Reading bods, The Shack. Thoughts please?

[lettucegrow!]

I'm reading The Shack on recommendation of work colleague but hear from said colleague that some it was lent to were not impressesd. Has anyone read it? And what are your thoughts? it seems to be a thought provocking novel re. finding god.
Thoughts anyone?

[Marthaclematis]

I've read it, I found it on a train and left it on another train on the way back from my destination. I didn't like it at all, its a religeous tome come fairytale which plays on the most basic emotions, a silly, trite, extremely patronising work of nonsense. But that's just my opinion !!! I'm an awful cynic when it comes to being preached at.

[lettucegrow!]

Ha ha! I've got about a third into it and am not sure it's the book I thought, or it's made out to be. Will stick with it as it wont take long but don't think it's going to as thought provoking as I'd hoped. And there's been a book entitled 'Finding God in The Shack' to read after,why? Does it all need explaining?

[FionaH]

Have to say it has been a long while since I read it. Written by a christian for a christian readership I think. I read it during a period of unbelief, I usually have some kind of faith. I found it reasuring in some respects as it deals with the certainty of a loving God offset with the need for justice and balance.
The Christians I know loved this book, the non christians had much the same reaction as Martha above

[Marthaclematis]

I was brought up a Christian. I am lapsed now but even if I wasn't I think I would feel very patronised by this book. Maybe when I was a teenager I might have got something from it but that's because in those days I was an incurable romantic and thought myself very 'deep'. Ha!

[Alison]

A friend of mine tried to read it a while ago and gave up as they claimed it was very patronising. Can't comment myself as her review didn't inspire me to try it and I think the only book I've failed to finish was Cloud Altas and I don't want to force myself through another book

[FionaH]

I was brought up a Christian. I am lapsed now but even if I wasn't I think I would feel very patronised by this book. Maybe when I was a teenager I might have got something from it but that's because in those days I was an incurable romantic and thought myself very 'deep'. Ha!

Oh I remember thinking I was deep too Far too many "meaningful" conversations late at night as well I think I wanted to save the world, by sitting on it mainly

[lettucegrow!]

Ok. I've just finished this book,please note the time!I needed to find out where it as going and will admit it made me cry.
It's all very sad, but there's obviously some controversy here. It's very simplistic and the churchy folk don't like it but hey, isn't the message to just not be judgemental and try to understand eachother. Oh, and gods a female!!! Cos they are better at relationships!!

[FionaH]

Suprising Lettuce grow. I know lots of churchy folk who loved the book. In fact it was two of my Christian friends who reccomended it to me.