Tag Archives: Fiction Book

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Opening Statement and "what's the point?"

include title, author, and a quote from the author about the purpose of the book.

What is the tone of the book?

What makes this author uniquely qualified to write this book?  Who is his audience?

What is the purpose of the book?

What does the book promise? What is the problem the book promises to solve?

What does the author say?

two or three paragraphs - does the book do what it promised to do?  why or why not?  If not, why not?

Why does it matter?

Before I wrap up the review, I want to help people understand what sets this book apart and what makes it unique. This is often the most important part of the review.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? -What is your overall impression?

Reviews are, by their very nature, subjective. An author of a review cannot entirely remove himself from it.

And the verdict is:

Challies says:

At 10MillionWords I’ve gotten into the habit of closing each review with “Verdict: Read it if…”

Adapted from GoodReads and Challies

 

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There is a reason that so many people are reading "The Shack" as if it were a non-fiction book.

The reason?  It's written as if it's a non-fiction book.

Some quotes and comments from and about the Forward.

The forward of a book is usually by someone other than the author and I believe is meant to tell the reader the purpose of the book.

I have known Mack for a bit more than twenty years, since the day we both showed up at a neighbor's house to help him bale a field of hay...

Mack was born in the Midwest, a farm-boy...

In a world of talkder, Mack is a thinker and a doer...

Although he communicates well enough verbally, Mack is not comfortable with his writing skills - something he knows I am passionate about.  So he asked if I would ghost-write this story -- his story...

What you are about to read is something that Mack and I have struggled with for many months to put into words...

Whether some parts of it are actually true or not, I won't be the judge...

Memory can be a tricky companion at times...

I would not be too suprised, in spite of our concerted effort toward accuracy, if some factual errors and faulty remembrances are reflected in these pages.  They are not intentional.

I can promise you that the conversations and events are recorded as truthfully as Mack can remember them, so please try and cut him a little slack...

The forward is signed "Willie"

In short...the reason that so many people are treating this book as if it is non-fiction is that the author presents it in the forward as NON-FICTION.

In the forward (which tells the purpose of the book) we are introduced to the person who lived this story, Mack.  We are told his family history, we are told that the author was asked by Mack to ghost-write the book.  We are further told that the book is recorded as accurate.

Is this the forward of a book that the author wants to be read as "fiction"?

series of my posts on "The Shack"