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The Shack
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The Shack
Author: William P. Young

Book Information
Publisher: Windblown Media
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 8
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780964729230 - ISBN-10: 0964729237
Publication Date: 5/1/2007
Pages: 256

Book Description:
Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!

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Top Member Book Reviews

Nora S. (biblegirl06) wrote on 1/14/2008...

45 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is about so much more than the gruesome details of how this little girl dies. The author deals with this subject tactfully and respectfully. All of a sudden I was reading along and the thought occurred to me that this book might be like a book I read (that really touched me) called “Dinner with a Perfect Stranger” by David Gregory; but it was nothing like that book. That book was fun and light hearted. William Young takes you into the depths of Mackenzie's pain and has God shows up. God wants to heal Mackenzie from the inside out. Mack can't believe this is happening. Did he die and go to heaven? This can't be God he doesn't care about him or love him because he let his innocent daughter Missy be murdered. I don't want any part of this God he thinks. I don't know why he came?

I don't want to say too much detail about this book. I don't want to tarnish your experience. I don't want you to be swayed one way or the other on how God wants to use the message of this book to reveal Himself to you in a very unexpected and exhilarating way. But I do want to share this with you; a little glimpse inside this powerful book. The experience of this book is like listening to a song that touches your heart to the core and when it's all over there is no clapping just silence as everyone reflects on what just happened in their heart, soul and mind.

The glimpse : This is what Mack says to God “ I hate all this " this crying and blubbering like an idiot, all these tears,” he moaned.

“Oh child,” spoke Papa tenderly. “Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak.”

The Lord has His fingerprints inside this book for you to find and be transformed. This is not only a GREAT book; a must read; but an experience that will alter the way you look at life and God forever.

Book Club Servant Leader
www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Bonnie F. (Krafty-Kat) wrote on 10/15/2008...

29 member(s) found this review helpful.

The book really drew me in right from the start...but then, it got weird--really, really weird. Sorry, but my God is not a big black woman who loves to cook and laugh. I just couldn't force myself to get through this book fast enough. For some this book may border on blasphemy. I even skipped pages of dialogue. This book was definitely not for me!

Dianne S. (Lavendergrey) wrote on 5/2/2008...

21 member(s) found this review helpful.

This fiction book was enjoyable, and at times brought tears to my eyes. I believe the purpose of the story is to help Christians have a closer relationship with Christ, or to bring people to a relationship with Christ. That being said, there was a part in the middle that got very bogged down with explanations and concept-explaining and I actually skipped a few parts because it was just to complicated. For this reason, I feel new Christians or those who are seeking, would probably put the book down feeling confused and never continue reading it. The basics of a relationship with the Trinity is simple and pure...and I feel this book complicated it way too much. It did give me pause about my relationship with Christ and the Trinity, and nudged me in ways that give me a desire to seek a closer bond. One author who reviewed it claims it to be the "Pilgrim's Progress" for this generation, but I don't see that...the way it is written is totally different. Bottom line is that it is a very good fiction book, with some effort at bringing people to Christ, but there are also some things in it that don't really adhere to what the Bible says, which also is a negative in my mind. I feel if you are going to attempt to draw people to the Trinity, then you should present Biblical truths in the proper way, but this book veers off course here and there regarding that.

Nancy W. (Norsecross) wrote on 8/20/2008...

20 member(s) found this review helpful.

I hear this book in controversial. I don't know why. Unfortunately I have to say it fell into that smarmy Christian-lit category for me. At about the halfway mark my internal narrator switched to Sunday School voice and it never stopped. For a good read on all things theology spend your time with G.K. Chesterton (Orthodoxy) or C.S. Lewis (The Screwtape letters).

Heather S. (boydheather17) - Redmond, OR wrote on 8/9/2008...

19 member(s) found this review helpful.

I loved this book! I coudn't put it down! Passed it on to Mom who went out and bought copies for all of her friends when finished! Very thought provoking, some details very hard to endure being a mother especially but keep reading! I could read this book again and again and I believe I would pull something more from it everytime. Loved the characters! I hear how some Christians have problems identifying with the characters and I have to say that I am a Christian and I loved the Characters! They were great! Wheather you are a Christian or not, have dealed with a loss or not, this is a GREAT book, don't pass it up!

April D. (knittymama) wrote on 3/13/2009...

17 member(s) found this review helpful.

I love that this book focused on the RELATIONSHIP we should have with God and not necessarily the RELIGION we may or may not have with God. I am a Christian and I was very moved by this book and it didn't sway me from my beliefs in any way, but it did reaffirm for me that God is in all things and that faith comes in many different forms.

Chris S. (chris03) wrote on 10/23/2008...

17 member(s) found this review helpful.

I'm not a Christian but I found this book to be moving. I'm not sure how best to express this but I didn't understand the role of Jesus in people's day-to-day life and after thinking about what I read in this book, I understand more the connection people have to Jesus.

It's a wonderful story but a bit over the top.

Rachel F. (AmanteDelLibro) wrote on 10/23/2008...

15 member(s) found this review helpful.

I and several of my Christian friends really enjoyed this book. If you can get through the first 3 chapters, it's an eye-opening look at the openness of God and how to see His love expressed to you in everyday life. Among my non-Christian friends, it brought up a lot of great conversation!

Kay B. wrote on 11/8/2007...

14 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. It kept my attention through the whole thing in spite of lots of conversation. The book focuses on relationship and attempts to answer many questions that we all deal with about God.

Pam M. wrote on 9/7/2008...

12 member(s) found this review helpful.

I was quite impacted by this book. It had been recommended by someone I trust immensely. However, in conclusion, I was enormously disappointed.

While it does cause you to re-think how you know and interact with the God of the universe, it misses the mark with regard to the consistent and balanced nature of God. It falls far short theologically, and I would never recommend this book to a new believer.

Please, be careful with this one...


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Della B. wrote on 10/27/2009...


Wacked out view of the Trinity but brain-injured, understandable.

JERRY K. wrote on 10/16/2009...


MY WIFE THOUGHT IT WAS A NICE STORY.

Rita S. wrote on 10/12/2009...


This author makes some valid points, stating/describing uncomfortable truths and perspectives. The book was a tad long and pacing somewhat slow for a work of fiction (for my personal liking). It was an interesting & unique read overall.

Janelle G. wrote on 10/3/2009...


Thank you Lord! What a tangible way to view our relationship with You, all Three of You ;)

Aleta F. wrote on 9/18/2009...


Oh My God? This was one of the best books that I've ever read. It embodies love at it's optimum. My life will forever be changed as a result of reading this book. I have recommended this book to everyone that I know.

Nicole D. wrote on 8/17/2009...


For what it is, it's amazing.

Adriane L. wrote on 8/4/2009...


entertaining and an interesting concept.

Rosemary A. (pilgrim) wrote on 7/25/2009...


I was referred to this book from some people who said that "you could not put it down."
Well, I found it hard to pick up. Maybe it is good for someone going through a death in the family or a tragedy. That is who I gave the book to. While the thought is good, it is repedative and redundant.

Deb S. (FeeFee1960) wrote on 7/21/2009...


Excellent message. Ending seems a little rushed to me.

Johanna B. (pugmomma) wrote on 7/21/2009...


Good book.


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