Cross Roads

By: Wm. Paul Young

Narrated by: Roger Mueller

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Anthony Spencer is egotistical, proud of being a self-made business success at the peak of his game, even though the cost of winning was painfully high. A cerebral hemorrhage leaves Tony comatose in a hospital ICU. He 'awakens' to find himself in a surreal world, a 'living' landscape that mirrors dimensions of his earthly life, from the beautiful to the corrupt. It is here that he has vivid interactions with others he assumes are projections of his own subconscious, but whose directions he follows nonetheless with the possibility that they might lead to authenticity and perhaps, redemption. The adventure draws Tony into deep relational entanglements where he is able to 'see' through the literal eyes and experiences of others, but is "blind" to the consequences of hiding his personal agenda and loss that emerge to war against the processes of healing and trust. Will this unexpected coalescing of events cause Tony to examine his life and realize he built a house of cards on the poisoned grounds of a broken heart? Will he also have the courage to make a critical choice that can undo a major injustice he set in motion before falling into a coma?

©2012 Wm. Paul Young (P)2012 Hachette Audio

excellent book

Where does Cross Roads rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have loved the audiobooks you can get things done while listening to great stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cross Roads?

The best part was Rogers voices for different characters in the book.

Have you listened to any of Roger Mueller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but would like more by him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, although impossible but would have liked to.

William Paul Young is a true blessing!

I love everything this man writes. I'm hoping and praying he's got more books either written or in the works. If you haven't heard THE SHACK, go get it. This book is on the same lines as THE SHACK, but this one is a little lighter. Caution -- you have to be a true believer in what can possibly happen when God gets involved, or you won't get the story or like this book! This one is a true KEEPER!!

Great story, very different than The Shack

This is a great story but readers be warned, the message is very different than The Shack and should not go into it thinking so. The message is more subtle but very important to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Easy read

I wanted a book that was uplifting and spiritually encouraging. This book fit the bill. It had a good story line with a few surprises. The narrator did a great job. My only criticism is typical of many Christian fiction stories and that is that it was too hokey at times.

Great Book!

I loved this audiobook and highly recommend it! I also would highly recommend The Shack and Eve. All three audiobooks pull you in and bring you to a place in your heart and mind that you may have forgotten about. Thank you for writing these books! I work nights servicing accounts around Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA and listening to these books have made my nights go by faster and made me work with a smile and sometimes a tear. (I'm Man enough to admit it) Thank you again and for helping me to remember how much we are loved by our father God and his son Jesus.

Not Meant To Be A Sequel To "The Shack"

If you could sum up Cross Roads in three words, what would they be?

Eternal Perspective Shift

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cross Roads?

One of the most memorable moments of the book for me was Tony's encounter and battle with himself, or at least the monster of a self he had built up and allowed to rule his heart. The presence of the Holy Spirit, seen or not, was the hope to which Tony ultimately clung for strength and victory. This was the moment his heart was transformed from ugly self to beautiful follower of Papa. It strengthened my hope in being transformed knowing I'm never alone.

Have you listened to any of Roger Mueller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. Roger Mueller is amazing in his distinct vocal characterization of each person in the story. In "The Shack" I was never lost in wondering which character was speaking, and his performance in "Cross Roads," although very different, was just as easy to follow. I enjoy his voices and his ability to portray each character as unique and believable.

If you could take any character from Cross Roads out to dinner, who would it be and why?

If not Grandmother, it would definitely be Tony. I understand the perspective of the world that Tony represented before his encounter during the coma. Not that I have ever been like him, but I see the bitter, self-absorbed attitude in so many people, including myself at times. My curiosity about the inner battle with himself and the surrender to Papa would drive our conversation.

Any additional comments?

If you had the opportunity to see life and maybe even yourself through someone else's eyes, what do you believe you would see? That's the question that I keep asking myself through every chapter of "Cross Roads." I intentionally avoided comparing this book with "The Shack" (which I loved) to allow this story to work its way into my heart... and it did. That's the important similarity between the two books by Wm. Paul Young.

It's so easy to see and decide what other people need to change about themselves or their predicaments in order to be happy or successful. It's easy to solve the financial or relational problems of someone else from our perspective. But when it comes to changing ourselves or handling our problems or relationships or money or faults, it's much more challenging, and sometimes impossible to see those things as clearly for ourselves as we do for others.

Papa's desire for Tony, and for us, is to see the world and our place in it the way that He sees it. Emphasizing that we are never alone, and that we don't have to depend on our own faulty perspective or view of things, He wants to show us how He sees things. That way our journey in this the world is not so scary, not nearly as confusing, and never lonely.

Wonderful story

I loved the narrator/voices used in this story...very well read and enjoyable to listen to. Interesting story line... not what I had anticipated given other things I've read and viewed by Wm Paul Young. I found myself more engaged in the story once the main character began interacting in 'real life' characters like Maggie, Molly, and Cabby. The Trinity characters didn't speak to me in this book as they have in other things Paul has done.

Having moved a lot in my childhood I have 3rd culture and belonging issues that I had hoped I would gain greater insight into, but I didn't identify with the main character in that way. I felt a bit in the 'weeds' and struggled throughout the book in the more fantastical side of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the story... I'm more of a non-fiction book reader but the break from that recently in books that convey powerful messages through story has been a nice diversion.

Must read list... but why wait?

If you like a story that takes you through a gamut of emotions and reveals the secrets of your own heart with clarity and understanding all while entertaining, then this is the book for you! Well done Wm. Paul Young, and thank you!

Crossroads

very beautiful and emotional reading. loved it. really like wm p. young. can't Wait to read more fro. this author.

Loved this book

This book was funny, it was inspiring, really makes you think. I could not put it down. Loved the book entirely.