Willie (William Paul Young)
The author and narrator of the book, who speaks directly to the reader in the Foreword and Afterword. Within the narrative itself, he is a close friend of Mack who lends his car to Mack to return to the shack.
Mack (Mackenzie Allen Phillips)
The main character of the story. Mack is married to Nan and father to five children. The abduction and death of his youngest daughter Missy drives him into depression, and he questions his faith in God. He receives a letter from God asking him to come back to the shack, and when he does so he rediscovers his faith and comes to terms with his daughter's death.
Nan (Nannette A. Samuelson)
Wife of Mack. She is very religious, and calls God Papa because of the close personal connection she feels to him.
Jon
Mack and Nan's eldest son, who is already living outside of the home with his wife when the story begins.
Tyler
Mack and Nan's second-oldest son, who is already living outside of the home and studying for a master's degree when the story begins.
Kate (Katherine)
Mack and Nan's oldest daughter, who lives at home and attends community college. After Missy's disappearance, Kate becomes sullen and withdrawn. Mack eventually realizes that she blames herself for Missy's death.
Josh
Mack and Nan's third son, who lives at home and attends community college. Mack swimming to save Josh from drowning after a canoe flips over is what allows Missy to be abducted.
Missy (Melissa Anne Phillips)
Mack and Nan's youngest child. Missy is six years old when she is abducted and killed by the Little Ladykiller. Missy is quite religious, as her mother has taught her to be.
The Ducettes
Mack, Josh, Kate, and Missy meet the Ducettes while on the camping trip during which Missy is abducted. The family is composed of parents Vickie and Emil, daughters Amber and Emmy, and baby J.J. The families spend time together during the camping trip, and the Ducettes help Mack during the search for Missy directly after her disappearance.
Jesse and Sarah Madison
A Canadian couple Mack's family also spends time with during their camping trip. They also help Mack with the search for Missy.
The Little Ladykiller
Missy's killer. The Little Ladykiller always stalked and abducted young girls like Missy and left behind a ladybug pin. He is eventually caught because of what Mack remembers from his time at the shack.
Papa
This is the name Nan calls God, and the name God uses when Mack is at the shack. At the shack, Papa presents as a black woman, and later as a white-haired man.
Sarayu
Sarayu is the representation of the Holy Ghost when Mack is at the shack. Sarayu presents as an Asian woman who it is sometimes difficult to see clearly. The word sarayu means wind in Sanskrit, and is still used as a name for girls in India.
Jesus
In The Shack, Jesus takes the form of a Middle Eastern man, or a Hebrew, as described in the Bible. Mack does not have a hard time liking or trusting Jesus, as he does with Papa.
Sophia
Mack is sent to briefly meet Sophia during his time at the shack, and she talks to him about his tendency to judge others, including God. Sophia means wisdom in Greek.
Officer Tommy Dalton
The main police officer Mack interacts with during the search for Missy.
Special Agent Samantha Wikowsky
The FBI agent who assists with the search for Missy.
