The Shack (Young novel)
| Author | William P Young |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Christian fiction |
| Publisher | Windblown Media |
Publication date | May, 2007 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (paperback, later also hardcover) |
| Pages | 256 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0964729237 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
The Shack is a novel by William P. Young, a former office manager and hotel night clerk, published in 2007.[1]
The novel was self-published but became a USA Today bestseller, having sold 1 million copies as of June 8. [2] It has also maintained its status as #1 Paperback trade fiction seller on the New York Times best sellers list since June 2008.[3]
Young originally wrote The Shack as a Christmas gift for his 6 children with no intention of publishing. After letting several friends read the book he was urged to publish The Shack for the general public. Young and his two partners (former pastors from Los Angeles) had no success with both religious and secular publishers, so they formed Wind Blown Media with the sole purpose of publishing this one book. The Shack has achieved its #1 best selling success with a $300.00 web site and word of mouth. Nothing has been spent on marketing.[4]
The title of the book is a metaphor for “the house you build out of your own pain”, as Young explained in a telephone interview.[5] He also states to radio host talk show Drew Marshall, that The Shack "is a metaphor for the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged...the thing where shame or hurt is centered."[6] The plot is based on a man, Mackenzie Philips, who has lost his youngest daughter to tragic events. The book is a journey of questioning & discovery and revolves around Mackenzie's conversations with God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and his process of healing. These conversations cover many topics, but emphasize relationships. The three persons of the Trinity appear to Mackenzie as if they were three distinct persons, two human-like, and one, the representative of The Holy Spirit, as less physical. Mackenzie sees, and hears, how the Three love one another, and is told that this is a model for God-human relationships.
External links
- The Shack Official Website
- The Shack book review in Christianity magazine
- A Progressive Evangelical Critique by Rowland Croucher
- Critical Review of The Shack by Tim Challies
References
- ^ Rich, Motoko (2008-06-24). "Christian Novel Is Surprise Best Seller". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ Aim at 'spiritually interested' sparks 'The Shack' sales USA Today, 2008-04-30
- ^ "Books - Best-Seller Lists - New York Times". Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ "The DREW MARSHALL Show - Listen Now to Previous Shows - 2007". Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ "The DREW MARSHALL Show - Listen Now to Previous Shows - 2008". Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ http://www.relevantmagazine.com/pc_article.php?id=7672
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