The Shack - by William Young

There are two things that scare the sh*t out of me. Dying and something happening to my children. If you are llike me the premise of this book is going to put you off immediately. The Shack is about a father whose daughter is kidnapped while he attempts to save his other child from drowing . He leaves his daughter unattended for five minutes and then *poof* she's gone. So right there I hate the book. It's my biggest fear realized but I hung in there because my aunt-in-law recommended it and I figured I owed it to her.
As expected, the father immerses himself in the search for his daugher for years until finally the police locate evidence indicating that the girl was murdered at a remote shack. The father must go there to identify her clothes because the body can not be found. The first third of the book is about the disappearance of the girl and the murder. I won't give away too much but it's an easy read and a page turner.

The father, who has a troubled upbringing, which is also detailed earlier in the book, searches for answers. He is summoned to the shack by an annonymous note. Questions abound. Who sent the note? Is it the killer? Could it be God himself (which makes sense in the context of the story)?

He makes a trip to the shack and finds out more about himself and his daughter than he would have had he stayed home and wallowed in his grief.

The rest of the story is heavy into theology and the divinity but it's wrapped in comical and likable characters. My only complaint is that it goes on and on where it could have been much more concise. In some areas it starts to sound like preaching but for what religion?

I read the book in about six hours (during a few days) which indicates it was easy to read and interesting. If you question what happens after you die and can pull yourself through the daughter tragedy, it's a good read, one worth renting at the library.