A New York Times best-selling author surprised some locals this am at the Rail Trail Cafe in Vernon, BC.  William Paul Young was in Vernon visiting some family and friends on his way to Kelowna where he is presenting over the weekend. 

William Paul Young, a Canadian writer who came to prominence and climbed the Times list when he wrote The Shack, will be at Metro Community’s Metro Hub on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., to discuss his career.

There’s no doubt about it, The Shack by William Paul Young is a brilliant book.  The author recalls the captivating story of a friend who experienced something incredible.  After this friend (named Mack) tragically loses his daughter during a holiday outing, Mack’s life is tortured by what is referred to in the book as his Great Sadness.

The book tells the moving story of how Mack’s sadness is overcome by a miraculous and wonderful experience.  One day, he receives a note that prompts him to visit a shack out in the woodland – a shack that brings back terrible memories for Mack as it is the place where his daughter was cruelly murdered.  After agonizing about the note, Mack makes the decision to revisit the shack, and what he experiences during his visit is out of this world.

Mack’s experience when he returns to The Shack is deeply spiritual.  He has an encounter with the divine that is quite profound and unexpected, and the flow of the plot will keep you turning the pages with anticipation.

This book will be of interest to anyone with spiritual inclinations who marvels at the mystery of existence.  The overarching theme of the book is that beyond the tragedies of this life there is a loving God who can and will (eventually) make sense of it all.

One of Paul's most powerful teachings is about wholeness.  He best describes this by bringing home the point that "the truth of your being (love and joy) must match the way of your being." 

The Shack author will discuss his writings at Kelowna's Metro Hub