Review of The Shack (2017) by Shy A — 03 Mar 2017

This often visually stunning movie seemed well cast, but it suffered from sound problems, as if someone told the entire cast to whisper when they weren't mumbling--especially the lead character, the father. Very unfortunate for a story that depends so much on dialogue to convey what's going on. The movie doesn't approach the novel. Do read it if you haven't. It will take your breath away. Here's something I posted earlier about it.

True story.

During the reading of this book I went to L.A. to visit 2 of my brothers, one downtown and the other out in Rancho Cucamonga, where I went first. The morning I left to take the train downtown to see my other brother, I said to myself, "Use me for your purposes today, Lord"--not something I say often by any means, but that day it felt right.

At the train station, I board the first car and take a seat, realizing as the train moves that I'm riding backward. Startled, I say this out loud. Across the aisle a slim older black man sits at the window, facing in the forward direction. He motions to the empty aisle seat beside him and says I can sit there. I hesitate for a moment then go, The Shack in my hand.

We exchange pleasantries then when I pick up the book he asks what I'm reading. As I describe the story he looks pained and grows silent. Then he starts telling me about his life and how his own family tragedy almost destroyed him. His story is identical to that in The Shack in its basics. I realize this can't be a coincidence, give him the book and say, "God put us beside each other so I could give you this." He thanks me and takes the book, saying approximately this, "I was once in a train accident and it left me with a fear of the first car. I never ride in it. Until now, I couldn't understand why I got on it today. Now I know.".

Can't wait to see the movie made from this beautiful novel.