The Shack- William P. Young

A friend sent me this book awhile back and asked me to tell her what I thought of it. When I first read the back cover, I was somewhat skeptical as I come from a fairly traditional Christian background. But when another good friend told me how much she was enjoying it, and a bit of the basic premise, I was ready to give it a go. This, indeed, was no ordinary read, but a journey. The story is about a man names Mack, who is haunted by The Great Sorrow, after the abduction of his young daughter. When a note arrives at his mailbox, asking him to meet him at the shack, where evidence of Missy had been discovered, and signed by Papa (his wife’s name for God), he is at once affronted, afraid and intrigued. Eventually he makes the life-altering decision to accept the offer, and leaves for this encounter. The sentence under the title states, “Where tragedy confronts eternity” and I believe this is exactly what this book does. It brings us into the presence of a loving Father who is willing to meet us at any place in our lives, and walk us through an understanding of our pain. It reminds us profoundly that His grace is sufficient, if we are willing to call on Him. It is not a typical religious book, as you might expect; it is one that speaks to the heart about very real questions we might have about faith, about God and how this might fit with tragedy in the world around us.

This is the one must-read book of the year. This is the one I will purchase for others and recommend to all.