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The Shack | 
 enlarge | Author: William P. Young
Publisher: Windblown Media
Category: EBooks
List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $8.24
You Save: $6.75 (45%)
Rating:  1511 reviews
Sales Rank: 2
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Edition: 1st
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
ASIN: B001B8Z2S0
Publication Date: June 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Mackenzie Allen Philips' 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. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1506 more reviews...
 No Flannel-Graph Jesus January 27, 2008
Eric Wilson (Nashville, TN United States)
897 out of 1077 found this review helpful
In the book world, it's hard to explain "the buzz." What causes word of mouth to start spreading? What turns an unknown author and novel into a surprise bestseller? Even more inexplicable for the book snobs is when a story fails to meet their literary standards and yet touches the masses in an undeniable way.
"The Shack" is the buzz book of the past few months. I hadn't even heard of it in November, but by the end of December I'd had relatives, friends, and online pals from across the country telling me I "had" to read this one. I've been burned by such recommendations in the past, particularly in relation to spiritually oriented titles. (Can anyone say "The Prayer of Jabez" and "Left Behind"?), but I was willing to give it a shot.
William P. Young's book has an intriguing premise. Years ago, a father name MacKenzie Phillips took his children camping and lost one of them to a man who has kidnapped and killed others. Mack has grieved since then. His marriage has struggled. Understandably, his relationship with God has suffered. Then, one wintry day, he receives a note in his mailbox inviting him back to the woods, to the shack in which his daughter's dress and bloodstains were found. The note, it would seem, is from God.
From this simple yet effective premise, Young leads Mack Phillips back to his point of despair and anger. The encounters he then has with God there in "The Shack" serve as thought-provoking moments for both Mack and the reader. This is not the God of stodgy Sunday school classes. This is not a flannel-graph Jesus. This is not limited to a fluttering dove of the Holy Spirit. The descriptions here are startling, while remaining true to the nature of God's love and grace as portrayed through Scripture. Not only are they startling, they're wise and moving and beautiful.
Some might argue that "The Shack" has little theology or accuracy to it, but the very argument is what Young is trying to melt away. I earned a Bachelor's from a Bible college, and the majority of Mack's godly encounters could be wrapped up in biblical theology: redemption, grace, forgiveness, propitiation, etc. Do I agree with every line of the book? Not necessarily. Yet, while never sounding like trite religion (because they're not and never should be!), the words spoken by God in this book are full of vibrancy and life.
Is it the best crafted novel ever? No. In many ways, it could be encapsulated in a non-fiction treatise. However, in sharing this remarkable tale in a fictional form, Young has breathed wonder and wisdom into a story that will continue to buzz around for years to come.
The BEST Fiction Book of 2007 September 8, 2007
William Dahl (Redmond, OR)
95 out of 140 found this review helpful
The BEST work of Fiction I have read in Years. UNEQUIVOCALLY THE Best Fiction Book of 2007.
I am changed. I pray indelibly. My oh my!
Donald Miller, Jim Palmer, Jim Henderson, Jeff Jacobson --- now William P. Young --- refreshing, timely, powerful new voices, gifted story tellers God has raised up to speak to those who need to hear His voice, feel His love, comprehend God's presence today in their lives. This book pierced dimensions of my soul in ways that defy explanation through the written word --- it's just that powerful.
I must tell you I almost delayed reading this book (it was sent to me for review). I just wasn't in the mood for reading something that had a subtitle of "Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity." Don't make the mistake I almost made: You must not delay in reading this book. In fact, get 4 copies and give them to folks.
This story is a unique blessing, supernaturally infectious, and intended to distribute its blessing well beyond the initial reader who comes into contact with its contents. Whatever you're reading, drop it and get this book.
I promised I wouldn't share the story line. I'm going to keep that promise. This book was terribly special to me as I had spent several days last April with my boys smack dab in the midst of the geographic area (the Wallowa) where the story line takes place. Buy this book now. See the website at [...].
I will read this book once a year for the rest of my days. My prayer is that this is the first of many books to come from William P. Young. If no more books are ever written by Mr. Young, I will remain forever grateful for this one.
"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly." P. 97. This book renewed the strength in my wings and deepened my appreciation for my ability to soar.
Prepare for lift-off! Soar with The Shack. Mr. Young, I am especially fond of you. Read the book - You will come to understand what I mean.
Bill Dahl
Author, Creator, Editor
[...]
I am Especially Fond of This Book! August 6, 2008
Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA)
11 out of 16 found this review helpful
Mackenzie Allen Phillips is married to a godly woman and the father of four children. One weekend, he takes the kids on a camping trip, and the unthinkable happens. Mack is plunged in a world of despair, and a great sadness covers his life.
Four years later, he receives a mysterious invitation to return to the locale of this tragedy. Is this an invitation from the eternal God? Mack makes the trip up to The Shack, and his life changes forever.
Your life may change too, after you read this gripping story. Of the many books I've read in the past few years, this is definitely one of my favorites.
There are some strange ideas in this book about the Trinity, and there is a mysterious antipathy toward rules and regulations and hierarchy. Not everything in this book is in accordance with my understanding of the Bible and Christian theology.
But the book does an awesome job of portraying God's love for humanity and His desire to have fellowship with us. This book struck a chord in my life, and I have a special fondness for it, as God does for us all. Meet with God in The Shack and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Fiction you can learn from! December 28, 2007
M. Nowacki (mentor, ohio)
36 out of 60 found this review helpful
I don't read many fiction books because I like to learn from the books I read. This is one of the rare fiction books that could change your life. It challenged me to think about views on individualism, success, and power. It even taught me to think differently about my family and friends.
People know about the Trinity, but they only have a vague understanding of the relationship between The Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. "The Shack" gave me a greater understanding of how God can be the Trinity at the same time. I also gained a greater of understanding of what "God is love" really means.
I am a voracious reader (I own a bookstore) and I must say this is the best $10 investment I have ever made!
SHOCKED AND SHAKEN January 30, 2008
Marsha Marks (Savannah, GA)
42 out of 60 found this review helpful
Perhaps if one met the living God - not the one you hear about in most sunday schools across the United States, but if one met the true, the great, I AM - they would be smiling and laughing and crying and shocked and shaken. In this astounding book, THE SHACK, I came face to face with that God. (As much as we can - through a glass darkly) And I'm still shocked and shaken and all those other things. Like most readers...I came to this book with my own set of belief's - including and justifying...What Parent would not be justified hating the one who murdered their child? What victim of Child Abuse hasn't felt God doesn't understand their pain? What Christian has not heard their actions are shocking God? I have been to Bible School, studied the Bible for years...thought I had a strong faith, have written numerous books about my faith - and yet, this book...this one book, THE SHACK, has changed my life. I don't want to say it has a power second only to the Bible, but other's have said it and I feel that is true. It's just so dang embarrassing to say, a novel...of all things, could be that powerful. If you know of anyone who has suffered any pain or thinks they are 'righteous' or perhaps have a grip on who God is - have them read this book! Also, for those of you worried about it being theologically correct - it is. Just compare it to the accurate God of the Bible. Not to the God you've read about in other theological books, but the one in the Bible, the real I AM. Oh and whoever agreed to leave the two swear words that are in this book in there - thank you - I'm sorry but real life is sometimes about swearing. Sometimes pain produces in us - words that are not just 'darn' or 'opps'.
I cannot recommend this book strongly enough for those of you who are serious about knowing the one who loves you most. Or those who hate the God they think they know. Amen and Amen
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