What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shock of Your Life
Dan, Becky and Emma have one thing in common... they just died. Were they ready? The Shock of Your Life grapples with life's biggest question-What happens when we die?
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2000
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 26, 2014
How the heck does this book only have an average of four stars.
I am seriously doubting in the ability of ratings any more.
Because sure, the writing was clumsy, the dialogues worse, and the characters thinly veiled morals. But the meaning in this book? It was amazing. It changed my view on Christianity, and changed me from lukewarm to getting hotter.
The non-Christian ends his part with "Why do you keep quiet?" Well, I won't keep quiet any more: not only about Christianity, but also about this amazing book.
I am seriously doubting in the ability of ratings any more.
Because sure, the writing was clumsy, the dialogues worse, and the characters thinly veiled morals. But the meaning in this book? It was amazing. It changed my view on Christianity, and changed me from lukewarm to getting hotter.
The non-Christian ends his part with "Why do you keep quiet?" Well, I won't keep quiet any more: not only about Christianity, but also about this amazing book.
September 24, 2017
(This review may contain spoilers).
As a Christian, the very first time I read this book, I was excited by it and engaged with it. Reading it again now, though....
The idea behind this book was an intriguing one. No one knows what heaven could be like and while it might be a fun concept to imagine, the chances are heaven in reality will fall thousands of miles short of even the most vivid of imaginations.
While the book was inherently quite powerful, with a strong message, I did think it came across as a bit preachy in parts. The concepts are fairly sound, but the Bible verses indicated by the passages don't really say anything more than what's already stated in the book. Certainly not in the kind of language a young person might want to read off their own back. It would be better if the book contained a bit more mystery; hinted at stories and parables in the Bible, rather than outright stating everything. After all, the point behind the book was to engage with people who aren't Christian.
The idea of the three types of people being judged and two of them as Christians was well-written, even though the characters themselves seemed to just be mouthpieces. Rather than characters readers can identify with, they were just used to identify three types of people in the Bible.
I couldn't really say this book would resonate with people who aren't Christians and who don't have any background in Christianity. The character who wasn't a Christian was fairly stereotypical and there was really more of a sense of 'deathbed confession' about him. And all three of the characters decided to list ten points in the exact same way, instead of considering indicating those points in a more intriguing way. The points in bold really weren't necessary, as they could have been emphasised in different ways.
I would say that this book might do better as part of a discussion/reading group. Maybe as part of an ALPHA course. The questions at the end of the book fit in well with that...but again, I would say it would appeal more to those already curious about the Christian faith.
As a Christian, the very first time I read this book, I was excited by it and engaged with it. Reading it again now, though....
The idea behind this book was an intriguing one. No one knows what heaven could be like and while it might be a fun concept to imagine, the chances are heaven in reality will fall thousands of miles short of even the most vivid of imaginations.
While the book was inherently quite powerful, with a strong message, I did think it came across as a bit preachy in parts. The concepts are fairly sound, but the Bible verses indicated by the passages don't really say anything more than what's already stated in the book. Certainly not in the kind of language a young person might want to read off their own back. It would be better if the book contained a bit more mystery; hinted at stories and parables in the Bible, rather than outright stating everything. After all, the point behind the book was to engage with people who aren't Christian.
The idea of the three types of people being judged and two of them as Christians was well-written, even though the characters themselves seemed to just be mouthpieces. Rather than characters readers can identify with, they were just used to identify three types of people in the Bible.
I couldn't really say this book would resonate with people who aren't Christians and who don't have any background in Christianity. The character who wasn't a Christian was fairly stereotypical and there was really more of a sense of 'deathbed confession' about him. And all three of the characters decided to list ten points in the exact same way, instead of considering indicating those points in a more intriguing way. The points in bold really weren't necessary, as they could have been emphasised in different ways.
I would say that this book might do better as part of a discussion/reading group. Maybe as part of an ALPHA course. The questions at the end of the book fit in well with that...but again, I would say it would appeal more to those already curious about the Christian faith.
January 9, 2023
“Even a blunt instrument can act as a tool sometimes.” (Feel like someone wise has said that at some point).
That’s how I feel about this book. A pretty frank and unapologetic evangelistic endeavour that talks through the key points of what heaven does/doesn’t look like without great sophistication (and so was on track for a three star review)…and yet, it did evoke a startling emotional reaction from me (this is my requirement for a book getting 5 stars) - and so 4 stars seemed fair.
I found the multi-angle approach super interesting but perhaps a little frustrating by the third time round…
That’s how I feel about this book. A pretty frank and unapologetic evangelistic endeavour that talks through the key points of what heaven does/doesn’t look like without great sophistication (and so was on track for a three star review)…and yet, it did evoke a startling emotional reaction from me (this is my requirement for a book getting 5 stars) - and so 4 stars seemed fair.
I found the multi-angle approach super interesting but perhaps a little frustrating by the third time round…
August 6, 2020
Very good book for Christians and Non-Christians alike! Incredibly thought-provoking and interesting!
August 24, 2022
Absoluut een boek die je tot nadenken zet over het leven, hoe jij over dingen denkt en wat je verder nog wil.
January 16, 2018
This book is one I picked up after attending a preach by Adrian at a youth camp a couple of years ago. I was interested in his style of teaching and wanted to know more about what he believed.
Although an interesting read, I found this book a little hard to swallow. Instead of giving me any real revelation about the truth of the Bible, the book more informed me of a particular take on life after death.
I think that the book should not have included the character who was able to return to Earth after Jesus comes again. This seemed to push the story over the edge from helpful to fictional. I think I may have read this book with the wrong idea in my head as to what it may have been about.
Although an interesting read, I found this book a little hard to swallow. Instead of giving me any real revelation about the truth of the Bible, the book more informed me of a particular take on life after death.
I think that the book should not have included the character who was able to return to Earth after Jesus comes again. This seemed to push the story over the edge from helpful to fictional. I think I may have read this book with the wrong idea in my head as to what it may have been about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 28, 2007This is essential reading for anyone who wonders what happens when you die. Are you going to heaven or to hell? Explicitly and sensitively written; probably aimed at teenagers. I would love to own a copy of this book.
August 8, 2012
WOW!!! I just don't know where to start! this is just am amzing book it's one of the best christian book i have and will ever read. It's tells you exacally what is going to happen when we die it's so powerful a book!
August 26, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as a 'lukewarm' Christian when I read the book it really motivated me to delve deeper into my beliefs and strengthen my faith. I liked the fact that the author took three perspectives from different character to get their desired effects.
August 24, 2012
Awesome book!!
March 16, 2014
Read it when I was about 16. It made a huge impression on me.
April 14, 2017
I love this book, it puts it out there so people can understand.
April 30, 2011
Certainly a book to make you think.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews