The Shack by William Paul Young

Christian Novel From an "Accidental Author" Becomes Best-Seller

Jun 25, 2009

William P. Young's The Shack is a piece of Christian fiction that manages to be inspiring, interesting, and challenges religious prejudices all at the same time.

Mack Phillips is an average father of three with a touch-and-go relationship with God, but all that changes when an unforeseen tragedy strikes. Depression and anger begin to color his life, and he is invited to spend a weekend with God in - of all places - the shack containing the worst memories of his life.

Though laboriously and a little unnecessarily wordy at the beginning, The Shack soon picks up and readers will find themselves pulled into this compelling story of loss, grief, and reconciliation with God. Told as though it is a true story, The Shack takes on a more urgent meaning.

As Mack begins his weekend retreat with the Father (who likes to affectionately be called "Papa,") Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, the story is mostly told through question-and-answer style dialogue between the characters. Young gives readers a somewhat unconventional and highly intimate look at the gospel, free will, and God's love.

The Shack concentrates on breaking down religious stereotypes. In fact, the story begins when Mack receives a written note in the mail from God asking him to meet Him for the weekend. One of Mack's friends protests, "but God doesn't do stuff like that." In The Shack, however, readers are introduced to a very different Deity than they might imagine.

Of the controversy often stirred up by the novel, Young says, "it pushes us to re-think how we view God, how we view our relationship with God... I believe God wants us to be healed of those things even that we consider sacred but are really binding." It seeks to advance a more loving, relationship-oriented association with God and each individual personally.

Striking a Chord With Readers

One of the reasons The Shack is so hard to put down is because of the themes that resonate with readers on a deeper level. The love of a parent for children, the panic-stricken feeling when something goes wrong, and especially the feelings of estrangement from God when struggling to understand life's trials are themes to which readers can universally relate.

Young wrote his first draft of The Shack at the urging of his wife to put his thoughts on God and his spiritual journey on paper for his six children. The original (and only intended printing) of the manuscript was 15 copies at Office Depot. With two of his close friends, Young started Windblown Media and self-published The Shack, which quickly and unexpectedly rose to best-seller status.

The copyright of the article The Shack by William Paul Young in Modern American Fiction is owned by Jenny Evans. Permission to republish The Shack by William Paul Young in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.