provoking during the first read. Also, I made notes to myself in the margins to capture ideas for my life.

Others will use this book as a guide to life's questions, while some will stop without finishing. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This writer seemed to be working on his own perception of the character of God. It's like some percolating journal writing--trying ideas out, stretching the imagination, going from the known to the unknown, but the unknown was not developed well enough for my experience. He was not convincing mainly because his writing technique was so poor. Mack was only used as a vehicle to sound out the three main characters, and his questions just set the stage for PaPa and Jesus the the Wind to say the "party line" There was nothing new and fresh here, only the shock of the humanity of the characters which was not convincing. I read 2/3 of the book and lost interest. Sorry.
Perhaps his next book will be more complete.

While this book attempts to answer mllennia-old questions such as the problem of evil, theodicy, the Trinity, etc., the answers it offers are simplistic and unoriginal. There are some moving moments and some memorable scenes, but nothing to classify this as a great literary work. While it is not especially well-written and much of the dialogue is contrived and awkward, the redeeming quailty of this book is its value as a catalyst to get people thinking about God and their relationship with Him.

The Shack was a page turner from the beginning till the end. Throughout the book the Author touches your heartstrings and weaves his storyline like a master weaver. This book will relate to you wether you are a female or a male and is a great read for anyone who is wanting help visioning our God and His Love for us.

I have been amazed at how some people who otherwise are quite discerning have embraced the Shack and are encouraging both new and older Christians to read it.

What a massive waste of precious time.

Theologically, the book is at biblical odds with so much, I can't recommend it. The only reason I can see to read the book is to be able to adequately refute it. Major problems with it include:

* Jesus is never identified as the Christ. Where is the blood? No mention of sin and why Jesus needed to come to the earth.
* There is no need for a savior because every sin was forgiven already
* No sense of a future judgment. Everything is syrupy and plays into what the average Christians wants to hear.
* The book promotes Universalism (heaven eventually for all) and no hell. In one spot in the dialogue with God, Muslims, Hindus and those of all faiths will redeemed.
* No self-assessment that what the protagonist (Mack)is seeing could potentially be deception.
* Belittlement of fundamentalist Christians and their doctrines.
* Communicating with the dead is forbidden by scripture in multiple spots, yet the book is a quest to do so.
* Lack of holiness in treating God and the Trinity. You have to read it to believe. (Jesus spilling pancake batter and God laughing about it uproariously??) Give me a break. There were times when I was reading it that I was fearing lightning may strike.

Twenty years ago, this book would have been laughed out of nearly all evangelical churches; today small groups are reading it. Twenty years of downplaying biblical study has so dulled the average churchgoer, they have no means to defend the faith against the Trojan Shack. What a tremendous indictment of the American church of today. American churches with Rick Warren, Oprah, the Emergent Church, and now the "Shack" are clearly the Church of Laodicea (Revelation Ch. 3:14-22.)

The book is brilliant from a marketing standpoint. Everyone has a tragedy somewhere in their past. Everyone wants a explanation for why something happened, why some prayer wasn't answered the way we would have liked. Well, scripture doesn't promise those explanation will be revealed in this life. Some people have to live with some absolute terrible things in their life: tragedies, health problems. unwanted divorces, death of a child, etc. But good Christians don't go around and corrupt scripture in their quest for explanations. The proper response is to trust and have faith in God that these trials we endure are for great reasons we will never fully comprehend in this lifetime.

What makes this book especially bad is that it is being read by many Christians who have near-zero biblical literacy and boom, all of a sudden, the Shack is tantamount to doctrine. Other people seeking answers in Christianity are not given an accurate representation for their consideration. It may be politically incorrect to say but most Christians want to run away from any doctrines of judgment and accountability to God. The Shack gives these people an excuse and justification for whatever choices or viewpoints they wish to carry. Ala Carte Christianity, as some author once described.

I can't tell if William Young has sincere motivations or not. (He may simply not understand the gravity of what he is communicating.) I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I think it is great to have a dynamic prayer life and personal relationship with God, but when you start telling millions of people about your beliefs, you better make sure it squares with scripture.

In summary, the doctrines of God's love, forgiveness, mercy are so emphasized, they crowd out the reality of sin, judgment, and hell. All these attributes of God are true. Young's concept frees people to imagine God however they would like. Create your own God. Sounds great. If people only realized the tremendous risk in doing this.

If you want to gain some precious insights into what the bible says about the meaning of difficulties and trials, read Hal Lindsey's "Faith for Earth's Final Hours."

I have read many of the discussions and opinions and arguments about this book. Many people have many strong beliefs and viewpoints, and I think that's wonderful! That's what reading, searching and learning are all about: ideas you have never had, thoughts that have never crossed your mind, and angles you have never seen. I do beg you to take the time (very short time, at that) to read this book. You may not agree with everything, not that you ever should!, but if you let the words make their way to your heart and then spirit, you may find something there that you never knew was present. I can say after reading this short fictional story that I felt like I was remembering some things that had been lost for a while, like some things that were buried in my spirit came to the surface and I saw Jesus in a new way, a more intimate way, a more RELATIONAL way filled with love, reverence, appreciation and newfound beauty. If this book could bring that out in me, how in the world could it be harmful? No matter what religion, house of worship, line of thought you follow, you in your own self have to decide what pertains to you, in your life as you live it. You take away from any experience what you choose, good or bad. And that is really what this story is all about; seeing love in all things, in your God, in your life, no matter what comes your way. My eyes have been renewed, my spirit lifted, my mind cleared some, and my heart has become fuller...give this book a chance to speak to you!!

I don't usually pick up fiction books as I like to read true stories. Upon the prompting of my friend I picked this up thinking I probably wouldn't like it. I am so glad she talked me into it. Although fictional, it is filled with so many truths! If you believe in God the father, son & holy spirit, you will love how they are portrayed in this book. What a beautiful picture of Jesus and walking on the water with him to ask him the "why" questions. It was a great reminder for all of us that we all sin, we all fall short but Jesus will forgive us when we turn from our sin and we can have a remarkable relationship with him. The things that happen to us through our lives happen for a reason but we may not know the full reason until we reach heaven (those of us who have a personal relationship w/ Jesus) and in the meantime need to TRUST Christ. Get the book and buy extras to gift others with, especially those who have lost loved ones or gone through tough situations that make them ask "Why me?"

I was given a copy by a friend and had no idea what this book was to contain. I was blown away at the issues that we discussed (beautifully): anger, brokenness, hating God for events that occur in our life, who God is, The Trinity, forgiveness, healing, learning to see through God's eyes.
It challenges our idea of who God is and paints a beautiful picture of the the love shared between the Trinity. It also focuses on the Love that God has for each of His unique creatures and how we are so focused on ourselves that we do not see Him.
It was very thought provoking and entertaining. I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of deeper water and breaking the paradigms we tend to create especially as they relate to God.

I found The Shack to be very thought provoking. In my mind very few books merit a second read. I finished the book tonight and I'll be ready to reread it tomorrow morning.

I have read thousands of books but nothing prepared me for The Shack. I know it is sold as fiction but there is so much Truth in the pages, it will help you learn to forgive and my relationship with God took a turn for the better after I was done.

This book was awesome. I've read a lot, and some of my favorite Christian authors include C.S. Lewis, Oswald Chambers and Jack Hayford. Bare with me in the beginning here, I am not proselytizing. I've been a Christian for 13 years. I did not grow up in a christian home, in fact far removed from it. Right up until the moment the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to Jesus Christ, I didn't even believe in God. The grace I experienced was amazing and changed my life dramatically in an instant forever. Why does this matter to this review? I came to a saving faith without a bunch of theology about who God was. I had negative attitudes about religion, and about Christians in particular. I immediately become, I am now the member of a strong bible believing church, love the word, spend time in it daily, and tend to be more strict than most, and that is in large part because of my personality. I have known from day one the beautiful grace of Jesus Christ. The Shack does an amazing and awesome job of illustrating that same grace that I found. I will tell you that it definitely challenged some of my assumptions and attitudes. But I have found that is what God has done with me since I first believed. He seems to continually be advancing my understanding according to my ability to apprehend it. The Shack I believe did a powerful job of pulling me past my current attitudes and made me think more critically, openly and honestly. I read the book through the filter of the Scriptures. I did not find any place where I felt the book was in direct conflict when I was honest with myself, although in many places it definitely challenged me to think more deeply. In the end I have to say it was one of the best books I have ever read. And not necessarily because it was an amazing literary work, although it's good, but because it is one of those books that MAKES you think, and all too often when we read something that challenges our conventions and beliefs, we are too quick to put it away, or dismiss it, rather than letting it (or Him) have it's work. This book was awesome!

I have read thousands of books but nothing prepared me for The Shack. I know it is sold as fiction but there is so much Truth in the pages, it will help you learn to forgive and my relationship with God took a turn for the better after I was done.

This book was amazing. I think everyone should read it. It will make great gifts for loved ones; especially for people who have had loved ones die.

I would place this book in the same category, Mediocre, as The "Prayer of Jabez" and "The Purpose Driven Life;" it is just the latest in the line of Christian How-To books that purport to give The Answer, but instead offer muddled theology for a vast audience of Christians brought up in the church on spoon-fed theology.

The author chooses to present the Trinity as just down home folks (although he gives a nod to the mysticism of the Holy Spirit by making 'her' a semi-invisible Asian woman.) But the real insult is the depiction of God as a stereotypical Black Mammy, named Papa. Mammy Papa is big, black, in the kitchen cooking, cooking, and taking care of his/her little hurting white boy. He/she spouts preachy mystical-sounding dialogue, but evades real answers. It is an amazingly insensitive image both of God and Afro-American women. While I applaud the effort of the author to shake us out of our childhood-ingrained image of God as The Big Man With The White Beard sitting on a throne tossing lightning bolts at sinners, all he has succeeded in doing is to drag God down to become god, and replaced one stereotype with another, i.e. the delicate,mysterious Oriental woman whom we in the Western world see as all-wise and unknowable; the ever- strong, all-wise Black Mammy; and Jesus appearing as the man's man - we know this because he's out working in his garage-turned-woodshop or fishing, and apologizing for not being handsome.

This book is Christian Lite, with appallingly poor theology.

For the rest of you, I recommend Henri H.M. Nouwen's "The Inner Voice of Love" or Tom Stella's "A Faith Worth Believing" for accounts of lives genuinely struggling with the things of God, to name just two of many such excellent books available.

Mr.Young will undoubtedly make a great deal of money from this book. But I hope it's not money from your wallet.

I devoured this book. In a state of crisis myself, the book was both healing and inspirational. The fresh perspective on the Holy Trinity releases one from guilt imposed by conventional religion. I have given several copies to friends and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking answers to the mysteries of religion.

I found this book to be very fascinating. It isn't a book you will want to read just once. This is a keeper and I'll go back to it several times. There is a lot to think about. It came in a timely fashion and gives the reader much to think about.

This book is a great read! It's not about religion, it's about relationship. I found this book to be one of the best books on the trinity and the relationship we can have with a God that is out of the box.

I would recommend this book for everyone to read. Interesting reading along with giving you lots of food for thought. It could actually be a life changing read for many people. The author puts many interesting thoughts into play for forgiveness, Jesus, the Trinity, holy spirit, and God.

What a great letdown. There is no way in the world to even possibly correalate this as a Christian story. Very dissapointed in the big promotions - I could barely finish the book.

I was skeptical to read this book at first, I am so glad I continued to read the Shack WOW!!!!! I have read a lot of good books however this book is got to be the best book I have ever read. I am in Awe of God more than I have ever been. This book allows you to see how much God loves us,even thru tough times and answers alot of questions. I thank the Lord for using the author to pour out a new life saving vison of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Even if you don't know the Lord you will love this book. I beg for you to read it. Well Done!!!!

My 16 year old son was killed in a car accident. I know what it's like to wonder where God was, and why didn't He save my child. For Real. I truly struggled with being able to trust God for a long time. In my struggle, God filled my life and pain with His love and passion. I truly came to love Him and trust Him like I never had before. The Shack is a beautiful representation of what I know to be true about God. This book may be fiction but there is nothing fictional about the truth of God's love for His people in it.
I have many friends at support groups that I have not been able to reach with this truth. They are mad and bitter with God about the death of their loved one. I think this book will open their eyes to the truth! I plan on sharing it with everyone I know!

Picking and choosing through the book, there is truth, but it is nothing like the highly acclaimed "our generation's Pilgrim's Progess" as suggested on its back cover. I think this would be more confusing and perhaps misleading than helpful, were I not a Christian. Yes, there are some good points. Yes, there is truth, but it is not a book I would ever recommend nor would I give it to friend or foe :)

I wouldn't read it twice, and while Pilgrim's Progress is timeless, this one will fade away, I think....

I really enjoyed reading this novel. There were not any new concepts in the book for me but an opportunity to see them through the author's view point. It hit hard at home a number of times. I ordered copies to give away as gifts.

Excellent book with a lot to think about. Would love to do this with a group and have lots of conversation. It was somewhat hard to get pass the "characters" but after continuing with the words it made sense. You really have to read it to understand. I found it very profound and after reading it almost a month ago I am still thinking about it and have given it to several friends and waiting for them to all finish so we can discuss. Definitely worth the read. It goes very quickly but has a lasting impression.

This is the most refreshing, amazing book I have read in years! You will cry, laugh and shake your head all at once. I don't think any book has ever resonated so deeply with me about the heart of our Creator. One word of caution: The beginning of the story is tragic, so plow through the first 4 chapters....you will be so glad you did!

John The Poet

The most thought provoking book I've ever read. Completely brought to light an excellent understanding of God's plan for our lives and His purpose and intentions for us as human beings. Clearly explains that separate from Him, we are subject to our limitations. Defines how God is not a puppeteer, but gives us free choice to live with or without Him and how living without Him brings us extreme limitations. Amazing analogies of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.

Some traditional thinkers will have difficulty with this book, but I found it to very stimulating and thought-provoking.

I'm a retired and "refired" minister. I was a full time Associate Pastor in churches ranging from 300 to 3,000 in attendance for 30 years. Currently I've "refired" and am serving as an interim pastor.

This story begins with one of a parent's worst nightmares, the abduction of his/her child. Unfortunately, the abduction of Mackenzie "Mack" Allen Phillips' daughter Missy in the Oregon wilderness early in "The Shack" lacks punch and drama because it's badly lost in a tediously narrated account of a camping trip filled with mundane detail and awkward pacing.

However, readers who can plough through this badly handled material will be rewarded many times over by the time Mack makes his pilgrimage to the isolated cabin where his daughter was murdered. Here he finds waiting for him the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What a joyous and inventive story "The Shack" becomes as the dialogues begin. Those who want to argue theology are having their say about this, suggesting that the understandable, sensible ideas are in fact dangerous, luring readers into false doctrines and lives of error.

Nonsense! "The Shack" is fiction and readers are not easily brainwashed. I found this material so compelling, that I found myself jealous that I know of no mountain cabin where I can have such experiences first hand. This is, when all is said and done, a powerful book with a few storytelling flaws most readers will easily forgive.

This is one book where the Forward is definitely a part of the story. It draws the reader into this fictional encounter with God so completely that you often lose track that it isn't real -- or is it?

It is startling, yet warm and fuzzy and sometimes humorous. The Shack is intensely thought-provoking, yet reassuring. While definitely "outside-the-box", it tends to make the "box" much larger.

The best read in a long time. Made me wish for a discussion group.

I thought this was just going to be another fictional story about someone who suffers a traumatical family loss and how they try to go after the criminal who hurt them. What a fantastic surprise to read something that brings out the true meaning of faith and trust in the Heavenly Father, son and Holy Spirit. If you have ever doubted your faith or lost trust in God, this will certainly be a great "awakening". A must reading for all who are not only looking for a great "read", but also for those looking for another way of thinking about the divinity/trinity of Christianity.

I decided to read this book when i saw an advertising on a busdoor. On the same day arriving at São Paulo airport i bought it. I start reading on the the taxi on the way to work, it was monday. I finished to read the book returning from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro on the flyback to home. And it was funny because as happens on the book with Mack i hadn't have the control over my tears.
The story is very good and shows that religion is much more than messes, churchs and icons. I want to encourage everyone to read this book and find daddy,Sarayu and Jesus.

This book is amazing and one you cannot put down. Read it with an open mind to the Lord DO NOT BOX GOD.

I took this in as a singular piece of literature. In this book God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were all just a character base for me. I'm not going to pick it apart based on the context of how he used God. What really intrigued me was the concept of how personal God could be to you. On one hand his wife calls God Papa, on his side he isn't sure of his existence because of the trauma he suffered with his daughter. All religious and scripture usage aside, personally it was a well rounded story about belief and the effects of grief.

K.K. Jolliffe

This book is life changing. But dont start reading it unless you finish it. When it feels like you dont ever want to pick it up again just keep reading. You will understand everything at the end just keep reading....and keep an open mind about God.