Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Book Review Brief: The Shack by William P. Young

I didn't really want to read The Shack. I'm currently interested in reading the classic novels, but my wife and some friends had read this and were eager for discussion. I'm glad I read it because it currently sits atop the New York Times Bestseller list for paperback fiction, so it's good to get an idea of the literature that is popular.

However, I wasn't impressed for a couple of reasons. It's tough when you go from reading classics where the writing contains some of the clearest and most wondrous sentences ever constructed, to a modern novel. I found myself skimming parts of The Shack and I frankly didn't feel like I was missing anything. It read like a throw-away summer beach novel. I'm not saying the subject matter was throw away, in fact it addressed what is to me the most important issue in the world and that is one's relationship with God. The writing though seemed second-rate.

What concerned me the most though was the way it treated the subject matter. I disagreed with some of the ideas that were brought up and more importantly I feel that the Bible disagrees with some of the ideas that were brought up. In fact, to me the author's approach borders on arrogance.

There were some inspirational moments, some moments that were steeped in truth, but I had a hard time getting past some of the postulations and leaps that the book took.

Back to the classics.

1 comment:

tracysbooknook.com said...

I have to say that "The Shack" by William P. Young was a very thought provoking read.

After reading the book, I was left pondering several things about it – which is a true testament to the book's worth. I had several questions on the validity of some of the descriptions of God but I had to humbly admit that there may be no answers this side of heaven for how God presents Himself to each individual.

I posted a more in-depth review of this book on my own blog www.tracysbooknook.com.

-Tracy