The Shack by William P. Young is a story about Mack, a man whose
daughter is kidnapped and brutally murdered. A few years after her murder, Mack
receives an invitation from God to meet Him at the shack where they found his
daughter's bloody clothes. Mack goes and works through the meaning of suffering
as he spends the weekend with the Trinity, uniquely portrayed (God the Father
is a large black woman, for instance).
Why is The Shack so popular? Is it actually a
"must read?" To the first question, I can only say that I think The Shack is asking some of the most important
questions people can ask, and exploring the answers in a way that is very
accessible. While reading, I understood its appeal -- these are the very
questions that I wrestle with in my heart, and Young works through them in a
very comforting way.
As to whether The Shack is a "must read," I'd say,
"that depends." It sort of reminds me of the words, "I love
you." There is nothing especially unique about them, and they are
extremely overused. From certain people or in certain situations, you are
likely to dismiss or even be infuriated by hearing them uttered. Of course,
from the right person, hearing them can be one of the most powerful experiences
of your life. So with The
Shack. This is a decidedly Christian answer in a somewhat shallow story
with forced dialogue. It's not the best writing in the world, but I can easily
see how if you read The Shack at the right moment, it has the power
to change your life. I know I'm still thinking about it, and I received enough
gems from the novel to recommend it to others.
