I heard such amazing things about it. But while I read it I kept saying when is it supposed to get good? But I truly enjoyed the end and made it all worth while.
I have heard a lot of buzz about it. I picked up a copy recently for literally almost nothing and will likely read it next year some time. I am also aware it is a very Christian-centric book, but, as a former Christian, (and open-minded agnostic,) I should have no problem following the allegories I am sure are present.
I would agree with that. The novel got tedious at times, but it was a beautiful story. The movie brought out the theme of redemption and forgiveness just as clearly, and left out some things without displacing or distorting the theme and grace of the story.
I didn’t hate it, but after several of my friends had recommended it (long before the movie was even announced) I was expecting to be blown away by it. It was good… but not worth the rave reviews I had heard. I am interested in seeing how the movie adaptation is though. I think it may turn out to be one of the rare instances when I prefer the movie version.
Someone (whom I thought to be quite conservatively religious) gave it to me during very a particular time in my life, with warnings that it might be a bit of a “weird” or strange approach etc. I found it great comfort at that time and still read it at from time to time. I loved the whole concept and wish more people could be that open-minded about God.
This book was recommended to me after the sudden, tragic death of someone very close to me. I read it, realizing I’m skeptical of many of the topics it would address, and I am not Christian—but I’m also very open-minded, & was looking desperately for help in healing. My opinion—unless you are a fairly deep believer—it’s contrived and over-the-top.
Couldn’t finish it the first time round, I felt it got too monotonous at some point. I watched the movie last month and I think it helped. I’ll have another go next year.
I really dont have a great relationship with God after losing my son. So was very much bblluurr this book is going to be rubbish. I ended up loving it and cried through most of it. A very emotional book.
I liked it. I think if we stop “seeing” God as an authoritative male in our heads, we can advance our world. It was a risky, interesting book that stayed with me long after I read it.
Me too. Hated it. One of my best friends LOVED it, always insists it impacted her greatly, but I was totally turned off by it–and I finished it nonetheless because I wanted to able to defend my position on its value. Take it for what its worth though; he couldn’t get it published, so it went out as a self-published book. There are only a limited number of them in circulation, but I’ve seen it in places like airport gift shops.
I’m reading it now. Not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I like the message it is trying to send, but I still find myself skimming through large sections, trying to get through it faster.
Somehow I knew all this and hadn’t read it and didn’t want to read it. Is that intuition? I must have heard someone talking about it? It just looked like something I wouldn’t enjoy. Hmmmm
It was self-published, which tells a lot about a book. He couldn’t get any publisher to agree to publish it for him. I didn’t like it at all, but a friend of mine tears up every time we talk about it because she was so touched by it. Different folks have different tastes.
@Marscha My book group read it and I found that the regular church goers disliked it and the most agnostic among us loved it. It was interesting to see how our personal feelings about God influenced our take on the book. I found similar reactions from those outside my group, as well.
@Lynn yes, it was an awful book. I was responding to the previous post, suggesting our feelings about god influenced our feelings about the book. I don’t agree.
I’m interested to see what people say. I didn’t like it as much as the person who gifted it to me.
I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a very interesting perspective on the trinity.
Was not impressed.
I enjoyed it – but I enjoyed the conversation it sparked even more!
Not impressed.
I enjoyed it
It was okay.
I heard such amazing things about it. But while I read it I kept saying when is it supposed to get good? But I truly enjoyed the end and made it all worth while.
I know a fee people that loved it, but I didn’t think it was that great.
Did not like it!
I have heard a lot of buzz about it. I picked up a copy recently for literally almost nothing and will likely read it next year some time. I am also aware it is a very Christian-centric book, but, as a former Christian, (and open-minded agnostic,) I should have no problem following the allegories I am sure are present.
Tedious
It was required reading for my college students because it will stretch the reader’s image(s) of God. It will make you think.
I wanted to like it, but it did not resonate with me.
It was okay.
I haven’t read it, but my wife loves it.
I was not impressed.
Did anyone see the movie?
Loved the book and the movie
Loved it!
@Annie I think I liked the movie better. I read the book first and the movie left out a few things.
I would agree with that. The novel got tedious at times, but it was a beautiful story. The movie brought out the theme of redemption and forgiveness just as clearly, and left out some things without displacing or distorting the theme and grace of the story.
Couldn’t finish it. I didn’t like it at all.
Funny the first time I read half of it. Then a few years later I started it over and finished it. ?
The end is the best part!
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! One of my favorite books.
I didn’t care for it.
Meh
I loved it
I enjoyed it
It was okay.
I thought it was clever
Personally I hated it. God is a He.
That was a little weird a woman they called Papa
Too simplistic for my taste although I read the whole book.
I watched the movie and couldn’t stop crying
Me too!!! I went to watch it at the theater with my mother. Omg!!! I cried so hard just at the thought of losing my child.
Talk about needing a box of Kleenex ! Lol
I had a very hard time with his (Wm. Paul Young’s) style of writing…
Couldn’t get through it
Try again. I felt the same way but finished it the second time around.
I really liked it. I thought the concept was really interesting.
I liked the movie better :ducks:
Me too!
Loved it. I am not religious in a formal way, but I certainly have faith.m
Read it several years ago. I finished it, but thought it was overrated.
Hated it
I thought it was interesting, but a little out there
I enjoyed it as well as the movie.
I tried hard to like it and gave up 2/3 in…
So so.
I too did not finish a couple of years ago; I plan to try again one day
I didn’t hate it, but after several of my friends had recommended it (long before the movie was even announced) I was expecting to be blown away by it. It was good… but not worth the rave reviews I had heard. I am interested in seeing how the movie adaptation is though. I think it may turn out to be one of the rare instances when I prefer the movie version.
It made me think!
I have read it three times and listened to it once. One of my all time favorite books.
It was tough, but I liked it a lot. I loved the movie. The whole story is thought provoking.
Did not like
I didn’t like it either…
Good, but soooo sad…
i loved it. you don’t have to be a devout christian to appreciate
I liked it
My friends raved about it and told me I would love it, but I wasn’t really impressed with it at all.
It’s A Soulful and challenging read I would suggest doing it with friends
I loved it!
Someone (whom I thought to be quite conservatively religious) gave it to me during very a particular time in my life, with warnings that it might be a bit of a “weird” or strange approach etc. I found it great comfort at that time and still read it at from time to time. I loved the whole concept and wish more people could be that open-minded about God.
Loved it!
Me, too!
Horrible. I gave up very early in the book. Definitely not my kind of book.
Ditto.
Ditto.
But my husband liked the book.
I book that forever sticks in my brain, and took hold of my heart.
Started out great but at the middle not so much. Did not finish it
Not really my kind of book, but I can see its appeal.
I read it long ago, but liked it, as I recall.
Unrealistic.
This book was recommended to me after the sudden, tragic death of someone very close to me. I read it, realizing I’m skeptical of many of the topics it would address, and I am not Christian—but I’m also very open-minded, & was looking desperately for help in healing. My opinion—unless you are a fairly deep believer—it’s contrived and over-the-top.
Really liked it!
I tried it, but didn’t get too far. I saw the movie last year and really liked it.
Haven’t tried it yet
Loved it. It put a lot into perspective for me. And I’m not a super religious person and definitely fall more on the side of skeptical in life.
Shake well to digest ..
Loved it!!
It was ok
I could not finish it.
Meh.
Loved every page!
I liked it.
Couldn’t finish it the first time round, I felt it got too monotonous at some point. I watched the movie last month and I think it helped. I’ll have another go next year.
I enjoyed it! Movie was eh
Loved it.
Really like it, read it twice, Very good story, I like to think it is how things are….
Me too
Loved it. Lots of crying
Thought it was one of the worst books I’ve ever read.
Me too!
Very moving for me. A connection I could relate to.
Loved it and the movie. Plan on rereading it!
Loved it
Very interesting and challenging
I found it interesting, enlightening and brilliant
I enjoyed it
I really dont have a great relationship with God after losing my son. So was very much bblluurr this book is going to be rubbish. I ended up loving it and cried through most of it. A very emotional book.
So sorry for your loss, Lynne.
Oh Thank you @Mary x Merry Christmas hun x
Liked it
Gag. I felt it was misrepresented.
I liked it. I think if we stop “seeing” God as an authoritative male in our heads, we can advance our world. It was a risky, interesting book that stayed with me long after I read it.
Well said!
Did not like it
I loved it
Interesting concept, but not a fan of the author’s writing style. I feel it could have been a much better book, in the hands of a different author.
I HAAATED IT. So much so that I simply could not finish it ?
Me too. Hated it. One of my best friends LOVED it, always insists it impacted her greatly, but I was totally turned off by it–and I finished it nonetheless because I wanted to able to defend my position on its value. Take it for what its worth though; he couldn’t get it published, so it went out as a self-published book. There are only a limited number of them in circulation, but I’ve seen it in places like airport gift shops.
I hated it too and could not finish it.
@Marscha so glad I’m in good company! I hate being critical of a book that so many others loved. I just didn’t love it and that’s ok too ?
@Judy again, I’m glad some others feel this way too.
I finished it but did not like it!
My husband loved it. I just couldn’t get into it.
I thought it was great!
Loved it!
Eh
Loved it!
Read it for book club. It was better than I thought it would be. Loved the refreshing views of God.
I liked the idea of it but got bogged down in the preachiness of it
Not a fan of the writing style but a,big fan of love.
I’m reading it now. Not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I like the message it is trying to send, but I still find myself skimming through large sections, trying to get through it faster.
My thoughts exactly.
I have a hard time with any books that deal with children being mistreated. ( Correct book?) I hung in there -not sure if I would now.
I had a hard time with The Lovely Bones also.
Really liked it. In fact gave it as Christmas gifts to family one year. A usual it is better than the movie!
Beautiful and tragic. I don’t think I’d reread
Foolish theology. Misleading and naive.
I haven’t read bc I thought it was religious gimmicky, not sure why I thought that. What is it about?
Religious gimmicky
I haven’t read it but I heard it wasn’t that good
Difficult but thought provoking. Reminds us that many are walking wounded and kindness and patience are so needed!
I liked it.
Loved it as did my husband. A true gift in understanding how to overcome tragedy and the power of faith.
Kinda sentimental
Didn’t like it, superficial
Agree with many of the comments: foolish theology, overly sentimental, gimmicky, “meh” writing. Didn’t enjoy it (can’t you tell?)
Did not enjoy it.
Somehow I knew all this and hadn’t read it and didn’t want to read it. Is that intuition? I must have heard someone talking about it? It just looked like something I wouldn’t enjoy. Hmmmm
It just plain old sucked. Too hokey and just plain boring.
Got the book for 50 cents. Saw the movie. Didn’t want to read the book. Really a lot of hype.
I feel so bitter that I wasted so much money on this book. $3.99 and I’m so bitter because it was so bad!
It was self-published, which tells a lot about a book. He couldn’t get any publisher to agree to publish it for him. I didn’t like it at all, but a friend of mine tears up every time we talk about it because she was so touched by it. Different folks have different tastes.
@Marscha My book group read it and I found that the regular church goers disliked it and the most agnostic among us loved it. It was interesting to see how our personal feelings about God influenced our take on the book. I found similar reactions from those outside my group, as well.
I’m an atheist, and I hated it.
@Mary Same here. But I didn’t hate it because I’m an atheist, I hated it because it’s an awful book :/
@Lynn yes, it was an awful book. I was responding to the previous post, suggesting our feelings about god influenced our feelings about the book. I don’t agree.
Read it, regrettably!
It really affected me but i think because I lost a child it hit me more than it would have if i hadnt lost my son.
I avoid books about tragedy and heartbreak.
I didn’t care for it at all.
Interesting read and concept. Too easy an ending for me
i liked it, i am not a religious person
I like to start reading books not knowing a thing about it. As soon as I got to the religious part, I put it down.
Worst book ever…. I read a lot and felt like I got sucked into false advertising.
I tried to.
Have had it for about 2 years and just can’t drum up the interest to start reading it. Need to read eventhe first chaptt
I read it and found it to be an interesting and unique concept. I don’t remember much about it, but know I didn’t hate it.