#4 The Shack

Normally when I come to write a review about a book, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to say. But right now... my minds a blank!

This book was written by a man called William Paul Young, who traditionally only wrote short stories for his children never to be published. After being nagged by his wife he wrote: 'The Shack', with the aim of having it published one day. The concept of this book is not for everyone, but the brave people who do listen to my advice and read it, are open to changing their perspective on life. My father read this book after my mother died, and the impression I got from him was that this book helped him heal and healthily move on with his life. I read it because he said it was one of his favourite books, and as he reads a lot I knew it was worth it.

Mackenzie Allen Philips (Mack) is the man of our story. He and his family went camping one weekend, which ended in the abduction of his youngest daughter, Missy. With Missy missing and presumed dead, Mack's his anger and grief is directed at the person who could have spared his little girl, God. Three and a half years later, Mack receives a note in his postbox inviting him back to the place of all his nightmares, where Missy's blood-stained dress was found. It is signed by someone called 'Papa', the name that his wife Nan has given to God.

Mack's mind begins to spin as he wonders whether this is from the man who kidnapped Missy or whether it was a sick joke or maybe if it really was from the God almighty. He decides to head to the abandoned and blood-stained Shack, looking for answers. It is there he encounters Papa, Jesus and Sarayu.

He spends a weekend with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit learning about the importance of relationships, passing judgment, forgiveness and so much more. Being a Christian myself, this enchanting read opened my eyes to how God views the world and loves all the people inside it, in spite of any darkness that can be found within.

As I said, this book is not for everyone. At times I struggled to understand the message coming from the text, but other times the clarity was so beautiful that I was moved to tears. It is a small book packed with such important ideas to take away. There are eighteen chapters in total, all of manageable size and each with a quote to reflect from. I applaud Wm Paul Young for writing such an intelligent and personal novel. In an interview I watched with Young, he describes the shack as a metaphor for where all the horrible and dark pieces of our lives reside and sometimes, we need to go and face them with a visit.

Once again, irritatingly, I have chosen a book which; A) is emotional and B) has been made into a film. I am yet to watch it but from what I have seen in the trailer, it'll be a good one!

I shall leave you with the quote from the final chapter:

Faith never knows where it is being led,

But it knows and loves the One who is leading.

-Oswald Chambers