The Shack - Where Tragedy Meets Eternity

Author: William P. Young

Publisher: Windblown Media

Reviewed by:  Sue Collins

Paul Young was born a Canadian and raised among a stone-age tribe by his

missionary parents in the highlands of what was New Guinea. He suffered great loss

as a child and young adult, and now enjoys the “wastefulness of grace” with his family

in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.

Young’s book, The Shack, is his first book and became the #1 New York Times bestseller. He gives the success of this book to the Holy Spirit; over seven million copies are in print.

He wrote this book for his six children and his wife and once finished published fifteen copies. Paul gave copies to his family and friends as a gift. However, his friends kept on coming back for more copies, and he was encouraged, to get it published. Twenty-six publishers turned him down, so a couple of his associates started their own publishing company and published the book for him.

He states that the story he tells in ‘The Shack’ is true, but not real. It is fiction, but not fantasy. It is a way to understand reality, by asking the right questions. When it comes to the issue of pain, where is God in the pain? And where is He in the process of healing?

The first few chapters tell a story of the abduction of a little girl, during a family vacation. That’s griping enough to read. But then follows the amazing part four years later. The story takes the reader on a journey with its main character, Mackenzie, as he faces his ‘Great Sadness’. I was gripped emotionally, intellectually and spiritually as I read of Mackenzie’s unusual, amazing, humorous and humanly wonderful meeting with the Godhead (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The God who seemed always some distance away, becomes close, understandable and . . . well I can’t disclose too much of the mystery! 

This Shack made me remember sadness’ in my own life, and to reflect over how I’d dealt with them and the ever increasing knowledge that God is a good good God.

I had trouble putting The Shack down until I’d finished it. And the second time ‘round it was just as good.