Early in the week I finished reading “The Shack” by William P. Young. I decided to step outside my usual unwillingness to read over hyped, best-seller type books, mostly due to the nature of the subject, and since a few I know have read this recently.
From Amazon.Com I got the following description:
Mackenzie Allen Philips’ (aka Mack) youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever.
I have read some things on the author, and it should probably be pointed out, maybe more so to those before reading it, that three of the four main characters are just the author’s perception of them. Those being, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I could see some reading this book and screaming “blasphemy!” as they throw the book into the fireplace and/or being utterly appalled by their depictions. When reading this, you need to take it all with a grain of salt. Even though I didn’t know this going in, I still had the salt shaker in hand.
I came across with two points of view after reading this book, though actually one of the views was forming early on. And that, being the first I will discuss, is the writing. It’s not that great. Young is no wordsmith. Sure, he could put a few sentences together with some decent prose. But it’s basic stuff. And at times awkward. His storytelling early on is rushed, though to his credit, it’s not exactly what the book is about. It’s to get to the place Mack is supposed to be going. I can live with that.
William P. Young
One problem though during that time is that Mack gets along with everyone, even strangers he just meets, and likes them immediately. Uh, yeah. Sure his character is religious to a point, but it is described that his wife is the foundation of the family’s faith, and she comes across (what little she is in the book) as rather believable. Mack’s faith is waning in the early stages of the book, yet he’s got this always-happy-Christian aura that is, well hate to say it, a bit sickening because it’s lacking realism. Also, as pointed out in the description and throughout the book, Mack is suffering from what he calls his “Great Sadness” (and it’s always italicized) due to the death of his daughter. Yet there is very little oomph to it. It’s just mentioned. The deepest we get is Mack being reminded of something and the narrator saying “and he could feel it start to cover him like a dark cloud” or something along those lines. It’s a key to the depths of Mack’s character, yet it’s treated as a surface varnish. Plus it goes against his always happy, always friendly demeanor. A lot of the things within the book lack real depth. But that also depends on how you look at the book, and where you are within your faith.
That brings me to the second point of view. I don’t think this is a book to be read by those that are just turning to God. It is one man’s view/perception of what He is like. However, I think many Christians, especially those standing rather firmly in their faith, can get something from it. Even with the lack of depth on some levels, I found myself enthralled with the book. I wanted to keep reading, any minute I could. At times my faith experiences speed bumps. Sometimes even huge holes that I get stuck in, for a long time, too. But I feel somewhat rooted in where my feelings and beliefs stand. Whether my thoughts are wrong or right (I am sure, mostly wrong or at best, off a bit), and no matter what the perceptions of the author, I still experienced something good with the book. It opened new threads of thought for me. Some of the perceptions and views of the Holy Trinity were in line with my views, and it gave me a good feeling that I am not the only one believing in that, or at least hoping that it’s the way. And the outpouring of what could be very emotional points, and the interaction of the Three really touched me. Maybe I just got too caught up in it (it was Easter after all)? But I think this was due to where I already stand. It was a good reminder for me on how my thoughts and actions should be centered. And I hate to say it, but there were many times when I was holding back tears while reading. Some of this was due to putting myself in Mack’s position, and the pain he is going through losing a child (even if the depiction of his pain was not very deep in it’s portrayal). The story effected me in many ways, and it was intriguing to read another person’s concept of what God is like and how a relationship with Him can be built. Even if I don’t agree with some of it. And even if it doesn’t seem in line with what scriptures and/or theologians say.
For the heck of it I read some of the negative reviews of the book on Amazon. Some are very well thought out and punched a lot of holes into Young’s portrayals of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I can truly understand why some would feel that way. I didn’t however. I felt that it brought out more positives for me (beyond the writing). I wasn’t looking for a faith changing read. I was interested is seeing how the author would play things out though. It is fiction after all. If we can laugh at George Burns or Morgan Freeman playing God, why can’t we accept the portrayals within this book? Reading about the author, he says that he never intended this to be read by more then his immediate family and close friends. He wasn’t, or so it seems, looking to change people’s opinions of God and their faith. So maybe it is wrong to look at the book that way.
Even through the major problems, I found it entertaining and enlightening.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
My sister received this book as a gift from friends, she told me a little about it and already I was dying to get it in my hands – she is a bit of a slow reader, I kept reminding her to please (hurry up) with it so I could get to read it. After her many comments, I decided to go to a local book shop in SA and read the back of the book ( as we all do before buying ) I loved it and gave my sister another 3 weeks, I eventually went last week to purchase the book as I was dying to read and could no longer wait. I read until the part where his daughter was presumed dead – it took me another week to recover from what I read, I was devastated and only continued today – so far whatIi have read,I am very impressed with the content, language, expressions the entire wording and account of the pages I have read, I am looking forward to reading this book this weekend and hopefully finishing it! I however have to disagree with the above comments “Sure, he could put a few sentences together with some decent prose. But it’s basic stuff. And at times awkward. His storytelling early on is rushed, though to his credit, it’s not exactly what the book is about” – I have to disagree – this is not about putting a few sentences together or basic stuff – this is excellant writing and the feelings and expressions and emotions about losing a loved is more important then looking at the style of writing – hey I’m no author here but I read alot and I have a few books that I have left after the first few pages. I feel like I am in that situation and alot of the effects and emotions of losing a child is portrayed here, alot of parents having to deal with a missing or dead child will appreciate this book – it is comforting to them and makes parents more aware of safety around children, loving and appreciating them, taking care of them, children are so special – I hug and kiss my son everyday of my life and I am so much more aware of what I would go through if this had happened to me – William P. Young – you are awesome !! Keep up the good work – hopefully you will have another one out soon, I am definately a fan.
Best wishes
Olivia
June 5th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Thanks for your comments Olivia. Where you disagree with me comes from my reading of other books. I have read some stuff by authors whose prose is phenomenal. Young’s isn’t. I also think that it lacks depth in what Mack is feeling. But, as I said, and you even quoted, that is not what the story is about. Therefore, even though I was disappointed in areas where I thought it lacked on authorship, it wasn’t meant to turn heads there. It is more about his relationship building with God and Mack’s strength in his faith. And there, I think Young excelled.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:49 am
Here’s a book where Christian theology meets the author’s imagination in a moving story about grace, redemption and forgiveness. Young breathes new life to these principles by exploring them in a narrative. The same thoughts can be presented in a theological treatise but in a story they offer stronger emotional resonance.
July 4th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Our Church (Anglican) was dealing with the ‘Grace of God’ as I read ‘The Shack’.
My wife and I had to leave our Methodist Church (about 3 years ago) because the acoustics in the new building made it impossible to stay. I have ony one good ear and a powerful hearing aid in that. I can however manage well in our new Church.
I therefore had an immense hang-up / obsession / grudge about the Church we left especially as I was on the Development committee.
To the point!
On reading ‘The Shack’ I felt Jesus being within me (quite scriptural) and the obsessioin was gone, no grudge left. I later went to a social evening at the Methodist Church and although I couldn’t hear any of the speakers (they were not using the loop) I felt no grievance and shook hands with those who had chosen the wall finish, causing the problem.
I realise that ‘The Shack’ doesn”t deal with many problems of the Christian faith but as the Love and Grace of God are the most important aspects, I feel the book is immensly helpful. Incidentally I was a convert to Christianity some 60 years ago.
God bless
Howard
July 15th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Finally getting around to responding to the last two comments.
Great points Elois! I never thought of the book that way, but now looking back think you are hitting it right on the mark.
And Mr. Bentley, I am glad that this book brought upon you a feeling of peace. My review was critical of his writing, because I am a fan of writing, and this was (for the most part) fiction. But even below the surface of it all, I found a great feeling overtaking me while reading this book.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I love how you have express the love that God has for us. It had opened my eyes to make sure that I do not judge anyone and I can not be independent I must have God to walk with me in every step of the way.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
But I do pray that this book becomes a movie……
November 9th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
This is the best book I have ever read. It is about the love of God and not religion. I also hope to see a movie made about the shack. I can see how people from different religions would not like this book as they are stuck in their way and no other way. I am 70 years old and have done a lot of reading and studying of the Bible with many types of religions. I some how don’t seem to fit in as I asked to many questions they don’t seem to have the answers
for. I have to say when reading this book I caught myself crying as this is how I have always seen God as unconditional love. I just don’t feel you can put conditions on Gods love. The word christian has aways left a bad taste with me. But a child of God is what I felt we all were. Great Book
December 10th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
If this is a book about faith then why not present God as who HE is. This book is very blasphemous. The Bible warns that some people are going to dress up as sheep but inside they arelike wolves. People prefer to read stuff that does not line up with tht Bible, the word of God, and read trash like the shack. I do not capitalize the title because if the author changes in his story the shack, who God really is, then I will feel free to make grammatical mistakes when I spell the shack. I was shocked at his blasphemous personification of God. God is God and NO ONE is to mess with Him.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I read The Shack in two nights and one day. The book represents my view of God. I, too, have difficult with religiosity and man’s view of God. How many of us REALLY know the “truth”? I believe that the Godly experience is a personal one not an influential one; as the book puts it, it’s a relationship and relationships work differently for different people. This book supports my conviction that religion puts God in a box and intelligently expresses that God is, in fact, many things to one person: a mother, a father, a healer, a redeemer, etc., etc. At no moment did I feel that it was a blasphemy or that it tried to nullify the Bible; on the contrary, I think it brings the knowledge of God and the Trinity to a more “graspable” level.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Very well said, Mercedes.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I felt the story could start many people talking about God and prayer but I never forgot it was intended to be just a story. When we as fallible humans start judging things as if we have the power and knowledge God does on how things will be used, then we are limiting God to those things we can think of.
This book is especially good for reading groups, paired with Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, in raising religious discussion for an intellectual debate.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I love this book it was GREAT
January 6th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
I’m saddened by the people who flail at this book as “Blasphemous” and worse when it’s apparent that if they read it, they missed the point entirely. Like some readers, I thought that some of the prose was a bit amateurish but it didn’t detract from the ideas- in fact it strengthened my delight partly because it was so obviously the product of the heart more than of the intellect. Characterising God the Father in disguise as a black woman? Hardly more heretical than describing God as a burning bush or speaking through a donkey!
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I read the book more than a year ago. Since then I have acquired cd’s of author’s two visits to my church, Northland and read many book reviews. I am 84 and been following Christ for 35 years. I enjoyed reading the book. Most of my friends are evangelical and enjoyed it also, with reservations. We have a tendency to impose rules on how we think. That was a problem in Jesus’ lifetime and remains with us. I loved the book’s treatment of the Holy Spirit also. I have to smile because He (or She) has a way to lovingly puncture the balloons we tend to fill up with our own hot air. Peace!!!!