Author William Paul Young said he wasn’t trying to write a best-seller when he wrote “The Shack.” He merely wrote the story for his six children, with no intention of it being published, according to the author’s Web site.
Young will speak tonight as part of the Ministers Week activities sponsored by Brite Divinity School.
“The Shack,” which was on The New York Times Best-Seller List for nearly a year, is a story that offers a unique perspective on the nature of God, especially in the midst of suffering, according to Brite’s Web site.
Kelsey Milbourn, a sophomore musical theatre major, said she thought the book was phenomenal.
“It was perfectly suspenseful and fantastical without proving or disproving the validity of the wild, shocking story,” she said.
The book follows the story of a man, Mack Philips, whose daughter was abducted on a family vacation, and evidence that she might have been murdered is found in an abandoned shack, according to a summary on Young’s Web site. Four years later, Philips receives a note from God inviting him to the shack where the evidence was found. His trip to the shack and what he discovers changes his life.
On Young’s Web site, author David Gregory described “The Shack” as “an exceptional piece of writing that ushers you directly into the heart and nature of God in the midst of agonizing human suffering.”
Junior religion and social work major Erin Taylor said “The Shack” gave her a new understanding of God’s love and compassion.
“Through an unbearable pain, it showed the presence of God in different ways and gave hope and comfort to those who have been through similar situations,” Taylor said.
Young’s publicist said the author was not available for an interview before the event.
What: “The Shack: Is God Really This Good?” with author William Paul Young, followed by a book signing
When: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: Ed Landreth Auditorium
Admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for faculty and staff with a TCU ID. University and Brite students can get in free with student ID.
Registration is required. Register online at brite.tcu.edu/shack.