The Shack by William Paul Young

THE SHACK by William Paul Young

This book has moved me more than I can say. The early chapters are difficult, working through Mack’s bereavement and sense of guilt after the abduction and murder of his young daughter, but then he travels back to the area where she disappeared. Here he spends an incredible weekend , encountering three amazing people – so amazing that he can’t believe what is happening to him. You won’t believe it either. Mack asks how a loving God could allow a precious child to suffer intense fear and pain: he asks many other brutal questions and each time the answer spins him round and sends his mind whirling.

Halfway through, I started to race my reading, eager to get to the next page, and the next. Then, towards the end, I slowed down, put the book aside for days at a time, because I just didn’t want to finish it. Now, a few weeks later, I keep dipping in, trying to recall some of the discussions Mack had with his disturbing friends.

There’s a copy on the church bookshelves. See what you think of it.

Jackie Dunn