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Křižovatky
Anthony Spencer je sebestředný bezcitný boháč, pyšný na své „úspěchy“ v práci, kde se ho všichni bojí, i v rodině, kterou chladnokrevně rozvrátil. Po úrazu hlavy se octne v kómatu na JIP. Jeho tělo leží bez hnutí obklopeno přístroji, jeho mysl se však probouzí v krajině, která zrcadlí Tonyho dosavadní život – zarostlá a nehostinná, opuštěná. Až na toho, který se rozhodl Tonyho nikdy neopustit a pomoci mu nalézt sílu, způsob a především důvody, proč se změnit…Stejně jako Chatrč (2007, česky 2009), kultovní kniha (celosvětově prodáno více než 18 milionů výtisků), v níž se tragédie smrti střetává s věčností božího záměru, jsou i Křižovatky určeny všem, kdo v kolotoči moderního světa hledají naplnění slov, jako je víra, láska a odpuštění.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
1053 people are currently reading
11119 people want to read
About the author
William Paul Young
33 books2,499 followersWm. Paul Young is a Canadian author. Young was the oldest of four. He spend the majority of his first decade with his missionary parents in the highlands of Netherlands New Guinea (West Papua), among the Dani, a tribal people. When he was six he was sent to a boarding school.
The manuscript, that later became The Shack, was intended only for his six kids and for a handful of close friends. After multiple rejections by publishers, Young and his friends published the book under the name of their newly created publishing company. The Shack was one of the top-selling fiction books of 2008 and will be a major motion picture in Spring 2017.
Young lives in Happy Valley, Oregon with his wife and has six children and several grandchildren. He is also the author of Crossroads, Eve and the non-fiction book, Lies We Believe About God.
The manuscript, that later became The Shack, was intended only for his six kids and for a handful of close friends. After multiple rejections by publishers, Young and his friends published the book under the name of their newly created publishing company. The Shack was one of the top-selling fiction books of 2008 and will be a major motion picture in Spring 2017.
Young lives in Happy Valley, Oregon with his wife and has six children and several grandchildren. He is also the author of Crossroads, Eve and the non-fiction book, Lies We Believe About God.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,372 reviews
January 30, 2013
I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Shack when I first read it, but two things changed my opinion, and drew me to the writing of Wm Paul Young. The first was that I saw the evident impact this book was having on its readers: people were discovering, in Young’s writing, a new confidence in the truth that God is love and only love. Especially for those raised in a narrowly-defined faith, the Shack was a breakthrough. 18 million sales later – with perhaps 100 million readers – it continues to be so. The second factor was that I read more of Wm Paul Young’s own background and particularly his experiences, as the child of Christian missionaries, suffering sexual abuse. You can read his own reflections in an article written just this year, The Shattered Soul. Understanding his background made me deeply sympathetic to his writing, and deeply appreciative of his achievement.
So what of Cross Roads, a second novel written this time not by an unknown writer who had to print-off the first few copies at a local Copy Shop, but by a global phenomenon and best-selling author? The novel explores the ‘in-between’ spaces at life’s end, through the experience of a Tony – rich, successful, selfish, arrogant: and in a coma. The narrative moves between an invisible world, in which Tony meets with God in various forms and learns deep truths about himself, and the visible world, in which he is miraculously enabled to interact with others whose tragedies have brought them into the hospital in which he lies. Two aspects of the story are particularly compelling. The first is the portrayal of Tony’s own inner world as a kind of country estate: a run-down Downton Abbey in place of the original Shack. This is the landscape he has evidently failed to care for. In exploring the in-between world, he is exploring himself, and he doesn’t like what he finds. The influence of C S Lewis on these passages is clear, and is acknowledged. The second aspect that really grips is the portrayal of Cabby, a Downs-Syndrome boy whose game of hospital hide-and-seek accidentally launches a miraculous and ultimately redemptive adventure. Young takes us inside this boy’s imaginative world, and challenges us to change our perceptions of his value.
In essence Cross roads is about three sets of questions. It is about the question of values: what matters most and have some of us got it wrong? It is about life and death: if our dying was not a single moment, but a drawn-out process, how might we approach it? What might we try to change, given the chance? And it is about the Christian faith: Young is relentlessly orthodox is his efforts to understand life’s ultimate questions. None of these subjects are easy to handle in literature. It is easier by far to write thrillers about serial murderers and the detectives who hunt them down. Darkness lends itself to stronger colours than light in the writing of the contemporary novel. But it is nonetheless worth trying, and Young is something of a trail-blazer in this field. I applaud his efforts, and dare to hope that others will take to the same trail.
So what of Cross Roads, a second novel written this time not by an unknown writer who had to print-off the first few copies at a local Copy Shop, but by a global phenomenon and best-selling author? The novel explores the ‘in-between’ spaces at life’s end, through the experience of a Tony – rich, successful, selfish, arrogant: and in a coma. The narrative moves between an invisible world, in which Tony meets with God in various forms and learns deep truths about himself, and the visible world, in which he is miraculously enabled to interact with others whose tragedies have brought them into the hospital in which he lies. Two aspects of the story are particularly compelling. The first is the portrayal of Tony’s own inner world as a kind of country estate: a run-down Downton Abbey in place of the original Shack. This is the landscape he has evidently failed to care for. In exploring the in-between world, he is exploring himself, and he doesn’t like what he finds. The influence of C S Lewis on these passages is clear, and is acknowledged. The second aspect that really grips is the portrayal of Cabby, a Downs-Syndrome boy whose game of hospital hide-and-seek accidentally launches a miraculous and ultimately redemptive adventure. Young takes us inside this boy’s imaginative world, and challenges us to change our perceptions of his value.
In essence Cross roads is about three sets of questions. It is about the question of values: what matters most and have some of us got it wrong? It is about life and death: if our dying was not a single moment, but a drawn-out process, how might we approach it? What might we try to change, given the chance? And it is about the Christian faith: Young is relentlessly orthodox is his efforts to understand life’s ultimate questions. None of these subjects are easy to handle in literature. It is easier by far to write thrillers about serial murderers and the detectives who hunt them down. Darkness lends itself to stronger colours than light in the writing of the contemporary novel. But it is nonetheless worth trying, and Young is something of a trail-blazer in this field. I applaud his efforts, and dare to hope that others will take to the same trail.
November 19, 2012
William Paul Young’s first novel, The Shack, was a publishing phenomenon. Young wrote the novel for his children to explain his thoughts on God and his theological convictions. More than 18 million copies later, Young had an international bestseller which touched the lives of people all over the globe. Itt has got people thinking about what kind of God, God is,what the Trinity really is and how the persons of God relate to one another.
Cross Roads is Young’s second novel and while sophomore efforts seldom live up to the hype generated by a best selling debut, for my money this is the better novel. While there is a certain similarity between the two novels (i.e. both are about profoundly broken men who are bitter at God after experiencing the loss of a loved one, both books bring the protagonist into a transforming and healing encounter with the triune God) the Shack was less crafted and preachier. Cross Roads is as interesting (and as varied) as it is profound.
If I were to describe the experience of reading this novel, it is a bit like if you cross The Shack with A Christmas Carol, The Great Divorce and Being John Malcovich. The Story begins when Anothony Spencer, a businessman who is highly successful but who has alienated everyone in his life, has a cerebral hemorrhage and slips into a coma. He awakens to find himself in a deserted wasteland where he follows tangled paths up a hillside. There he meets a mysterious stranger named Jack who tells him the place where he is, is not exactly hell but it is not exactly home. Jack gets Tony to think hard about the nature of truth and reality. Soon Jack leaves and Jesus and a mysterious Lakota woman show up (the Holy Spirit in disguise and instructs Tony to call her Grandmother). After that things get really interesting and they send Tony on a journey which will result in his ultimate healing, though not in the way he initially envisions.
The twists and turns in this book make it a fun read (I have tried not to give too much away). This is great storytelling and well worth it. In The Shack Young gave us a picture of his theology by encapsulating it in story. This book is no less theological but it doesn’t try to say everything about God. The theology that is explored here is integral to the plot.
What I really appreciated about this book (and The Shack) is that Young is great at imagining a pursuing God who does not give up on those who, because of the damage and hurt they have suffered, have become embittered souls. The God in these novels is actively seeking, pursuing, calling, but never forcing. The triune God doesn’t demand, but invites. Anytime someone ‘images’ God they get something wrong, but I think these aspects of the book are profoundly right. So go on, read it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
Cross Roads is Young’s second novel and while sophomore efforts seldom live up to the hype generated by a best selling debut, for my money this is the better novel. While there is a certain similarity between the two novels (i.e. both are about profoundly broken men who are bitter at God after experiencing the loss of a loved one, both books bring the protagonist into a transforming and healing encounter with the triune God) the Shack was less crafted and preachier. Cross Roads is as interesting (and as varied) as it is profound.
If I were to describe the experience of reading this novel, it is a bit like if you cross The Shack with A Christmas Carol, The Great Divorce and Being John Malcovich. The Story begins when Anothony Spencer, a businessman who is highly successful but who has alienated everyone in his life, has a cerebral hemorrhage and slips into a coma. He awakens to find himself in a deserted wasteland where he follows tangled paths up a hillside. There he meets a mysterious stranger named Jack who tells him the place where he is, is not exactly hell but it is not exactly home. Jack gets Tony to think hard about the nature of truth and reality. Soon Jack leaves and Jesus and a mysterious Lakota woman show up (the Holy Spirit in disguise and instructs Tony to call her Grandmother). After that things get really interesting and they send Tony on a journey which will result in his ultimate healing, though not in the way he initially envisions.
The twists and turns in this book make it a fun read (I have tried not to give too much away). This is great storytelling and well worth it. In The Shack Young gave us a picture of his theology by encapsulating it in story. This book is no less theological but it doesn’t try to say everything about God. The theology that is explored here is integral to the plot.
What I really appreciated about this book (and The Shack) is that Young is great at imagining a pursuing God who does not give up on those who, because of the damage and hurt they have suffered, have become embittered souls. The God in these novels is actively seeking, pursuing, calling, but never forcing. The triune God doesn’t demand, but invites. Anytime someone ‘images’ God they get something wrong, but I think these aspects of the book are profoundly right. So go on, read it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
July 5, 2012
NOBODY…NOBODY can write about pain and the space between the unimaginable and unconscionable wounds inflicted during life on earth – and the reality of an ever-present loving, grace-filled, redemptive, triune God like Wm. (Paul ) Young. NOBODY…PERIOD!!!
My review and the cover image are here: http://www.billdahl.net/articles/cros...
On September 7, 2007 I wrote a review on Amazon – for a book entitled “The Shack – Where Tragedy Meets Eternity” — “an odd title,” I thought to myself – before I began reading. I had never met the author and had NOT requested a review galley. I read EVERY word on EVERY page. The story – from a character and plot development standpoint – was accretive….you couldn’t jump ahead or go to the conclusion. The story changed my life and introduced me to a dear man, William P. Young….along with a few dozen other folks. The book has sold over 18 million copies and is translated into a myriad of languages.
The author sent me the unpublished manuscript for his new novel Cross Roads – available on November 13, 2012 (Hachette Book Group New York, NY). I finished it in a day…well 8 hours of reading anyway…I savored this book!
I am required to be restrained here: Yes, I have the written authorization from the author to write this review. However, based upon the nature of Paul Young’s new novel Cross Roads, I have agreed to write this piece, without revealing either plot or character(s) – my suggestion – not his. Why?
Other than the obvious (release date is November 13, 2012 and the publisher desires a coordinated approach to pre-launch marketing) — Cross Roads, like The Shack, is a product of the uniquely imaginative mind of Wm. P. (Paul) Young. I have identified twelve, concrete things to share with prospective readers based upon these mutually agreeable guidelines. Here’s my take on Cross Roads:
Paul Young is equipped with what my friend and colleague Ron Cole refers to as a “scandalous, redemptive imagination.” Translation: Paul Young has an ability to write stories that cause creative, tangible, redemptive impacts by virtue of his life experiences, way with words, magnificent mind and incredible imagination. Cross Roads, like The Shack, will cause another cascade of these types of unanticipated, distinctly positive outcomes for a diverse and broad audience. TRUST ME!
Cross Roads is an incredible blessing. I’m afraid that Paul Young has “done it again.” Translation: This book will change readers, just like The Shack has. Cross Roads will be “a healing teaching of unimagined power” (1) for many, many people – just as The Shack continues to be. Your worth in God’s eyes will be revitalized.
Cross Roads will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! It’s infectious. Just like The Shack. You will want to buy a dozen editions of Cross Roads and pass them out to your friends, family, colleagues – and strangers looking bored or forlorn at your local coffee shop, daycare, park or shopping mall.
In Cross Roads, God will come alive in new, positive, and exciting ways for the vast majority of readers…Again, just like The Shack has constructively impacted readers.
Cross Roads will break your heart – while renewing hope, and rewiring unspoken beliefs about self, others, world and God which hamper your health in each and every day.
Cross Roads will cause one to pause – and ponder the application of the lessons of this story to one’s life. Paul Young has an uncanny ability to write stories about where we live – inside the soul of most folks.
Cross Roads will bridge a divide for many, many readers. As one author writes; “To be spiritual is to know/do the truth.”(2)
Cross Roads will be a joy to read. Why? Because the story reflects the author. Paul Young is a guy who “has fun with ideas, moves them around, back and forth, turns them on their head, submits them to ironic reflection, tests them with his imagination and doesn’t get enamored with his own brilliance.(3)
Cross Roads is a connector to what Diana Butler-Bass refers to as “a New Light Form of Faith” defined as those who wish to connect with people and ideas that are different, to explore the meaning of story and history, and to include as many people as possible in God’s embrace.”
Cross Roads will present challenges for many readers as Paul Young does NOT disappoint. He, once again, displays an uncharacteristic, yet refreshing “verve, acumen, care for people and willingness to dance on the edge of tolerance.” (5)
Cross Roads shall span the expanse between faith and belief. As Harvey Cox writes in The Future of Faith: “The wind of the Spirit is blowing. One indication is the upheaval that is shaking and renewing Christianity. Faith, rather than beliefs, is once again becoming its defining quality, and this reclaims what faith meant during its earliest years…All signs suggest we are poised to enter a new Age of the Spirit and that the future will be a future of faith.”(6)
Cross Roads will diminish the distance between oneself and God. It will engender a frank, compassionate confession accompanied by a resolve for repentance on the part of readers. As Donald Miller has said, “The entire world is falling apart because nobody will admit they are wrong. But by asking God to forgive you, you are willing to own your own crap.”(7)
Cross Roads – A Novel by William P. Young. Available November 13, 2012.
As I wrote in my review of The Shack in September 2007, Cross Roads deserves the same words:
The Best Work of Fiction I Have Read in Years!
Well…since The Shack anyway.
BUY THIS BOOK!! Twelve of them.
You’re going to yearn to cross roads to share this gift with others.
NOTES:
(1) McLaren, Brian D. Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road – Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World, Jericho Books – a division of the Hachette Book Group, Inc. New York, NY Copyright © 2012 by Brian D. McLaren.
(2) Sire, James W. Habits of the Mind – Intellectual Life As a Christian Calling, InterVarsity Press Downers Grove, IL Copyright © 2000 by James W. Sire, p. 11.
(3) Ibid. p.26 – Sire’s words – not mine – describing what he defines as a true intellectual.
(4) Butler-Bass, Diana Christianity After Religion – The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening, Harper-One – An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, Copyright © 2012 by Diana Butler-Bass. P. 232.
(5) Kleiner, Art The Age of Heretics – A History of Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management, Second Edition – Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint San Francisco, CA Copyright © 2008 by Art Kleiner – Kleiner’s words describing Saul Alinsky. P.120.
(6) Cox, Harvey The Future of Faith HarperOne – An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers – New York, NY Copyright © 2009 by Harvey Cox, pp.223-4.
(7) Miller, Donald Blue Like Jazz – Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN Copyright © 2003 by Donald Miller. P. 53.
My review and the cover image are here: http://www.billdahl.net/articles/cros...
On September 7, 2007 I wrote a review on Amazon – for a book entitled “The Shack – Where Tragedy Meets Eternity” — “an odd title,” I thought to myself – before I began reading. I had never met the author and had NOT requested a review galley. I read EVERY word on EVERY page. The story – from a character and plot development standpoint – was accretive….you couldn’t jump ahead or go to the conclusion. The story changed my life and introduced me to a dear man, William P. Young….along with a few dozen other folks. The book has sold over 18 million copies and is translated into a myriad of languages.
The author sent me the unpublished manuscript for his new novel Cross Roads – available on November 13, 2012 (Hachette Book Group New York, NY). I finished it in a day…well 8 hours of reading anyway…I savored this book!
I am required to be restrained here: Yes, I have the written authorization from the author to write this review. However, based upon the nature of Paul Young’s new novel Cross Roads, I have agreed to write this piece, without revealing either plot or character(s) – my suggestion – not his. Why?
Other than the obvious (release date is November 13, 2012 and the publisher desires a coordinated approach to pre-launch marketing) — Cross Roads, like The Shack, is a product of the uniquely imaginative mind of Wm. P. (Paul) Young. I have identified twelve, concrete things to share with prospective readers based upon these mutually agreeable guidelines. Here’s my take on Cross Roads:
Paul Young is equipped with what my friend and colleague Ron Cole refers to as a “scandalous, redemptive imagination.” Translation: Paul Young has an ability to write stories that cause creative, tangible, redemptive impacts by virtue of his life experiences, way with words, magnificent mind and incredible imagination. Cross Roads, like The Shack, will cause another cascade of these types of unanticipated, distinctly positive outcomes for a diverse and broad audience. TRUST ME!
Cross Roads is an incredible blessing. I’m afraid that Paul Young has “done it again.” Translation: This book will change readers, just like The Shack has. Cross Roads will be “a healing teaching of unimagined power” (1) for many, many people – just as The Shack continues to be. Your worth in God’s eyes will be revitalized.
Cross Roads will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! It’s infectious. Just like The Shack. You will want to buy a dozen editions of Cross Roads and pass them out to your friends, family, colleagues – and strangers looking bored or forlorn at your local coffee shop, daycare, park or shopping mall.
In Cross Roads, God will come alive in new, positive, and exciting ways for the vast majority of readers…Again, just like The Shack has constructively impacted readers.
Cross Roads will break your heart – while renewing hope, and rewiring unspoken beliefs about self, others, world and God which hamper your health in each and every day.
Cross Roads will cause one to pause – and ponder the application of the lessons of this story to one’s life. Paul Young has an uncanny ability to write stories about where we live – inside the soul of most folks.
Cross Roads will bridge a divide for many, many readers. As one author writes; “To be spiritual is to know/do the truth.”(2)
Cross Roads will be a joy to read. Why? Because the story reflects the author. Paul Young is a guy who “has fun with ideas, moves them around, back and forth, turns them on their head, submits them to ironic reflection, tests them with his imagination and doesn’t get enamored with his own brilliance.(3)
Cross Roads is a connector to what Diana Butler-Bass refers to as “a New Light Form of Faith” defined as those who wish to connect with people and ideas that are different, to explore the meaning of story and history, and to include as many people as possible in God’s embrace.”
Cross Roads will present challenges for many readers as Paul Young does NOT disappoint. He, once again, displays an uncharacteristic, yet refreshing “verve, acumen, care for people and willingness to dance on the edge of tolerance.” (5)
Cross Roads shall span the expanse between faith and belief. As Harvey Cox writes in The Future of Faith: “The wind of the Spirit is blowing. One indication is the upheaval that is shaking and renewing Christianity. Faith, rather than beliefs, is once again becoming its defining quality, and this reclaims what faith meant during its earliest years…All signs suggest we are poised to enter a new Age of the Spirit and that the future will be a future of faith.”(6)
Cross Roads will diminish the distance between oneself and God. It will engender a frank, compassionate confession accompanied by a resolve for repentance on the part of readers. As Donald Miller has said, “The entire world is falling apart because nobody will admit they are wrong. But by asking God to forgive you, you are willing to own your own crap.”(7)
Cross Roads – A Novel by William P. Young. Available November 13, 2012.
As I wrote in my review of The Shack in September 2007, Cross Roads deserves the same words:
The Best Work of Fiction I Have Read in Years!
Well…since The Shack anyway.
BUY THIS BOOK!! Twelve of them.
You’re going to yearn to cross roads to share this gift with others.
NOTES:
(1) McLaren, Brian D. Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road – Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World, Jericho Books – a division of the Hachette Book Group, Inc. New York, NY Copyright © 2012 by Brian D. McLaren.
(2) Sire, James W. Habits of the Mind – Intellectual Life As a Christian Calling, InterVarsity Press Downers Grove, IL Copyright © 2000 by James W. Sire, p. 11.
(3) Ibid. p.26 – Sire’s words – not mine – describing what he defines as a true intellectual.
(4) Butler-Bass, Diana Christianity After Religion – The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening, Harper-One – An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, Copyright © 2012 by Diana Butler-Bass. P. 232.
(5) Kleiner, Art The Age of Heretics – A History of Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management, Second Edition – Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint San Francisco, CA Copyright © 2008 by Art Kleiner – Kleiner’s words describing Saul Alinsky. P.120.
(6) Cox, Harvey The Future of Faith HarperOne – An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers – New York, NY Copyright © 2009 by Harvey Cox, pp.223-4.
(7) Miller, Donald Blue Like Jazz – Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN Copyright © 2003 by Donald Miller. P. 53.
January 11, 2013
Cross Roads, by Wm. Paul Young, is similar to his first book The Shack in that the Holy Trinity has a starring role in the book. Young uses this device effectively in The Shack, but perhaps it is just a tad tiresome when he uses it again in this book. Admittedly, Cross Roads is definitely intended for the Christian market, but Christians (at least this one) want something fresh, too! My reaction to the book reminds me of when you find a great first album by an up and coming band and you are really looking forward to their next release. You rush out to get their sophomore effort and it falls short.
I didn't hate it, mind you, but I just felt disappointed that the same device (Jesus, God and The Holy Spirit appearing in the flesh to save a soul) was used again in much the same way as his first book. What I did like is how Young explains things that are difficult to understand (e.g., heaven, death, why bad things happen to good people) in a way this is comprehensible, compassionate, and, quite frankly, thought-provoking. However, in my opinion, he got a little carried away in the “God sending a sinner for redemption” department.
The sinner, Tony, first meets Jesus and The Holy Spirit; gets sent back to his comatose self; gets his soul transferred to a boy with Down's Syndrome; then his black, female caretaker; then her boyfriend; then back to the female caretaker, etc. As you can see, this gets a little silly. In my opinion, Young could have thought this through more carefully and not made it so fantastic.
Young tries to interject some humor into the book when Tony enters the head of the black female caretaker (Maggie) and then she needs to go to the bathroom. Since he can see everything through her eyes, and she can hear his thoughts, this leads to some comical interplay. Once again, however, the humor is a tad stereotypical of African-American church-goers. I appreciated the attempt at humor, but I’m thinking it could have been handled better.
All in all, the book wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as good as The Shack for reasons already mentioned. If you haven’t read The Shack, perhaps you might enjoy Cross Roads better than I did. Still, Cross Roads is worth a read for the theological insights. I would recommend it, especially if you aren’t going to judge it from a critical thinking standpoint. Just accept it for what it is and enjoy!
I didn't hate it, mind you, but I just felt disappointed that the same device (Jesus, God and The Holy Spirit appearing in the flesh to save a soul) was used again in much the same way as his first book. What I did like is how Young explains things that are difficult to understand (e.g., heaven, death, why bad things happen to good people) in a way this is comprehensible, compassionate, and, quite frankly, thought-provoking. However, in my opinion, he got a little carried away in the “God sending a sinner for redemption” department.
The sinner, Tony, first meets Jesus and The Holy Spirit; gets sent back to his comatose self; gets his soul transferred to a boy with Down's Syndrome; then his black, female caretaker; then her boyfriend; then back to the female caretaker, etc. As you can see, this gets a little silly. In my opinion, Young could have thought this through more carefully and not made it so fantastic.
Young tries to interject some humor into the book when Tony enters the head of the black female caretaker (Maggie) and then she needs to go to the bathroom. Since he can see everything through her eyes, and she can hear his thoughts, this leads to some comical interplay. Once again, however, the humor is a tad stereotypical of African-American church-goers. I appreciated the attempt at humor, but I’m thinking it could have been handled better.
All in all, the book wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as good as The Shack for reasons already mentioned. If you haven’t read The Shack, perhaps you might enjoy Cross Roads better than I did. Still, Cross Roads is worth a read for the theological insights. I would recommend it, especially if you aren’t going to judge it from a critical thinking standpoint. Just accept it for what it is and enjoy!
November 12, 2012
As a huge fan of "The Shack" I was really looking forward to Paul Young's new book, "CrossRoads". I was very disappointed after reading an advance copy received at the bookstore where I work.
First of all, I found the writing style much different from "The Shack". I did not find it compelling. At times I was confused as to what the author was trying to say.
I did not find the premise of the book believable and I believe most Christians will be offended at what seems to be a type of possession.
There were a few times when I found myself nodding in agreement as to a truth that I came across; however, I just cannot recommend this book.
First of all, I found the writing style much different from "The Shack". I did not find it compelling. At times I was confused as to what the author was trying to say.
I did not find the premise of the book believable and I believe most Christians will be offended at what seems to be a type of possession.
There were a few times when I found myself nodding in agreement as to a truth that I came across; however, I just cannot recommend this book.
January 12, 2013
This is a great book. I had trouble with his first book The Shack and I have gone back and re-rated it, though I left my original review in place as it might be informative about a lot of my own take. I was raw at the time I read it and may need to read it at a later time.
This book is a fine uplifting read with a great deal of spiritual insight and hope. I suppose there are things that could be criticized about it, but none of much importance.
As a novel I think it succeeds though some may find a few places where it slides away from their interest a bit. It can I'm sure be read and enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians but unlike many books all will see without fail that this is a Christian book. And it's a good one.
I highly recommend this novel on several levels and plan to purchase it for my permanent collection. I plan to recommend it to friends and hopefully hand it down to be read by younger generations.
Also please allow me to recommend a couple of other books. The love of this writer (Wm. Paul Young) for C.S.Lewis is obvious. The influence of George MacDonald is also apparent (he also mentions the Inklings in general in his author's note afterward). As I was saying please allow me to recommend for you who find you loved this book (as I did), The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and also possibly Lilith by George MacDonald. I love these books and I think you'll see some of the same ides expanded and expounded on in different ways.
So, love book, 5 stars and highly recommended.
This book is a fine uplifting read with a great deal of spiritual insight and hope. I suppose there are things that could be criticized about it, but none of much importance.
As a novel I think it succeeds though some may find a few places where it slides away from their interest a bit. It can I'm sure be read and enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians but unlike many books all will see without fail that this is a Christian book. And it's a good one.
I highly recommend this novel on several levels and plan to purchase it for my permanent collection. I plan to recommend it to friends and hopefully hand it down to be read by younger generations.
Also please allow me to recommend a couple of other books. The love of this writer (Wm. Paul Young) for C.S.Lewis is obvious. The influence of George MacDonald is also apparent (he also mentions the Inklings in general in his author's note afterward). As I was saying please allow me to recommend for you who find you loved this book (as I did), The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and also possibly Lilith by George MacDonald. I love these books and I think you'll see some of the same ides expanded and expounded on in different ways.
So, love book, 5 stars and highly recommended.
December 4, 2014
wow, wow, what a nice surprise this book was, Love it, I felt sad, happy, hopeful, etc, etc & sad again because it was over...
November 19, 2012
I confess I had misgivings about reading Wm. Paul Young’s Cross Roads this week. I avoided his best-seller, The Shack, when everyone in my congregation was reading it and my wife was telling me how good it was. But she’s used to my capricious, intellectual aversion to popular books, so she didn’t press it. I’m happy to say that Cross Roads is definitely a good read, both intellectually and emotionally.
Cross Roads is a redemption novel, the surreal spiritual pilgrimage of protagonist Anthony Spencer. If you’ve read The Shack, then the fact that Tony meets both Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the flesh won’t surprise you, and neither will the Zen Master tone of certain portions of the book. If you are able to suspend disbelief and accept the fictional universe Young has created, then there’s a lot here for you.
I was very interested in the number of literary models Young used in Cross Roads. Hopefully I’m not spoiling anything to say that chapters move from Socratic dialogue to Pilgrim’s Progress, from episodes of Mission Impossible, Sliders, and House to movies like Ghost, Always, and Dogma. Some of this bothered me until I realized that Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been rendered scores of times in different mediums. In the cases of Ghost and Mission Impossible Young gives an explicit nod to the sources.
Aside from these comments about style and models, there is that redemption story I mentioned. Tony Spencer begins the story as a financially successful, distilled monster suffering some serious psychiatric issues, and is redeemed.
I’m a reasonably sentimental guy, and I drew a little tear drop in the margin of Cross Roads every time I teared up, or had to stop reading because the page was too blurry to continue reading. There are fifteen tear drops in the margins. Understandably, they were in sections of the story that intersected with my personal life, namely with my mentally handicapped sister and with my brother. If I had an ex-wife whom I treated worse than crap and was alienated from my children as only a 24-karat jerk can alienate, I would have drawn tear drops elsewhere in the book.
Young’s first book, The Shack, was denounced by many fundamentalists as heretical. Ravi Zacharias, from the same denomination as author Wm. Paul Young and myself (the C&MA), said it was “soft heresy,” while radio minister Michael Youssef counted no less than thirteen heresies in the best-seller. I’m certain these good people will find similar heresies in Cross Roads. If only these educated men understood how historically determined their theology is, and how important it is to touch people’s hearts with the message of love, healing, and hope.
My one disappointment with Cross Roads is not so much with the book as with a pervasive blind spot of the evangelical culture that gave it birth. The word “justice” appears only once in the book (p. 115), is described as a concept that can only fail, and is dismissed along with “rights,” a selfish negative thing. This was the only point where Young’s deliberate use of evangelical clichés, which I usually found acceptable, was unacceptable. As a straight white male, insisting on my “rights” is inappropriate and unnecessary, but insisting on justice for others is to me non-negotiable. When we talk of justice, we do not insist on justice for ourselves, but for others.
With Cross Roads, I think Wm. Paul Young could one day be signing a film contract. If I had the money, I’d be locking in rights to the screenplay. The message is significant and contemporary; the material is varied and dramatic; the characters are ethnically diverse and in vogue; and the settings are realistic and surreal. There is more than enough to give directors all the creative jumping-off points they could ever want.
In the old days the trailer would have read, “It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. But most of all–it will make you think.”
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Cross Roads is a redemption novel, the surreal spiritual pilgrimage of protagonist Anthony Spencer. If you’ve read The Shack, then the fact that Tony meets both Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the flesh won’t surprise you, and neither will the Zen Master tone of certain portions of the book. If you are able to suspend disbelief and accept the fictional universe Young has created, then there’s a lot here for you.
I was very interested in the number of literary models Young used in Cross Roads. Hopefully I’m not spoiling anything to say that chapters move from Socratic dialogue to Pilgrim’s Progress, from episodes of Mission Impossible, Sliders, and House to movies like Ghost, Always, and Dogma. Some of this bothered me until I realized that Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been rendered scores of times in different mediums. In the cases of Ghost and Mission Impossible Young gives an explicit nod to the sources.
Aside from these comments about style and models, there is that redemption story I mentioned. Tony Spencer begins the story as a financially successful, distilled monster suffering some serious psychiatric issues, and is redeemed.
I’m a reasonably sentimental guy, and I drew a little tear drop in the margin of Cross Roads every time I teared up, or had to stop reading because the page was too blurry to continue reading. There are fifteen tear drops in the margins. Understandably, they were in sections of the story that intersected with my personal life, namely with my mentally handicapped sister and with my brother. If I had an ex-wife whom I treated worse than crap and was alienated from my children as only a 24-karat jerk can alienate, I would have drawn tear drops elsewhere in the book.
Young’s first book, The Shack, was denounced by many fundamentalists as heretical. Ravi Zacharias, from the same denomination as author Wm. Paul Young and myself (the C&MA), said it was “soft heresy,” while radio minister Michael Youssef counted no less than thirteen heresies in the best-seller. I’m certain these good people will find similar heresies in Cross Roads. If only these educated men understood how historically determined their theology is, and how important it is to touch people’s hearts with the message of love, healing, and hope.
My one disappointment with Cross Roads is not so much with the book as with a pervasive blind spot of the evangelical culture that gave it birth. The word “justice” appears only once in the book (p. 115), is described as a concept that can only fail, and is dismissed along with “rights,” a selfish negative thing. This was the only point where Young’s deliberate use of evangelical clichés, which I usually found acceptable, was unacceptable. As a straight white male, insisting on my “rights” is inappropriate and unnecessary, but insisting on justice for others is to me non-negotiable. When we talk of justice, we do not insist on justice for ourselves, but for others.
With Cross Roads, I think Wm. Paul Young could one day be signing a film contract. If I had the money, I’d be locking in rights to the screenplay. The message is significant and contemporary; the material is varied and dramatic; the characters are ethnically diverse and in vogue; and the settings are realistic and surreal. There is more than enough to give directors all the creative jumping-off points they could ever want.
In the old days the trailer would have read, “It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. But most of all–it will make you think.”
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 23, 2012
There were several times that I almost gave up on this one and had it been any other author (as I loved The Shack), I never would have stuck with it. However, I am very glad that I did. Once I got past the first 97 pages, the story picked up and was much better. I found the first part to be just plain confusing and that the author was not reaching his audience with his intended message. However, once the story revealed itself, his representations of the main character's heart, mind and feeling made more sense and hit home. Definitely worth reading, but in my opinion does not equal The Shack.
August 26, 2020
This book was interesting and ok, but personally I enjoyed "The Shack much better."
November 23, 2012
It’s an embarrassing, puerile feeling, the curiosity if someone, once so lucky, now might fail. I felt such a thing as I picked up and began William Paul Young’s Cross Roads novel, out this month. Published by FaithWords (Hachette), Cross Roads is the follow-up to Young’s 18 million-copy bestseller, The Shack, that donkey of a religious fiction title. A donkey, I confess, I rather loved.
The Shack was too clumsy to discuss in any literary circle I know, what with its constant breadcrumbing of the protagonist’s emotions. It was exhausting to be so distrusted by an author. I assumed this failing was because Young had written so little, that better narrative technique and style were not much available to him. (Supposedly, The Shack was his first book, originally intended for an audience only of his family.) The Shack’s success was its fleshed-out theology – chiefly, Grace – grace not as a pleasant silver lining, gilding reality, making us safe. No, grace was a furious squall, barely contained behind the human space-time continuum. It was a ton of good news, for religious Christians in particular.
The reason I re-hash The Shack is that Cross Roads is more of the same. God and Jesus show up much as before in liminal space, acting as dominant characters throughout. It’s another rebirth plot. Like in The Shack, the deities end up being a lot like us relationally. They appreciate us more than we know, and want the time to talk. Who cares if we are mere mortals? The story we are led through here is a vehicle for God and Jesus’s characters to pontificate to the protagonist (and to us the reader) on the choices the main character has made and could make. I am not super familiar with “religious fiction”; perhaps this is the way the novel has to be.
If so, it is a little much, but such therapeutic work is where Young (again) thrives. I opened this article posing if Young might choke on his sophomore effort. No worry. It’s just more Shack, with a wider panorama of characters and subplots.
Anthony Spencer, our business executive hero, is introduced in the first chapter with great skill. (I was impressed with the early drawing of him; it’s great writing, and I wondered if this caliber would be maintained. Not so much.) “Tony,” at first, is not a happy guy. Like Mack in the Shack, Tony has a slow, plotted conversion in Cross Roads. The pull: given his change, how will he make things right? There’s plenty of Christmas Carol here, and Tony never moves off script. This said, Cross Roads is a highly original book. Set in Portland, Oregon’s downtown, never would you imagine soon alternating chapters of astral projection mixed with a Pilgrim’s Progress re-telling. Young is alive and risky in Cross Roads. He will continue to enlighten and uplift through his unique brand of inspiration. A man with a vast imagination and heart to match, I look forward to William Paul Young’s next book, and the hope of his further evolution as a storyteller.
The Shack was too clumsy to discuss in any literary circle I know, what with its constant breadcrumbing of the protagonist’s emotions. It was exhausting to be so distrusted by an author. I assumed this failing was because Young had written so little, that better narrative technique and style were not much available to him. (Supposedly, The Shack was his first book, originally intended for an audience only of his family.) The Shack’s success was its fleshed-out theology – chiefly, Grace – grace not as a pleasant silver lining, gilding reality, making us safe. No, grace was a furious squall, barely contained behind the human space-time continuum. It was a ton of good news, for religious Christians in particular.
The reason I re-hash The Shack is that Cross Roads is more of the same. God and Jesus show up much as before in liminal space, acting as dominant characters throughout. It’s another rebirth plot. Like in The Shack, the deities end up being a lot like us relationally. They appreciate us more than we know, and want the time to talk. Who cares if we are mere mortals? The story we are led through here is a vehicle for God and Jesus’s characters to pontificate to the protagonist (and to us the reader) on the choices the main character has made and could make. I am not super familiar with “religious fiction”; perhaps this is the way the novel has to be.
If so, it is a little much, but such therapeutic work is where Young (again) thrives. I opened this article posing if Young might choke on his sophomore effort. No worry. It’s just more Shack, with a wider panorama of characters and subplots.
Anthony Spencer, our business executive hero, is introduced in the first chapter with great skill. (I was impressed with the early drawing of him; it’s great writing, and I wondered if this caliber would be maintained. Not so much.) “Tony,” at first, is not a happy guy. Like Mack in the Shack, Tony has a slow, plotted conversion in Cross Roads. The pull: given his change, how will he make things right? There’s plenty of Christmas Carol here, and Tony never moves off script. This said, Cross Roads is a highly original book. Set in Portland, Oregon’s downtown, never would you imagine soon alternating chapters of astral projection mixed with a Pilgrim’s Progress re-telling. Young is alive and risky in Cross Roads. He will continue to enlighten and uplift through his unique brand of inspiration. A man with a vast imagination and heart to match, I look forward to William Paul Young’s next book, and the hope of his further evolution as a storyteller.
March 1, 2013
Wm. Paul Young wrote this one more carefully than his last book, The Shack, and he employed the help of Theologian: Baxter Kruger and host of others. Therefore it is more Theologically sound, he takes few liberties with scripture and the traditional doctrines of the Church. This time Jesus is Jesus, no confusion there, God the Father is God the Father again no gender bending. The Holy Spirit is a Lakota Indian woman, this might offend some who like to keep the trinity in the male gender, but in the original Greek the Holy Spirit is a neutered - noun, it indicates no gender. If I had a problem with this it might be because he is juxtaposing American Native (Indian) spirituality with the Divine, Holy Spirit. However, if you look past the image to the actions and work of the God the Holy Spirit. We must not forget this is suppose to be allegorical - not literal. And the allegory is done with a lightness and humor that would have been inappropriate in The Shack. He enlists the help of "Jack" who was a master of the craft in this life. Which touches on the assistance of the Saints and their help with our journey a very un-protestant doctrine which he may have unwittingly ventured into, of which I approve very much. He like many Charismatics have done to justify their misuse of church government, which CS Lewis would never have approved, reinterpreted I Corinthians 14:33-35 by relegating it as sarcasm, basing it on a letter prior written to the Corinthians, of whose context we know nothing about, except by assumption. However that being said the book is fun and funny in parts and the message is not to assume life is done when on life support as long as the heart is beating, God is able to work on it!
August 6, 2017
Es algo complicado hablar de este libro. Está conformado por tantas piezas, tantas realidades, que uno solo puede quedarse con esa que tiene que ver con uno mismo, con esa que se parece a nuestra vida y nos ha tocado más. Para mí ha sido el hecho de que, en efecto, nuestro corazón es como una tierra, baldía y árida o fértil según lo que habite dentro. El que nuestro terreno esté rodeado o no de una muralla depende de nuestras defensas y elecciones sobre de quién hemos de defendernos, y como esas esctructuras se agrietan a medida que reconoces que no sirven de nada. Y lo mejor o peor de todo es que para llegar a ese punto el dolor es necesario. Es necesario sufrir para ver la verdadera transformación y sacar de raíz todo lo que no nos permite avanzar y acercarnos a Dios de la forma que él quiere que lo hagamos. Y que solo intente entrar a nuestro corazón no es porque él lo necesite, es que nos ama tanto para decirnos cuánto nosotros lo necesitamos a él.
Los diálogos han sido dolorosamente ciertos. Wm Paul Young tiene una manera sutil de golpearte el corazón endurecido, de hablarte hasta que ya no sientes que estés leyendo una historia. De explicarte de manera casi poética y sublime cuestiones del corazón que de igual forma te llegan como un rayo y te rompen. Es una mirada profunda al corazón de Dios y al de nosotros mismos. Es una lectura preciosa que te hace querer volver a la búsqueda constante de la oscuridad que quiere ser erradicada por la única luz. Es lo choque de lo que tiene que ver contigo y se hace aplicable a tu vida porque no es una realidad, es la verdad.
Los diálogos han sido dolorosamente ciertos. Wm Paul Young tiene una manera sutil de golpearte el corazón endurecido, de hablarte hasta que ya no sientes que estés leyendo una historia. De explicarte de manera casi poética y sublime cuestiones del corazón que de igual forma te llegan como un rayo y te rompen. Es una mirada profunda al corazón de Dios y al de nosotros mismos. Es una lectura preciosa que te hace querer volver a la búsqueda constante de la oscuridad que quiere ser erradicada por la única luz. Es lo choque de lo que tiene que ver contigo y se hace aplicable a tu vida porque no es una realidad, es la verdad.
November 21, 2024
This was another audiobook. I've cut the grass, chopped food for supper, weed-eatered the front of the HOA entrance and washed the car while listening to it. Well this was a wonderful story. Heartwarming, emotional... a make you think novel written by the author of "The Shack". I listened to this audiobook but... and it's a big but... the library only had 8 of the 9 disks. So I don't know how it ended!!! What a kick in the shorts!
So, if anyone out there knows how it ends, and wants to share, please let me know!
So, if anyone out there knows how it ends, and wants to share, please let me know!
February 5, 2013
Mr. Young’s book, The Shack, was a best-seller because it was well written, spoke to a specific audience and explored the theological idea that God, through Christ, continues to be connected to humanity. His second book is just as well written, speaks to the same target audience but addresses the theological idea that, also through the work of Christ, God made community possible by the reconciliation of human beings to each other.
Anthony Spenser has it all – money, property, power, influence – and those things have brought him isolation, loneliness and paranoia. When he has a stroke leading to the discovery of a brain tumor that lands him in the Neuro-ICU of Oregon Science & Health University, all he has ever counted as dependable, true and reliable is challenged. When Tony “wakes up” after passing out due to the stroke, he finds himself in a land that was once beautiful but has fallen into disrepair. He begins to walk, taking different paths by random choice, until he finds a walled area. Although the enclosure is large, it has the feel of being uninhabited. He is greeted by various welcoming individuals who seem to know a lot about him and his life. These individuals reveal themselves to be: Jesus, a Lakota woman (who is the Holy Spirit) and “Jack.” He soon learns that the walled enclosure is actually his soul and the isolation and “shabbiness” it shows is reflective of how he lived a life once so promising. Because he is “in the between time” (he is in a coma, not dead but not living) he has the opportunity to “slide” into the minds of others. Jesus promises him that he (Jesus) will heal one person he (Tony) prays for to be healed. On this quest, he meets Cabby, a 16 y/o young man with Down’s Syndrome; Molly, Cabby’s mother; Lindsey, Cabby’s 14 y/o sister who is battling Leukemia and Maggie, housemate of these three. The interactions with these folk are memorable, and his “introduction” to Maggie is one of the most hilarious moments I have read in a while. Of course, through what he experiences, Tony’s world is changed and the resolution is satisfying while unconventional.
There is no violence, sex or “adult” language in the book although the description of Tony’s injuries is graphic. The book is filled with moments that will be points of contention among various Christian traditions and world views. To name but a few of these possible issues: Tony has not “accepted” Jesus before Jesus meets him and is already considered to be “family.” The place of women in the Church is shown to be a political construct not a theological issue. Humans are instruments of God for things of which they are unaware and accomplish things that will remain unknown until eternity is revealed. God can do what God wants without permission or human understanding. God uses EVERYTHING that happens, even the “bad” stuff. The questions raised by many of the situations in this novel would cause a reading group to become a hot bed of dynamic discussion.
It is nice to read a very good book dealing with a distinctly faithful world view. I did not feel the book was preachy, nor was it heavy handed (even if I was in tears at the end of it). The book was written from a Christian world-view but I felt it was more inclusive than I have come to expect from much of that genre.
I hope Mr. Young continues to write stories that cause his readers to consider where they stand. It makes for an engaged read and keeps the readers attentive. Besides, he makes Oregon even more enticing as a place to visit.
Anthony Spenser has it all – money, property, power, influence – and those things have brought him isolation, loneliness and paranoia. When he has a stroke leading to the discovery of a brain tumor that lands him in the Neuro-ICU of Oregon Science & Health University, all he has ever counted as dependable, true and reliable is challenged. When Tony “wakes up” after passing out due to the stroke, he finds himself in a land that was once beautiful but has fallen into disrepair. He begins to walk, taking different paths by random choice, until he finds a walled area. Although the enclosure is large, it has the feel of being uninhabited. He is greeted by various welcoming individuals who seem to know a lot about him and his life. These individuals reveal themselves to be: Jesus, a Lakota woman (who is the Holy Spirit) and “Jack.” He soon learns that the walled enclosure is actually his soul and the isolation and “shabbiness” it shows is reflective of how he lived a life once so promising. Because he is “in the between time” (he is in a coma, not dead but not living) he has the opportunity to “slide” into the minds of others. Jesus promises him that he (Jesus) will heal one person he (Tony) prays for to be healed. On this quest, he meets Cabby, a 16 y/o young man with Down’s Syndrome; Molly, Cabby’s mother; Lindsey, Cabby’s 14 y/o sister who is battling Leukemia and Maggie, housemate of these three. The interactions with these folk are memorable, and his “introduction” to Maggie is one of the most hilarious moments I have read in a while. Of course, through what he experiences, Tony’s world is changed and the resolution is satisfying while unconventional.
There is no violence, sex or “adult” language in the book although the description of Tony’s injuries is graphic. The book is filled with moments that will be points of contention among various Christian traditions and world views. To name but a few of these possible issues: Tony has not “accepted” Jesus before Jesus meets him and is already considered to be “family.” The place of women in the Church is shown to be a political construct not a theological issue. Humans are instruments of God for things of which they are unaware and accomplish things that will remain unknown until eternity is revealed. God can do what God wants without permission or human understanding. God uses EVERYTHING that happens, even the “bad” stuff. The questions raised by many of the situations in this novel would cause a reading group to become a hot bed of dynamic discussion.
It is nice to read a very good book dealing with a distinctly faithful world view. I did not feel the book was preachy, nor was it heavy handed (even if I was in tears at the end of it). The book was written from a Christian world-view but I felt it was more inclusive than I have come to expect from much of that genre.
I hope Mr. Young continues to write stories that cause his readers to consider where they stand. It makes for an engaged read and keeps the readers attentive. Besides, he makes Oregon even more enticing as a place to visit.
August 5, 2013
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it. I had read The Shack and enjoyed it and was thrilled when I discovered that WM. Paul Young had put out another book. Reading a little about this book while standing in Walmart, I loved what was mentioned on the back "I can heal someone? Are you telling me that I am able to heal anybody?" This drew me in and I passed up on the last Fifty Shades book for this intriguing read.
When I started the first chapter, I struggled to "read on", as there was a lot of explaining of the main characters life and his surroundings. Once I got past Chapter 1 though and things started to pick up, I was fine. This is a story of confusion at times and then just a sense that it would be quite interesting to live through the things of this character "Tony" and see and experience what he does. Who would you heal if you could only heal one person? Think long and hard on this before responding. Tony really had a lot to learn and in the end...well, you'll see. This book is about learning to love and trust not only others, but God Himself. Sometimes learning to "let go" and trust in someone/something that you can't see, can be so difficult and Tony struggles with this for sure.
There are a lot of fun and interesting people we meet along the way, while walking with Tony through his journey. These people not only help him and teach him, but they also liven things up and make you stop and think. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see life through someone else's eyes? Well then, this gives you another reason to give this book a read. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you, WM. Paul Young for another great read! I can't wait for your next book to come out.
God Bless all of you and Happy Reading!!
When I started the first chapter, I struggled to "read on", as there was a lot of explaining of the main characters life and his surroundings. Once I got past Chapter 1 though and things started to pick up, I was fine. This is a story of confusion at times and then just a sense that it would be quite interesting to live through the things of this character "Tony" and see and experience what he does. Who would you heal if you could only heal one person? Think long and hard on this before responding. Tony really had a lot to learn and in the end...well, you'll see. This book is about learning to love and trust not only others, but God Himself. Sometimes learning to "let go" and trust in someone/something that you can't see, can be so difficult and Tony struggles with this for sure.
There are a lot of fun and interesting people we meet along the way, while walking with Tony through his journey. These people not only help him and teach him, but they also liven things up and make you stop and think. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see life through someone else's eyes? Well then, this gives you another reason to give this book a read. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you, WM. Paul Young for another great read! I can't wait for your next book to come out.
God Bless all of you and Happy Reading!!
November 13, 2012
***From the author of The Shack with an initial print run of one million copie***
WM. Paul Young, bestselling author of the The Shack that sold eighteen million copies in 2008, now returns with Crossroads. In another provocative tale of healing and hope wrapped in an account of relationships, selfishness, trust and choices. FaithWords releases one million copies Tuesday, November 13th which suggests they believe Crossroad sales could be similar to that of The Shack.
The poignant story begins with self-made businessman, Anthony Stewart, a lonely man in his forties known as a “severe negotiator and master deal maker.” His addiction to winning, demonstrated by his “growing investment portfolio,” was a goal Anthony pursed regardless of cost. Employees trembled in front of him and he delighted in “wresting the last vestiges of dignity from those around him.”
Yet, Anthony’s soul, disfigured by “self-protective fear and selfish ambition” used denial to cover his inner pain, the loss of loved ones and sense of early abandonment. Until a cerebral hemorrhage left him comatose in Oregon’s Health and Science University’s ICU and doctors found a tumor in the “frontal lobe” of his brain.
However, Anthony is unaware of what’s happening on the physical plane. Instead, he’s drawn toward an “overpowering light…” …Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/b35wqhf
WM. Paul Young, bestselling author of the The Shack that sold eighteen million copies in 2008, now returns with Crossroads. In another provocative tale of healing and hope wrapped in an account of relationships, selfishness, trust and choices. FaithWords releases one million copies Tuesday, November 13th which suggests they believe Crossroad sales could be similar to that of The Shack.
The poignant story begins with self-made businessman, Anthony Stewart, a lonely man in his forties known as a “severe negotiator and master deal maker.” His addiction to winning, demonstrated by his “growing investment portfolio,” was a goal Anthony pursed regardless of cost. Employees trembled in front of him and he delighted in “wresting the last vestiges of dignity from those around him.”
Yet, Anthony’s soul, disfigured by “self-protective fear and selfish ambition” used denial to cover his inner pain, the loss of loved ones and sense of early abandonment. Until a cerebral hemorrhage left him comatose in Oregon’s Health and Science University’s ICU and doctors found a tumor in the “frontal lobe” of his brain.
However, Anthony is unaware of what’s happening on the physical plane. Instead, he’s drawn toward an “overpowering light…” …Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/b35wqhf
November 16, 2012
The original distribution target for The Shack was about 15 copies. So it’s not surprising that million-copy-selling author Paul Young refers to Cross Roads as the first novel he intentionally wrote.
I’m drawn to Young’s picture of a loving God — regardless of the size, shape, age or gender in which he prefers to clothe any member of The Trinity — and would have no problem approving him to teach Sunday School at my church, a proposition that no doubt causes his detractors to shudder.
The lead character is delineated vividly in the opening chapters; you cannot help but have opinions about Anthony Spencer. The medical element of the book does not weigh it down; in fact the book is very lighthearted in a couple of places, including one scene that can only be described as comedic. The author isn’t afraid to introduce new subplots or complications in the last quarter. Some Biblical passages are alluded to, at other points you get chapter and verse. The work validates that Young is a good writer and certainly deserving of the success which changed his life so dramatically a few years ago.
It’s a book about life, and how some people live it, and what is left when life suddenly ends. If you’re one of the eighteen million people who purchased The Shack you don’t need to think twice about also getting a copy of Cross Roads.
~edited from the review on my WordPress blog
I’m drawn to Young’s picture of a loving God — regardless of the size, shape, age or gender in which he prefers to clothe any member of The Trinity — and would have no problem approving him to teach Sunday School at my church, a proposition that no doubt causes his detractors to shudder.
The lead character is delineated vividly in the opening chapters; you cannot help but have opinions about Anthony Spencer. The medical element of the book does not weigh it down; in fact the book is very lighthearted in a couple of places, including one scene that can only be described as comedic. The author isn’t afraid to introduce new subplots or complications in the last quarter. Some Biblical passages are alluded to, at other points you get chapter and verse. The work validates that Young is a good writer and certainly deserving of the success which changed his life so dramatically a few years ago.
It’s a book about life, and how some people live it, and what is left when life suddenly ends. If you’re one of the eighteen million people who purchased The Shack you don’t need to think twice about also getting a copy of Cross Roads.
~edited from the review on my WordPress blog
February 29, 2020
Ich bin beeindruckt, ich hätte nach den ersten paar Seiten nicht gedacht, dass die Handlung sich nochmal so wandelt. Humorvolle, schöne Szenen, die dem Thema aber keineswegs die Tiefe und Ernsthaftigkeit nehmen. Es hat mich sehr berührt und kommt definitiv an "Die Hütte" ran!!!
November 8, 2020
Veľmi som si obľúbil tohto autora už pri čítaní knihy Chatrč. Pekne opisuje ako môžeme byť aj my veľakrát zaslepený pozemskými vecami, ako si budujeme múry v našej duši, no Boh si to vie aj tak použiť. Bol som úplne vtiahnutý do príbehu a hltal som autore slová. Táto kniha bola s istotou jeden veľký zážitok, ktorý odporúčam prečítať hádam každému.
May 28, 2024
Excellent read! Spiritual and funny!
January 18, 2014
I was quite excited to read this book as I loved the Shack, and O wasn't disappointed. Once again I finished it with the hope that some of the wisdom in the book will stay with me and help to change me.
It is a story of transformation. A cold self absorbed man with no friends and no desire for them goes through an experience of God that changes him for ever, Its a little like Scrooge in Dickens Christmas Carol where the change is achieved in an unbelievably fast time but is an allegory of the growth towards God that is possible for us during life. Of course I know God is capable of changing people in a flash but it is often a lifetimes process.
I love the imagery of the Trinity as in the Shack.I love the spiritual wisdom that is woven throughout the story and many times made me think deeply about my own heart, I love above all the overwhelming sense of God's love that smiles at you throughout the book.
The main character reminded me amazingly of my ex and gave me hope for his future, a sense of possibility and hope. I can imagine that some of my more fundamental friends will feel that Paul Young is theologically wrong in many ways but I agree with the fact that God finds a way into all lives ."His grace is relentless affection,independent of performance- a love that we are not powerful enough to change."
Crossroads is an obvious christian book, written for Christians. However the story could appeal to anyone, whether a believer or not. Young is a good writer , his characters are wonderful;with a lively reality. I particularly liked Cubby the lovable young man with Downs syndrome.The story is fun, fascinating and powerful. It's not all serious theology but has moments of humour and lightheartedness.
I hope this book stays with me a long time.In fact its made me want to reread the Shack aswell.I reccommend it to anyone but particularly anyone who wants to deepen their walk with God and know Him better,
It is a story of transformation. A cold self absorbed man with no friends and no desire for them goes through an experience of God that changes him for ever, Its a little like Scrooge in Dickens Christmas Carol where the change is achieved in an unbelievably fast time but is an allegory of the growth towards God that is possible for us during life. Of course I know God is capable of changing people in a flash but it is often a lifetimes process.
I love the imagery of the Trinity as in the Shack.I love the spiritual wisdom that is woven throughout the story and many times made me think deeply about my own heart, I love above all the overwhelming sense of God's love that smiles at you throughout the book.
The main character reminded me amazingly of my ex and gave me hope for his future, a sense of possibility and hope. I can imagine that some of my more fundamental friends will feel that Paul Young is theologically wrong in many ways but I agree with the fact that God finds a way into all lives ."His grace is relentless affection,independent of performance- a love that we are not powerful enough to change."
Crossroads is an obvious christian book, written for Christians. However the story could appeal to anyone, whether a believer or not. Young is a good writer , his characters are wonderful;with a lively reality. I particularly liked Cubby the lovable young man with Downs syndrome.The story is fun, fascinating and powerful. It's not all serious theology but has moments of humour and lightheartedness.
I hope this book stays with me a long time.In fact its made me want to reread the Shack aswell.I reccommend it to anyone but particularly anyone who wants to deepen their walk with God and know Him better,
April 3, 2018
Raskršća - Vilijem Pol Jang
Knjiga koja na slikovit način opisuje naše fiktivne neprijatelje, koje pozivamo u svoj život kako bi nas zaštitili od istinitih prijatelja.
Kao naši neprijatelji su predstavljeni gordost, pohlepa, zavist, gnev, lenjost, mržnja i na kraju EGO kao najveći od svih njih… Naši prijatelji koje zapostavljamo su ljubav, pažnja, smernost, pravednost, praštanje, iskrenost, osećajnost…
Da li smo toliko zaslepljeni strahom od poniženja, bola, patnje, pa i od same ljubavi, da bismo zapostavili ono što nam ispunjava dušu, onaj deo sebe koji toliko vešto skrivamo od drugih, da zaboravi da ga posedujemo. Zašto svoj život okružujemo lažima? Da li da bi nas one zaštitile od toliko bolne istine? Gradimo zidove i kule oko nas kako bi nas zaštitili od nečega. Ali od čega? Ono od čega treba da se plašimo se ne nalazi iza zidina, već unutar njih.
Svim ovim osobinama je pisac dao ljudski oblik, neprijateljima kao čuvarima našeg zamka satkanog od laži, koji na prvi pogled izgleda tako jako, ali kada na njega navale okupatori u ovom slučaju naši istinski prijatelji, koje moramo prizvati u svoj život, zidovi zamka popuštaju.
ZAŠTO BIRAMO KONFORT LANACA, KADA NAM JE PONUĐENA SLOBODA ?!
Da bismo srušili ceo zamak moramo biti uporni, pa iako je gola istina teška i bolna, moramo naučiti da je prigrlimo, jer će nam u suprotnom najlepše laži izjesti dušu.
Knjiga je uticala umnogome na moje razmišljanje o životu, otvorila mi je oči, naterala me je da se dobro preispitam i da mnogo odlučnije počnem da rušim lažne zidine oko sebe.
Preporučujem knjigu svima kojima se svidela "Koliba"
Knjiga koja na slikovit način opisuje naše fiktivne neprijatelje, koje pozivamo u svoj život kako bi nas zaštitili od istinitih prijatelja.
Kao naši neprijatelji su predstavljeni gordost, pohlepa, zavist, gnev, lenjost, mržnja i na kraju EGO kao najveći od svih njih… Naši prijatelji koje zapostavljamo su ljubav, pažnja, smernost, pravednost, praštanje, iskrenost, osećajnost…
Da li smo toliko zaslepljeni strahom od poniženja, bola, patnje, pa i od same ljubavi, da bismo zapostavili ono što nam ispunjava dušu, onaj deo sebe koji toliko vešto skrivamo od drugih, da zaboravi da ga posedujemo. Zašto svoj život okružujemo lažima? Da li da bi nas one zaštitile od toliko bolne istine? Gradimo zidove i kule oko nas kako bi nas zaštitili od nečega. Ali od čega? Ono od čega treba da se plašimo se ne nalazi iza zidina, već unutar njih.
Svim ovim osobinama je pisac dao ljudski oblik, neprijateljima kao čuvarima našeg zamka satkanog od laži, koji na prvi pogled izgleda tako jako, ali kada na njega navale okupatori u ovom slučaju naši istinski prijatelji, koje moramo prizvati u svoj život, zidovi zamka popuštaju.
ZAŠTO BIRAMO KONFORT LANACA, KADA NAM JE PONUĐENA SLOBODA ?!
Da bismo srušili ceo zamak moramo biti uporni, pa iako je gola istina teška i bolna, moramo naučiti da je prigrlimo, jer će nam u suprotnom najlepše laži izjesti dušu.
Knjiga je uticala umnogome na moje razmišljanje o životu, otvorila mi je oči, naterala me je da se dobro preispitam i da mnogo odlučnije počnem da rušim lažne zidine oko sebe.
Preporučujem knjigu svima kojima se svidela "Koliba"
May 21, 2013
This is a great book. I had trouble with his first book The Shack and I have gone back and re-rated it, though I left my original review in place as it might be informative about a lot of my own take. I was raw at the time I read it and may need to read it at a later time.
This book is a fine uplifting read with a great deal of spiritual insight and hope. I suppose there are things that could be criticized about it, but none of much importance.
As a novel I think it succeeds though some may find a few places where it slides away from their interest a bit. It can I'm sure be read and enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians but unlike many books all will see without fail that this is a Christian book. And it's a good one.
I highly recommend this novel on several levels and plan to purchase it for my permanent collection. I plan to recommend it to friends and hopefully hand it down to be read by younger generations.
Also please allow me to recommend a couple of other books. The love of this writer (Wm. Paul Young) for C.S.Lewis is obvious. The influence of George MacDonald is also apparent (he also mentions the Inklings in general in his author's note afterward). As I was saying please allow me to recommend for you who find you loved this book (as I did), The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and also possibly Lilith by George MacDonald. I love these books and I think you'll see some of the same ides expanded and expounded on in different ways.
So, love book, 5 stars and highly recommended.
This book is a fine uplifting read with a great deal of spiritual insight and hope. I suppose there are things that could be criticized about it, but none of much importance.
As a novel I think it succeeds though some may find a few places where it slides away from their interest a bit. It can I'm sure be read and enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians but unlike many books all will see without fail that this is a Christian book. And it's a good one.
I highly recommend this novel on several levels and plan to purchase it for my permanent collection. I plan to recommend it to friends and hopefully hand it down to be read by younger generations.
Also please allow me to recommend a couple of other books. The love of this writer (Wm. Paul Young) for C.S.Lewis is obvious. The influence of George MacDonald is also apparent (he also mentions the Inklings in general in his author's note afterward). As I was saying please allow me to recommend for you who find you loved this book (as I did), The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and also possibly Lilith by George MacDonald. I love these books and I think you'll see some of the same ides expanded and expounded on in different ways.
So, love book, 5 stars and highly recommended.
April 22, 2013
This is a very creative and imaginative book, stretching incredulity, and I enjoyed reading it. But I don’t think it was nearly as good as "The Shack." Nevertheless, there is a deep spiritual message in this book, and I ended up liking it a lot.
The Holy Spirit is pictured as an old Lakota grandmother, and on one occasion she says, “Much of what you must forgive others for, and especially yourself, is the ignorance which damages. People don’t hurt willfully. More often because they simply don’t know anything else; they don’t know how to be anything else, anything better” (p. 77).
Jack (C. S. Lewis) appears to Tony (the central character) a few times, and Jack says to him, “You must remember, Tony, that there is not one good thing, or memory, or act of kindness, not one thing that is true and noble and right and just, that will be lost” (p. 157).
Unless one is a fairly devout Christian, or at least actively open to the Christian faith, this book would likely seem rather ludicrous. And unless one is able to suspend disbelief and enter into an imaginative world, this book would likely seem too "off the wall" to be taken seriously.
But even though I don't like or usually read "fantasy," I did enjoy reading this very creative novel.
The Holy Spirit is pictured as an old Lakota grandmother, and on one occasion she says, “Much of what you must forgive others for, and especially yourself, is the ignorance which damages. People don’t hurt willfully. More often because they simply don’t know anything else; they don’t know how to be anything else, anything better” (p. 77).
Jack (C. S. Lewis) appears to Tony (the central character) a few times, and Jack says to him, “You must remember, Tony, that there is not one good thing, or memory, or act of kindness, not one thing that is true and noble and right and just, that will be lost” (p. 157).
Unless one is a fairly devout Christian, or at least actively open to the Christian faith, this book would likely seem rather ludicrous. And unless one is able to suspend disbelief and enter into an imaginative world, this book would likely seem too "off the wall" to be taken seriously.
But even though I don't like or usually read "fantasy," I did enjoy reading this very creative novel.
January 5, 2013
Cross Roads was written by the author of The Shack. This preposterous story starts slowly but is entertaining – especially about half way through. It is similar to The Shack in its depiction of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as affable, loving beings who take on human-like appearances in order to communicate with the main character. It is also similar in its approach to reconciling or undoing psychological trauma around grief. There is some insightful dialog, such as this about fairness. The main character, Tony says “It just doesn’t seem fair.”
Grandmother (alias the Holy Spirit) replies: ”There is nothing fair in a broken world full of broken people. Justice tries to be fair, but fails at every turn. There is never anything fair about grace or forgiveness. Punishment never restores fair. Confession doesn’t make things fair. Life is not about granting the fair reward for the right performance. Contracts, lawyers, disease, power, none of these care about fair.”
The theology in the book is flawed as it was in the Shack. The dialog between Tony, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is too chummy and casual for a Holy God who is immensely beyond us. Hence my low rating.
Grandmother (alias the Holy Spirit) replies: ”There is nothing fair in a broken world full of broken people. Justice tries to be fair, but fails at every turn. There is never anything fair about grace or forgiveness. Punishment never restores fair. Confession doesn’t make things fair. Life is not about granting the fair reward for the right performance. Contracts, lawyers, disease, power, none of these care about fair.”
The theology in the book is flawed as it was in the Shack. The dialog between Tony, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is too chummy and casual for a Holy God who is immensely beyond us. Hence my low rating.
April 24, 2013
I tried. I really did. I would have given this no stars if there was a choice. I chose this book because I liked his first book, "The Shack." This just seems to be a shallow attempt at making some money. Frankly, I have never, ever read such psycho-babble drivel in all my life. And I read a lot. If there was a prize for the most convoluted, ridiculous prose, this would win it. Check out p8 (in the ereader -- and the description of the protagonist's birth. It took a lot of words to say, "He was born."
January 4, 2013
Cross Roads was after the manner of his first book The Shack. It is fiction, it's metamorphic, and takes a vivid imagination to fully explore the author's intentions. Having said all that, I liked it. The message is really good. It focuses on self awareness, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption. These themes resonate through out the book and are what make the story beautiful. If you liked the Shack, you will probably enjoy this book.
January 8, 2013
Easily the best book I read in 2012! I really like the way the author described what Tony was going through in his coma state of mind and what possible death could be like. I highly recommend this book.
September 28, 2015
Stvarno odlicna knjiga. Na momente teska za razumevanje, malo vise filozofska, pa mi je trebalo dosta vremena da je procitam, ali provlaci se tu puno emocija do samog kraja. Preporucujem.
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