I highly doubt that the book The Shack is unknown to anyone. It is one of the best selling religious literatures of our times. And there is probably a good chance that theological dialog has come about because of it.
I read it because I got into a discussion with some people about the book over burgers back at Knoxville one winter. I had read about it, but never read it. So I had to good spend my money on the book.
I had developed some thoughts about the book after I read it. I found myself emotionally pulled in by the story but repulsed at the distortions of God that are presented in the book.
I recently read these two reviews of the book and found that they articulate some of the main problems with the book better than I can. There are still some that they don’t mention, but they nail the main points.
Tim Keller, “The Shack—Impressions”
Katherine Jeffrey, “‘I Am Not Who You Think I Am’—Situating The Shack in a Christian Literary Landscape,” Books & Culture (January/February 2010), pp. 33-34.
Justin Taylor has a bigger list over at his blog where I came across these.
Renewing Thoughts 
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February 9, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Alesia
Yes, I have definitely heard of the shack. But when Brett (Harris) highly recommend that I didn’t read it, I decided to take his word for it. I have read a few reviews, and I didn’t agree with how God was portrayed, especially when no one even knows what God looks like.
One girl had told me it was like C.S.Lewis’ series, Narnia, but with further reading into reviews, I quickly realized the two have nothing in common.
So I doubt that I will be picking up “The Shack” anytime to read.
February 10, 2010 at 11:55 am
Charlie
Yea Alesia, the book does not give an accurate picture of God. I only read the book because I had to discuss it with people that were fans.
And no, it is not part of the same vein as “Narnia” at all. But people have been confusing it’s genre ever since Eugene Peterson started the misrepresentation by his blurb that says the Shack is another Pilgrim’s Progress.