By David Mills

• William P. Young: The Shack, Windblown Media, 2007

THE Christian Book Store describes The Shack like this:

“Mackenzie Philip’s youngest daughter has been abducted during the family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.”

That is only the first part of the story by this Alberta-born author residing  in Oregon.

Those of us who have read and been touched by The Shack are convinced this book deserves a reading across the broadest reaches of our culture.

This is a compelling and provocative story, and has a literary quality which distinguishes it as a special gift.

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It offers one of the most poignant views of God, and how he relates to us, that I have ever encountered. It will encourage those who already know God – but also engage those who have not yet recognized his work in their lives.

The story invites us into a journey to the very heart of God, by opening the veil that often separates us from him. It does serious damage to the system of ‘dos and don’ts’ which distort our view of God. It invites us into an understanding of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is personal, intimate and, above all, real.

“Finally – a guy-meets-God novel that has literary integrity and spiritual daring,” writes Mike Morrell, of zoecarnate.com. The Shack, he adds, “cuts through the cliches of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life’s integral dance with the Divine.

“This story reads like a prayer – like the best kind of prayer, filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. When I read it, I felt like I was fellowshipping with God.”

Eugene Peterson states that the book “has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It is that good!”

This book will give you some healthy surprises – and definitely challenge your preconceptions.        theshackbook.com

January 2008