Book Review: The Shack

A few months ago a friend of mine insisted that I read “The Shack” and after hearing very briefly about it I knew she was right. I was at a crossroads in my life and had turned away from my spirit, I believe my friend knew this. I did a little more research on the book before actually reading it and was blown away by the amount of praise it had received.  A lot of them from non-Christians as well as Christians, all glowing. I will focus on the content of “The Shack” in this review with just a little insight into what it did for me. I have to warn you it is hard not to give away some of the story as the book is mostly dialogue.

“The Shack” by William P. Young

Four years before the story begins Mack Phillips’ youngest daughter is abducted and murdered while on a family vacation. A organized yet frustrating search turns up evidence that Missy was taken by a notorious serial killer and murdered in a small abandoned shack. The story begins with Mack under the shadow of what has become known as “The Great Sadness” when he receives a note to meet at the Shack. The note is signed, Papa the name Mack’s wife Nan affectionately uses for God. A student of the Seminary, Mack is suspicious of the note as he had been taught that God no longer has open dialogue with humans. Uncertain, confused and angry Mack returns to the scene of his child’s murder where he has a week-long encounter with God.

Standing at the door Mack ponders how to let God know he has arrived, does one knock? After all it is God he’s meeting, wouldn’t he know? As Mack stands in front of the door the anger and pain he thought had subsided returns and he reaches to bang on the door when the it flies open and he is greeted by a heavy-set Black woman.  The woman knows who he is and smells of jasmine perfume (like Mack’s mother). As Mack enters the house Papa, as she is known throughout the book gives him a big hug and introduces him to the remainder of the Holy Trinity, Jesus (the Son) is young with Middle Eastern features,  Sarayu (The Holy Spirit) is a small Asian woman. There is a lot of dialogue between the Trinity and Mack, a lot of which he doesn’t understand but what shines through is how much love passes between them.

In each chapter Mack is challenged to look at his views on religion,God, free will and humanity through conversations (and work) with each part of the Trinity. With Papa he explores God’s vengeance, and her ability to intervene in her “kids” lives, With Jesus he explores being human yet Godly and lastly and really the most interesting are the conversation in the gardens of his soul with Sarayu. The dialogue between Mack and The Trinity will take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, happy moments blossom of sadness and despair several times. And by the end of Mack’s week-long spiritual therapy session he  emerges a different, healed man. He’s learned to love again and most importantly forgive. Some would say he’d learned to be Christ-like.

My personal take on the book was simple, I loved it. When I read this book I was going through a very challenging time in my life, I turned away from my spiritual side and began to rely on earthly wants and needs and it crippled me emotionally. After reading “The Shack” my eyes were open to how God actually sees us, and I realized my constant striving for perfection is my own cross, it’s not one that I need to bear.  There is a section in the book about hierarchy, rules and the ten commandments and the explanation on why we have them. As I read it, it was as if a light bulb clicked in my head and I embraced it.  I recommend anyone that has ever battled with religion read this book, and finish it even when you don’t feel like you can’t.