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The Shack (Paperback)

by William P. Young (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1,754 customer reviews)

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Audio Download Exclusive: Interview with author William P. Young
Listen to The Shack on audio and hear a bonus interview with author William P. Young--available exclusively on the audiobook download from Audible.com.

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Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile
Mac is a grief-stricken father in mid-life about to have an extraordinary experience with God. His great sadness began four years ago on a weekend camping trip, when his 6-year-old daughter, Missy, was murdered. What he couldn't know then, but is about to learn, was God's purpose for Missy's death. Roger Mueller's clear, gentle voice characterizes Mac's family with high-spirited joy and laughter. His portrayal of Missy's animated excitement makes her especially believable. His polished performance of grief-stricken Mac brings tears. With empathy and sensitivity, Mueller captures the mysterious voices of those who have invited him to the now abandoned, yet transformed, cabin in the wilderness. This compelling fantasy explores themes of love, loss, and blame. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review
"The Shack" is a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of God. Through my tears and cheers, I have been indeed transformed by the tender mercy with which William Paul Young opened the veil that too often separated me from God and from myself. With every page, the complicated do's and don't that distort a relationship into a religion were washed away as I understood Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the first time in my life. --Patrick M. Roddy, ABC News Emmy Award winning producer

Finally! A guy-meets-God Novel that has literary integrity and spiritual daring. "The Shack" cuts through the cliches of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life's integral dance with the Divine. This story reads like a prayer--like the best kind of prayer, filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. When I read it, I felt like I was fellowshipping with God. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it. --Mike Morrell, zoecarnate.com

When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of "The Shack." This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" did for his. It's that good! --Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.

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Customer Reviews

1,754 Reviews
5 star: 69%  (1,226)
4 star: 8%  (146)
3 star: 4%  (71)
2 star: 3%  (62)
1 star: 14%  (249)
 
 
 
 
 
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1,014 of 1,204 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars No Flannel-Graph Jesus, January 27, 2008
By Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
In the book world, it's hard to explain "the buzz." What causes word of mouth to start spreading? What turns an unknown author and novel into a surprise bestseller? Even more inexplicable for the book snobs is when a story fails to meet their literary standards and yet touches the masses in an undeniable way.

"The Shack" is the buzz book of the past few months. I hadn't even heard of it in November, but by the end of December I'd had relatives, friends, and online pals from across the country telling me I "had" to read this one. I've been burned by such recommendations in the past, particularly in relation to spiritually oriented titles. (Can anyone say "The Prayer of Jabez" and "Left Behind"?), but I was willing to give it a shot.

William P. Young's book has an intriguing premise. Years ago, a father name MacKenzie Phillips took his children camping and lost one of them to a man who has kidnapped and killed others. Mack has grieved since then. His marriage has struggled. Understandably, his relationship with God has suffered. Then, one wintry day, he receives a note in his mailbox inviting him back to the woods, to the shack in which his daughter's dress and bloodstains were found. The note, it would seem, is from God.

From this simple yet effective premise, Young leads Mack Phillips back to his point of despair and anger. The encounters he then has with God there in "The Shack" serve as thought-provoking moments for both Mack and the reader. This is not the God of stodgy Sunday school classes. This is not a flannel-graph Jesus. This is not limited to a fluttering dove of the Holy Spirit. The descriptions here are startling, while remaining true to the nature of God's love and grace as portrayed through Scripture. Not only are they startling, they're wise and moving and beautiful.

Some might argue that "The Shack" has little theology or accuracy to it, but the very argument is what Young is trying to melt away. I earned a Bachelor's from a Bible college, and the majority of Mack's godly encounters could be wrapped up in biblical theology: redemption, grace, forgiveness, propitiation, etc. Do I agree with every line of the book? Not necessarily. Yet, while never sounding like trite religion (because they're not and never should be!), the words spoken by God in this book are full of vibrancy and life.

Is it the best crafted novel ever? No. In many ways, it could be encapsulated in a non-fiction treatise. However, in sharing this remarkable tale in a fictional form, Young has breathed wonder and wisdom into a story that will continue to buzz around for years to come.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Parable, Not a Text on Systematic Theology, October 4, 2008
By lsjohns (Texas) - See all my reviews
I read The Shack as a book discussion group assignment (said group consisting of theologically conservative pastors), and I can understand why the book is upsetting to many--whether because of the subject matter (the murder of a child) or because of some of the book's theological implications.

However, I think many are missing the point that the book is a parable, not a doctrinal treatise. I found reading the book to be an incredibly moving experience, and have (cautiously) recommended it to those in my circle of acquaintance whom I think would be able to digest its message.

I do find it interesting that so many evangelical Christians have had such a negative visceral reaction to this novel. This is especially remarkable in light of the fact that, by and large, evangelical Christianity has embraced C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia--this despite the fact that Lewis wove animism, Greek philosophy, and Roman mythology into his parabolic communication of Christian truth. Not to put too fine a point on it, but is it any more offensive to present God in the form of an African-American woman who cooks scones, than it is to present God's Son as an animal which imparts blessing to children by licking them in the face? (Incidentally, I thoroughly enjoyed the Narnian Chronicles as well.)

My recommendation: If you want theology, read the works of theologians. (Watch out for Sproul and other 5-pointers, though.) If you want an emotionally moving parable which hammers home the importance of a personal relationship with God, then buy and read--and be touched by--The Shack.
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372 of 460 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Breaking Report from a former Shack Promoter, November 26, 2007
This is going to be a unique review in that I could give this book five stars or one...I've chosen the one star category, admittedly for visibility (and also because it's stuck on 1 and I can't change it), only because I feel it so important to caution people about who they give this book to, and to point out what's missing (and encourage discussion group facilitators to point it out).

I was giving copies of this book out left and right, and most everyone responded to it the same way I did--with much enthusiasm. This book answers masterfully the question of suffering. It is also a fresh breeze for Christians who've been burned by religion, or simply want to be drawn into a deeper walk with God. For those reasons I will continue to give out copies of The Shack to those I think will respond as most people seem to.

However, I've discovered first hand that while the The Shack can be an instrument of salvation to one person, it can be an instrument of destruction for another. I gave it to a friend of mine who is a deeply spiritual New Ager, as well as extremely intellectual. I knew this was probably the only Christian book he could stomach, and I felt he'd actually like it. I was more than right. He LOVED it. He re-read it, taking notes. I had to wait several days before meeting with him to discuss the book, and during that time a haunting question plagued me: Did my friend love this book because it brought him closer to the Truth? Or because it only reinforced his belief that all paths lead to "The Divine?"

In the course of our conversation, my worst fears were realized. I point blank asked my friend, "So do you think the author's intent was to adhere to the fundamental Christian belief that Jesus is the only way to the one true God?" Without hesitation, he said, "Oh no, I didn't see that at all."

People will continue to defend The Shack as THE BOOK to give to unsaved loved ones, but if my friend remains eternally lost, all the 5 stars combined will not matter. To put this book into the hands of someone wanting to read in to it what they want to (and Young makes that very easy, as is evidenced by some of the replies to this post) is a little bit too much like giving a three year old a piece of hard candy. I can't just cross my fingers and hope it goes down safely.

The other tragedy of The Shack is that two important elements are either downplayed or left out intirely: The Word of God and The Body of Christ. Jesus left us both in which to find Him. Sadly, Mack was left with neither.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A SPIRITUAL OREO: FICTION-THEOLOGY-FICTION
How would you feel toward God if a serial killer brutally murdered your six-year-old child? If God is supremely good and all-powerful, why would He permit this unspeakable evil... Read more
Published 31 minutes ago by Edwin Scroggins

4.0 out of 5 stars The author sure liked that Matrix movie
Are the Wachowski brothers getting any royalties now that the Oracle is playing God in this book?
Published 1 hour ago by A. Ferguson

1.0 out of 5 stars Failure in Communication
This is a review for Amazon - I have not recieved my book. I have emailed the vendor and they will not respond. I have contacted Amazon and they have not responded. Read more
Published 1 hour ago by Ernie Davis

4.0 out of 5 stars A great spiritual connection
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to send one of your own children to hell? Not many of us can even fathom what it would be like to be God and make decisions like this... Read more
Published 1 hour ago by J. M. Wilhelm

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
I think The Shack is a beautiful book. Honestly I just can't understand why there is any controversy over it at all. Read more
Published 15 hours ago by Tara of Tara's View of the World

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shack
The book, The Shack, was purchased for our study group. Newsweek had referred to it as rather 'hokey'. We found the book a very stimulating source for discussion. Read more
Published 19 hours ago by Joann M. White

1.0 out of 5 stars Less than one star
The only reason I finished this book was because it was picked for my book club. If not for that I would have thrown it in the garbage can. Read more
Published 19 hours ago by J. J. Tolin

5.0 out of 5 stars I hope it becomes a movie!
I loved this book! I really hope it becomes a movie in the near future!
Published 1 day ago by J. Robertson

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT!!
I am lost for words on this book. I talk about it everyday to everybody I meet. I wish that everyone could read it. Read more
Published 1 day ago by A. Coley

5.0 out of 5 stars My Thoughts
Throughout my life, I have grown up in the church. It wasn't until I read "The Shack" that I truly realized the amazing love of God for His children. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mrs. S

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Product Information from the Amapedia Community

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The Shack

This is a: A critique of arguments that The Shack somehow proves that A.A. is anti-Christian

The Shack and Alcoholics Anonymous: The Shack has created quite a stir among the reading public and a number of over zealous religious writers. The book, of course, needs to stand on its own as a supposed plea for universalism and supposed foe

Publisher: Windblown Media;  Edition: 1st;  Number Of Pages: 256; ...

Created on Sep 09, 2008, last edited on Sep 09, 2008.

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