Anh Ha Ha itibaren Kalinovac, Serbia
Tough one. I dreaded reading this book. I didn't want to explore the feeling of a father who had lost his daughter to a serial killer. What I found, though, was I was detached from the emotional aspect of it because, quite frankly, I don't think the author is a very good story teller. I found myself shifting into editor's mode, second guessing his structure and frustrated over missed opportunities (come on, the girl's death can in no way be blamed on her father? Don't you think guilt would be a primary obstacle to ultimate healing? The cops are warm and fuzzy? His wife is perfect, understanding and compassionate?) In short it missed all the messiness that being human brings to a story. That said, the book really took off for me in the discussions and exploration of the nature of God and the Holy Trinity. What rang truest to me was Mack's self conviction when it was pointed out he didn't tell his wife he was returning to The Shack ... thus, denying her the chance of a powerful encounter with God ... and pointing out his inability to handle her emotions. Such potential, but so many missed opportunities. This story could have been so much more powerful in the hands of a more skilled writer/story teller.