The Shack

Just finished reading The Shack over the past weekend–Wow!  This 2007 book is a delight–but the real word to describe it is phenomenon.  Theology, narrative, novel, spiritual reality–all rolled into one.  It doesn’t qualify as superb writing according to the general standards of the literary guild, and there’s no reasonable explanation of the impact it has had on countless readers, but just over a year after it was first published as a paperback, it debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times trade paperback fiction best-seller list on June 8 and has stayed there ever since. It is No. 1 on Borders Group’s trade paperback fiction list, and at Barnes & Noble it has been No. 1 on the trade paperback list since the end of May.

 The Shack, a paperback novel by an unknown author, is about a grieving father who meets God in an unlikely place in unlikely forms.  An appealing story of redemption and God’s love, the book isn’t short on theology and explaining how and what God is up to in the world today.  In some ways, I found it a difficult read (because I kept comparing the message of the book and the Scriptures).

The author, William P. Young, a former office manager and hotel night clerk, has given us a surprise best seller.  He spent some time in seminary and theological training, thinking through some of the more difficult questions God brings into our lives.

Highly recommended, and worth the read.  Get it, and read it!