I’ve had several people ask if I would review The Shack, a fictional novel written by William P. Young. A friend I met online from Ireland was kind enough to send me a copy as a gift and I read it last week.
I must admit to you (and this might not surprise some) that I am immediately suspicious of anything Christian that is popular. I’m of the opinion that the mainstream, the fashionable, the trendy, the crowd, the herd, the pack, the majority, the masses, are usually wrong. So I reluctantly opened the book and began reading with skeptical eyes. I’m also not a great fan of fiction. I tend towards non-fictional works, my favorite genre being biographical. And, curiously, these are precisely the two areas where the book both fails and succeeds for me. So I want to tell you what I think are the book’s weaknesses, then its strengths. But then I want to conclude with a general observation.
The Shack doesn’t really fail, but in the minds of many, it seems to. I googled the book and read several reviews and opinions. Strange! Even though this may not be the best written prose, it is Young’s first work and it does transport the story fairly well. I found some parts of it a little stilted. If they are making this into a movie, I hope they do not include the long monologues. It felt preachy in parts. That would be boring to sit through. And even though I didn’t find it difficult to eat the meat and spit out the bones, some of it did feel naive and New Agey and I found those sections challenging to take in stride. So I wouldn’t use it as a theology text. I wouldn’t hand it to someone and tell them that this is what I believe about God or the Faith.
However, that being said, let me tell you what happened to me when I read the book. I cried. Why? I have a young daughter. I also need to move deeper into forgiveness. I also know what it means to carry a great sadness. I also know what it means to feel distant from the Lord… etc., etc.. But read what Young himself writes:
As you read the story, we pray that God will touch your heart and open up places where you might be stuck, and help you see the way he loves you in richer and deeper tones and colors and sounds. We believe that this book is a gift to you. As words on a page, it has no power to do anything, but as you read don’t be surprised when something happens inside that you were not expecting. That is so like Jesus.
That, folks, would be the purpose of the book. And it achieved that for me. Like opening the curtains and the windows in my own shack of a heart, it breathed in new winds that I wasn’t expecting. It was a gift to me, not just physically but spiritually as well. Even though I knew right from the beginning that it wasn’t a true story (some people have apparently planned to travel to the location of the story’s setting to meet Mack! Huh?), the biographical nature of the book was a tool that helped me keep reading. I actually became curious as to what else it might do to me. I didn’t learn any new theology. I didn’t learn anything new about God. But that is not its purpose.
Which brings me to my final observation. This is a work of fiction! The author writes that its purpose is to awaken you, help you feel something, unlock your heart, surprise you, and so on. It isn’t meant to be a theological text. It is, in other words, a piece of art. Whether good or bad, that is up to you to decide (I refuse to use those two categories for art). I am surrounded with art. I am an artist myself. I listen to all kinds of music. God save me if all I listen to is theologically correct music. (What does that sound like anyway?) I surround myself with paintings and photographs. What do they say? Be sure that they say all kinds of things. Some of it isn’t “correct”, but all of it is valid and has a right to be said. I watch lots of movies. I may not personally appreciate or agree with everything that they communicate. But I love how diverse and varietal films can be and how they can shed new light on old ideas or open new vistas of possibilities in the dull and boring routine I often find myself in. I have a library full of books. You would never be able to peg where I stand theologically from looking at my diverse collection. I expose myself to all kinds of art because I love diversity and what all art may have to say or contribute to my life.
Young is a story-teller, and I think a decent one. I suspect he will improve too. He will refuse, I hope, to be labelled a theologian. But as I’ve said and as he himself has implied, this is not his calling. I don’t care if God appears to me as a an old man, a Jamaican woman, a donkey, a cloud or a fire. I don’t care if pronouncements are made from a stone crying out or the trees of the field clapping their hands or out of the mouth of babes. These are all incidental, but they are all theological. I agree: let’s analyze what is being said. Let’s critique the message. Let’s evaluate the medium. But let’s also remember, this is just a story that can be appreciated (or not) on its own merit. On those grounds I think it’s worth a read.
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David Hayward is an artist trapped in a pastor's body, stripping to the essential.
Hey, I am reading that as well. Now in fact. It came as a benison to me, to know that i am not the only one going through a great sadness but of a different kind. I like the way Papa replied Mack about her listening to funk and not churchier music like Mormon’s Tabernacle Choir. Every music, and art for that matter, has a certain message the author wishes to convey, and her being God, listens to all her/his children. Its heart-warming.
But it struck a deep question in me. Can the God in The Shack, be the same God of the Bible? Can such intimacy be possible for one who is so broken like Mack?
I am glad you did enjoy the book. Yup, its fiction. While some principles in the story are still truths, everything should be taken with a pinch of salt, no?
Love,
Alex
From what I have read and heard, it sounds like your review is very fair. I am choosing not to read the book. I have read some excerpts, and for me, it is too much like “reimagining” God….a little Oprah-esque. However, if people are getting something true and good from it, that’s great. I have conversed with some people who are almost “cultish” about it, which I found odd.
I do have some concerns that it might not be the best choice for a seeker or New Ager. Seems like it would take them further down those roads? But again, I haven’t read it all myself, so it may not be fair to say that.
Totally concur with all you have said and everybody I know who has read it has cried too.
Like most art it communicates something beyond the intellect. I cried too.
Although I’ve read books with more “brilliant” writing, this story got under my skin. I found the author’s way of describing things–especially supernatural things–really picturesque. I loved the section where Mack is allowed to spend a night seeing things through God’s eyes; it was like the author was deconstructing the process of forgiveness into such beautiful bits and pieces. That chapter made me remember all the times I’ve been given the opportunity to forgive. It caused me to wonder how many people’s spirits are really shorting out instead of joining the chorus. Of course, I also closed the book with gratitude that I don’t have to live my life with the eyes of God. (I don’t think I would want that “gift” 24-7.)
I didn’t read the book looking for theological answers and it didn’t slap me upside the head with any. But I did feel differently about a few things after reading. For one thing, the concept of trinity–three gods in one–deepened and coalesced for me. For the first time in my life, I “got” that idea that relationship (even within God) is crucial. Somehow this story has made/is causing me to think harder about things like living connection, communication, submission, and love. For that reason alone, I’d recommend the book.
Thanks for the great review, David!
Thanks.
I actually got stuck reading this book – as I think I must be a bit of a literary snob and couldn’t get past how awkward it read, but I am slowly being inspired to persevere and read on.
Also thanks for talking about your art on your blog, I recieved a print of yours for my birthday (the one of Jesus coming through the cross) – I doubt my husband would go ploughing through etsy (except for the rare occasion). I love the print.
As a curiosity, could you possibly give specifics on what felt ‘New Agey’ about the book? I’ve heard a few people make that kind of comment, but didn’t see that at all myself. Admittedly the term ‘New Age’ itself is a vague one so maybe fleshing your thoughts out a bit more might be helpful in this area. My general understanding of New Agers is that they generally take ideas from different religions and coalesce them into their own personal belief system (Hense the vagueness of what it means to be ‘New Age’)
As I fell in love with the Chronicles of Narnia and saw it depicting the battle of faith in our lives as believers, I too fell in love with the writing of The Shack and the intense inward battle to just believe in the goodness of God. Both are novels. I no more believe one purports goddess worship or anything New Age as I would believe that Aslan would lead me to make an idol of a lion and worship it. Thanks for your review. I hope a few more people will actually pick it up and read it for themselves.
Rick, I guess you were addressing me when you asked about a New Age perspective.
Here is just one quote from the book that is an example:
“evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence”. Very similar thought to “A Course in Miracles”.
Please remember that I did say I have only read excerpts and realize I can’t give the same feedback as someone who has read the entire book.
Abundant, thanks for your reply. I was asking David because he had said it felt a bit ‘New Agey’ to him and he had read the whole thing.
I would say that the idea of evil being the absence or a privation of good is a very old orthodox christian belief.
David. Many thanks for your wee review. I certainly resonate with many of your thoughts about The Shack. If you’re interested, you might like to check out my review here and a few links here.
Thanks again.
Believe it or not, I am an artist as well. I hope I did not give the impression I don’t even think this book should be out there for people to enjoy and get something out of. At the same time, I do think we all should feel we have the freedom to express different ways of looking at it.
Hi. I got your link off of my friend’s blog….markpetersen.wordpress.com.
regarding what you say about the book and about art? all I can say is :
PREACH IT, BROTHER, LONG AND LOUD. And who better than you, an “artist trapped in a pastor’s body. YES!
bw
I went to my barber this week and she gave me a copy of this book to read. I’m an advid reader and love fiction. The majority of the books I read are not Christian, so when I come across a Christian author, I’m usually pretty excited.
I started reading it yesterday and I liked the style almost immediately. (I doesn’t hurt that I’m just about Mack’s age, and that we moved to the NW about five years ago)
I’m not particularly troubled about the he/she characterization of God; look at how the scripture personifies wisdom as a ’she’. Also, there was a cute TV show a couple of years ago that portrayed God as all kinds of folk, it was fun to try to ‘pick’ out God before He made it clear it was Him; to me it goes with the description in Genesis that “male and female created he them” in His Image.
I liked the comparison with CS Lewis’ books. I just finished re-reading ‘Prince Caspian’ in antisipation to seeing the movie; and was reminded that the kids are protrayed as “kids” and not some ‘biblical character’ which I find, most often, are rendered as shallow and devoid of foibles that make us all human.
Everyone has some kind of a ‘great sadness’ and may have struggled for years with it. It is a truth, I believe, that God hurts right along side of each of His Children. If this book gives a glimpse into that truth, and helps us draw nearer to His Grace, this book will be of value to each reader.
One last point, in response to “Abundant”s comment on evil and darkness: I believe Mr Young is quite right in that these are words we use to describe the absence of goodness and light; they have no essence within themselves. God is described as being Good and being Light; therefore evil and darkness are ways to describe when God’s influence is lacking.
I think the comment about evil and darkness being simply a lack of goodness and light is something to at least be aware of. The Bible is very clear that Satan is indeed real. He would like us to believe the lie that he is not…
what is amazing is how we think of any book, that if “i can just read this book” the insatiable desire of my heart will be quenched.”
pagan texts make people cry too . fornicating makes people cry. getting stoned or drunk ditto. these do not indicate that all is well or that healing is taking place. THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE RAISING RED FLAGS CANNOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. I SAW THE AUTHOR ON VIDEO AND HE APPEARS TO BE SELLING SOMETHING TO ME. IF HE WERE IN THE BACK OF MY CAB, I’D KEEP ONE EYE ON HIM– CABBIES LEARN TO DISTINGUISH A PERSON OF INTEGRITY OR A CON ARTIST VERY QUICKLY—THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT. THIS GUY IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED . MAYBE NOT TOSSED OUT —BUT NEVERTHELESS—THE BOOK IS WEAK –JUST PLAIN WEAK.
BUT GIVING IT ANYMORE ATTENTION THAN NECESSARY IS NOT RIGHT.
MANY YEARS AGO I LEARNED THE DEVIL’S BIG PLOY IS TO GET PEOPLE SO
DISTRACTED WITH ANY KIND OF BEST SELLER THAT THEY WILL NEGLECT
THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER. NEVER ONCE DOES MACK HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SATAN OF THE SCRIPTURES—HE’S COMPLETELY ABSENT.
LOOKIT FOLKS, THIS BOOK IS PUPPY STUFF COMPARED TO WHAT IS COMING ON THE EARTH BEFORE THE LORD’S RETURN–IF WE CANNOT DISCERN THE BULONEY HERE, HOW WILL YOU DEAL WITH SATAN AT YOUR FRONT DOOR TOMMOROW ?
I CAN ALREADY SEE THE PYROTECHNICS OF THE MOVIE. COUNTERFEIT SPIRITUALITY–IT’S JUST LIKE CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD. C’ ONNNNN!
SNAP OUT OF IT. GRACE IS NOT SO CHEAP.
OH BUT WE MUST LET THE ARTISTS GIVE US OUR THEOLOGY MUSN’T WE !
YES, MORE MOOSHY MUSIC TOO TO LULL US INTO OUR “SPITITUAL ZONE”.
MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN GETTING ON WITH THE REAL.
I ‘M NOT IMPRESSED. I FELT “RAPED” FROM HAVING READ IT AND I WILL NOT BE SILENT ABOUT IT. IT STINKS . IT STICKS OUT LIKE A 3 DOLLAR BILL. WHICH PART OF DISCERNMENT DON’T WE UNDERSTAND?
the author of shack obviously writes from his own pain. many of us concoct the kind of God we need to face our particular need. Terrorists see in God a vengeful person—thus they act as they think the god of theIr concoction would have them act.
immaturity—mostly. if i truly could commend it i would. i cannot. so i won’t.
yet God is active always. if this heretical book pushes people back to the scriptures—satan has lost again! he always overplays.
so i’ll say one good thing–since it is worth saying– talk with the living word
about it. books are idolatry to some of us. WHERE DO WE GET THE NTION THAT GOING TO SOME GUYS CREATIVE WRITING IS GOING TO CONNECT ME TO THE LORD?
WE GET THE NOTION BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS OR PATIENCE TO GO TO GOD FOR OURSELVES=—-NO NO , WE’S MUCH RATHER HAVE OUR EARS TICKLED–AND IF YOU MAKE ME CRY—WELL , WE’LL THROW MONEY AT YOU!
NOT IMPRESSED. IT’S ANEIMIC–WHICH MEANS WITHOUT BLOOD !
REALLY , UGGGG,
Dear tim forster,
Though i agree with you partially, I wanted to raise a point here. My purpose on earth is to form a relationship with God and to nurture that given eternal relationship. Now do we ever ned to go searching for Satan in every book? I personally do not think that it was William P. Young’s belief that Satan is non existent. I just don’t see the point in painting Satan in every picture. Hey, life’s not all about battling satan. The constant search for Satan will only draw our attention from giving God the affection and attention that is due onto him [thats another form of idolatry really. We would adore hatred for Satan than love for Christ]. I’m speaking from experience really.
We battle and fight against Satan only as an expression of love for our Redeemer. We battle against him because he is against us, because we are with Jesus.
Books written by men, aren’t 100% reliable . You are right tim. But hey, give Young a break, man. If God can use his book to touch ppl’s life afresh, who are we to condemn the book? Really. Who are we?
Love ya,
Alex
This book brought to my mind my favorite poem:
I walked a mile with gladness, she chattered all the way
But left me none the wiser for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sadness and nere a word said she
But ah, the things I learned from her when sadness walked with me.
Its not the words written in the “Shack”, its the walk with sadness that only those who have had that walk can appreciate.
Sorry so many reviewers got lost in the chatter. They missed the whole point.