The Shadow Doctor

by Adrian Plass

The Shadow Doctor isn't your usual kind of doctor. Sure, you can bring him your problems - but the chances are his solutions will blow your mind. This man can see into your soul, and the cures he prescribes don't come from the pharmacy. If you have fears you just cannot face, wounds you can't even bear to remember - if you've been abused, ignored, damaged by all life throws at you - the Shadow Doctor is here to help.

But the Shadow Doctor has shades of his own, and the work of helping others may be the only thing keeping him afloat. Can he stay ahead of the demons that torment him long enough to help those who need him?

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Novels, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2018

About the author

Adrian Plass is a writer and speaker who has produced over thirty books in the last twenty years. The best known of these is probably The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, a gentle satire on the modern church, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. This and other books have travelled to other countries and are translated into a number of foreign languages. Other books include biography, novels, short stories, a fictionalised account of the author's experiences as a residential child care worker, and collections of poems and sketches. A bemused Anglican, Adrian lives with his wife and daughter in a small market town near the Sussex South Downs.

Adrian has been in demand as a speaker in venues as varied as prisons, schools, churches, festivals, literary dinners and theatrical settings. His work also includes contribution to national and local radio and television. Live presentations combine humour, poetry, and story telling, largely revolving around his own inadequacies and struggles as a Christian and a human being.

In recent years Adrian has been joined by his wife Bridget in presenting a more varied and dramatic style of performance. Adrian and Bridget met at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and have found particular satisfaction in being allowed to ‘do a bit of acting’. They have also been privileged to work alongside World Vision on several occasions, visiting Bangladesh and Zambia, writing two books and touring both in the UK and abroad with the aim of encouraging people to take up child sponsorship

Their work now takes them as far away as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Africa, while trips to Europe have introduced the added dimension of speaking through interpreters. Not easy when you're trying to be funny!

Adrian's latest books include ‘Jesus Safe Tender and Extreme‘, published by Zondervan, ‘Blind Spots in the Bible’, published by BRF, and most recent of all ‘Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation’ published by Authentic Media. He and Bridget have also collaborated with friends in Canada to produce a CD of his favourite sketches from the last 20 years called ‘Preaching to the Converted’ while ‘A Touch of Plass’, CTA’s documentary video, is now out on DVD.

2008 began with a visit to Bolivia for Bridget and Adrian in collaboration with the charity Toybox to look at projects involving street children. Later on there will be a DVD, a book and a number of presentations promoting their work.

Adrian's central motivation continues to be his love for Jesus, although some may feel he expresses it rather eccentrically. His passion is to communicate the need for reality in faith, and a truth that he learned during a difficult stage in his life: "God is nice and he likes me..." Some have described his work as being ‘one long confessional’. They may well be right!

Reviews

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought there might be more psychological theories in it, but got involved into a conversation about religion and God, whether he exists or not, and I am not a person that enjoys those kind of reads, I suppose. Nice book, but definitely not for me.

[Phil Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Adrian Plass's books and views on life for about 20 years now, so I naturally approach anything he's written expecting to enjoy it. While I found this one a bit harder going than some - perhaps a bit more poetic (in that they say of poems, "Show, don't say") so it took at times a bit more work to pick up on - it was enjoyable and continues to illustrate a theme which comes up in most of Adrian Plass's work: Christianity is not a religion; indeed the religion usually gets in the way of being a Christian (rather like a lot of what Jesus said to the Pharisees really).

Some will find this difficult, because Plass doesn't shy away from controversial issues - indeed the character Jack is designed (so I assume) to in some way represent our church-tuned instinctive reponse to things. Homosexuality gets a mention (briefly, but then, it's only mentioned briefly in the Bible....) and "prayer doesn't work" comes up, for example. And if you're looking for a simple, cut and dried, "Here's the Solution" then you'll be disappointed. But I think his approach and attitude to these issues, as to everything else in the book, is healthy and very Christian - in the literal sense of being like Christ.

So, if you don't like being challenged, or don't like controversy, don't bother with this book. If you think that doubt is a sin, really, really don't read the book (although also please, grow up). If you're someone who often finds that the reality of Christian life is full of confusion, challenge, and so on, read on and enjoy.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this novel have mixed feelings about as it wasn't a page turner and had to make you think as it's quite complex

[Angus Healy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped this would be a poignant look at how people deal with loss, perhaps a philosophical take on the ideology of faith itself and the role it can play in a person's life, for better or for worse.
Alas, it was overall a bit convoluted, preachy, and ultimately the plot didn't really go anywhere with an abrupt and frankly rubbish ending.

The closest I've come to a DNF and probably would have if it wasn't only 200 pages long.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man gets involved with an unusual man, who helps people with their troubles.

I didn’t really enjoy the first fifty odd pages, then the format / structure / characters started to make sense and I found it thought provoking / moving and slightly profound.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the 5 stars (rounded up from 4.5), this is not my favourite book ever, and I don't expect to be picking it up every year to re-read it. That said however, I want to say to you,

Read this book. Don't expect much of anything from it. Don't read the reviews. Don't try to figure out what it is about. Just pick it up one day and see what you think.

Okay, I understand if you do want to read the reviews - I know I usually like a little more information than the above before I read a book. The problem is, I think I enjoyed this book as much as I did because I went into it having very few preconceived notions. I knew that I usually enjoyed Adrian Plass books, knew that this one wasn't going to be his usual, and simply hoped that it would not be an attempt to rewrite and parrallel Youngs, "The Shack".

So, to help you decide if this book is for you, you should NOT read this book if:
-You prefer fast, action filled books;
-You dislike a lot of dialogue;
-You have never read (or watched a version of) CS Lewis's "The Silver Chair". (Okay, this isn't a must, but it's helpful);
-You don't like having a finger poked into your doubts and worries.

Otherwise, give it a try!

[Colin Timbrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that are real and honest and challenge the norms on how to approach life. Adrian Plass delivers with this intriguing and exasperating relationship between the Doc and Jack. It's essentially an exploration of truth between the younger steadfast faithful Jack and the seasoned honest deeper reality of Doc. It reminds me of how Jesus approached questions from those around him. The answer was always a surprise, sometimes infuriating, often obscure, but rooted in ultimate reality.

There were lots of quotable quotes in this book, as Doc explains how he learns to enter into the flow of what Jesus is already doing in this world.

'I’ll tell you what we do. We make real friends. We go with it. We keep our eyes and ears open. We don’t assume anything. We wait to see what happens. We are only charged with loving people. The rest is not our responsibility.’

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean Deep

Sometimes this book is dark and soul searching - at others full of wild joy and white tops - at others reflecting a horizon that holds the promise of incredible sunrises and sunsets - read it ! It will make you truly discover something new about life and yourself ! Thanks Adrian

[Shân Petry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nicely written, I read it in a couple of days. Very warming even as it unpicks some fundamental questions.

Still not really a fan of books that leave you without a proper conclusion, and with more questions than you had a t the start but I can almost forgive Plass for doing that in this book.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read the book I’m still none the wiser with what it was actually about. The idea of the shadow doctor really intrigued me however I still don’t really know what he does or why or how. I often found myself zoning out and so not actually even paying attention which might have been the issue to not understanding it. I felt the pace was also slow and took me a month to read.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the 5 stars (rounded up from 4.5), this is not my favourite book ever, and I don't expect to be picking it up every year to re-read it. That said however, I want to say to you,

Read this book. Don't expect much of anything from it. Don't read the reviews. Don't try to figure out what it is about. Just pick it up one day and see what you think.

Okay, I understand if you do want to read the reviews - I know I usually like a little more information than the above before I read a book. The problem is, I think I enjoyed this book as much as I did because I went into it having very few preconceived notions. I knew that I usually enjoyed Adrian Plass books, knew that this one wasn't going to be his usual, and simply hoped that it would not be an attempt to rewrite and parrallel Youngs, "The Shack".

So, to help you decide if this book is for you, you should NOT read this book if:
-You prefer fast, action filled books;
-You dislike a lot of dialogue;
-You have never read (or watched a version of) CS Lewis's "The Silver Chair". (Okay, this isn't a must, but it's helpful);
-You don't like having a finger poked into your doubts and worries.

Otherwise, give it a try!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot of dialogue in this book, some of it perhaps a tad lengthy. But Adrian Plass always tells a good story. It’s not a fast-action book, and, unusually for this author, there’s no humour, although there are a few light-hearted moments to contrast with some serious and important conversations. I wasn’t sure what to think at first; it took me a few chapters to get into the story.

There’s a lot that’s cynical about how modern Christians appear, and the pat answers that are all too easy to give. There is a strong nod to Narnia, and many oblique references to the life of Jesus. It’s primarily a book for those who have a Christian background, but could be read by anyone.

The overall theme is of compassion, of standing up for what’s right, and true, of following the Master. And of standing with Puddleglum. Definitely recommended. Enjoyed all the more on re-reading just three years later.

Latest longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Archie MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meal for the weary traveller

Loved it! The combination of honesty and doubt, reality and uncertainty, and commitment to weaving something that refuses the predictable certainties or cliches even in the ending, were both refreshing and poignant, and pointed a direction without assumptions. I'd give this in a heartbeat to anyone who enjoys a good story, and who feels irritated by cliche and normal Christian expectations, wanting to cut through the underbrush to reach the open landscape beyond, but tired by the tangling vines that trip, the unbending branches that need to be avoided or hacked through, and the constant fight to make any progress. Adrian Plass feels authentic, and offers hope that this other path, seeming to lead in another direction, offers a better journey.

[Jouke Jong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I decided to read when I realised I needed more spiritual nourishment. I always loved Plass, he had a profound influence on how I experienced christian faith: with absolute seriousness and humor. Yes, those two go together just fine.

Also I like how he presents christian care for others: no cliché's are allowed, no half-truths or glib answers: only the truth. In the conviction that the truth alone will set us free.

Recomended if you need to remember how vulnerable people are, how everyone is broken in some way, and how close God comes to us in our pain. How people don't always need the branding of christianity to be Christian.

and for Gods sake, how we should neverever spout dogma and cliché's when people are in pain.

[Chrys Cymri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book and thought, 'What was the point of that?'

As far as I could see, there as no real plot. Main character meets Shadow Doctor, they meet up with various other people and talk to them, Shadow Doctor admits to his own issues, end of book. We never find out the answers to some of the teased mysteries, nor does the main character undergo any real change.

In between, some very long lectures which had interesting ideas, granted, but which I couldn't believe as dialogue.

Very disappointed.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of Adrian Plass anyway and this one reminded me of both "Ghosts" and "An Alien at St Wilfreds". I'd read it again but I need to lend it to some of my friends first.

[Dawn Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me wanting more

My words can't do it justice. Please just read it. Adrian Plass is remarkably, hilariously sagacious. I was disappointed when it ended.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plass has always produced a mix of very funny books and somewhat obscure ones. The latter seem to work at the parable level, leaving the reader to figure out what it's all about. And these ones have very little humour.
This book is definitely one of the parable type ones, and leaves you no wiser about who the Shadow Doctor is at the end than you were at the beginning. He could be a kind of Christ figure, except that he does and says things that even in Plass's view of Christianity are pretty unlikely. He apparently lives by faith, since he doesn't work, but if he lives by faith he's doing fairly well. Not in a prosperity Gospel kind of way; it's just that income is never mentioned, even when he takes on the other main character, Jack, as his kind of disciple.
As always with Plass, some of the things that are discussed or portrayed are full of insights that are helpful to a Christian trying to live in Christ. Some of the other things are just odd - the blackmail story seems to have come out of a different book; the kind of idea that any sort of Christian witness isn't important (at least in the sense of talking about Christian principles); the long discussion on prayer which leaves you no better off than you started: one minute he's saying prayer is a waste of time, the next he's endorsing it.
I can't say I much enjoyed the book. I didn't find either of the characters that realistic and it ends abruptly. I found the copy in my library's giving away bin: it looked as new as the day it had arrived several years ago. Plainly other people struggled with reading it too.

[Will Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure what I made of this. I loved the diary of Adrian Plass aged ... . So I was interested to read this. I agree with the reviewer who highlights that this book takes the religion out of Christianity. The trouble for me was that Doc wasn't explicitly led by the Holy Spirit although the situations he found himself in were those that you'd expect the Holy Spirit to lead him into. So it was a stimulating and thought provoking read but left me with questions rather than answers.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really unsure how many stars to give this. It was a good read as I found it hard to put down and constantly wanted to know what would happen next. Lots of questions raised in the plot but lack of answers/loose ends was disapointing! Not really sure where the plot went/ended up/certainly feels like there needs to be a sequel or a prequal to this.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different style of writing than I’m used to but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I think the Doc is a bit vague and hard to understand but funny and playful and a lovable character. I thought the bereavement situation between Jack and his grandmother was quite touching, and enjoyed her interactions with the shadow doctor, as it really captured his character.

[Martijntje · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that when I finished it, I started reading it for a second time.
Maybe it sometimes gives you some questionmarks, about who he is . But I think that makes the book more mystical. And to believe in and try to follow God and Jezus is sometimes even confusing and mystical, so I think this book is pointing that way. Try it.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your usual Christian novel. It has a quite unusual structure, a lot of dialogues, almost no outwards action and not very much fleshed out characters. Still, I really liked it and found it very hard to put down. The story created a strong pull, but a pull that is created by a fascination of common church views clashing with the Shadow Doctor's more unorthodox ways of living out his faith. It creates tension and challenges the reader. I am sure I only understood a small part of the references and thoughts in the book. It does not belong into the funny section, that Adrian Plass is often also catering for. It reminded me a bit of C.S. Lewis, where stories are almost told for a purpose to deliver meaningful ideas. Funnily there are strong references in this book to C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair. I still can't explain, what it exactly was that made me want to read on and on. Maybe the feeling of being understood by someone. The feeling of being not alone with all the bewilderment institutionalised faith in whatever shape or form causes in me. And this is what the book is probably all about: Giving a language and narrative to all those unfathomable things of the Christian faith that are too often suppressed, neglected or simply ignored.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed some other Plass books I expected humour and faith. I got both of these, but in an unbelievable storyline with two dimensional characters. I made myself finish it, and I’m glad I did as the discussion on prayer was a good one.

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel all about the human kindness , faith and love. All about a guy who meets with the man who helped with his grans spirituality and after she died he meets with him. Written by a known christian performer it is a good book to read

[Lauren McGivney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this thinking The Shadow Doctor would be a short, fast paced thriller! It was more of a slow paced snooze fest. Now, I found it hard to concentrate and found myself zoning in and out which is probably why I feel like I just didn’t get it? But maybe it just wasn’t the book for me!

[Lorna McFadyean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. Will definitely read again some day, which usually merits 5 🌟 from me. However... although I really enjoyed watching Jack's faith getting 'poked', I was left feeling that I could've handled the book going just a wee bit deeper than it did.

[Michael O'Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Very English. Well set scene. Atmospheric and intimate. Romantic characters. A christian question of faith with an angel as a mentor. A weak ending.

[Laura Rasmussen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved all the other Adrian Plass books I have read but this one just didn't capture me 🙄😕

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I always read books with a spiritual bent over Lent. This was a really challenging read. Just what I was looking for