I’m not entirely sure why this book is SO popular. It’s a good story: Mack, devastated by family tragedy, has suffered depression for four years. Then he has a note, apparently from God, inviting him to spend a weekend with him…

The majority of the book is taken up with Mack’s conversations with the three Persons of God. Much of what is said is positive and encouraging, as he learns about the nature of unconditional love and forgiveness. Perhaps the theology veers towards universalism, but it IS fiction, and should be taken as such.

I nearly gave up on this book. The first few chapters are so badly written, I wanted to get out a red pen and edit them. The descriptions are ponderous, full of clichés, repetitions and unnecessary adjectives.

Fortunately it gets a lot better once the conversations with God begin, and I did get more drawn into the story. There were one or two very emotional moments that brought a tear to my eye, and while I didn’t actually read or learn anything new, there were some good reminders about the importance of relationship as opposed to rules in the Christian life.

Recommended to anyone caught up in rule-based religion, or wanting to know more about the nature of God. Just don’t forget that it’s one man’s fictional interpretation, not absolute truth. It’s also very ‘American’.