The Prodigal Comes Home: My Story of Failure and God's Story of Redemption [Paperback]

Michael English (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2008

A painfully honest story of human weakness and God's unending forgiveness.

Thirteen years ago, amidst scandal, sin, and shattered lives, Michael English fell from the pinnacle of the Christian music world. In 1994, newspapers around the world blared the headline, "Gospel Singer Named Artist of the Year Turns in His Awards After Confirming He Had an Affair with a Fellow Married Singer." From 1994 to 2002 Michael English's life went from bad to worse. Public shame, divorce, broken relationships, drug addiction, even homelessness. But in 2002, God reached out and rescued Michael from himself. Today Michael is whole again, and in this book he tells his story of redemption.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In May 1994, just a week after receiving four of the Christian music industry's coveted Dove Awards, English's double life came crashing down around him, as he confessed to an extramarital affair with a fellow singer who was pregnant with his child. But being fodder for national headlines was hardly the nadir of the North Carolina musician's fall from grace. After separating from the wife he had married barely out of his teens, he had a string of lovers and embraced the Nashville party scene, eventually becoming dangerously addicted to prescription painkillers like OxyContin. His memoir spares none of the gruesome details of how his addiction damaged or severed important relationships and wrecked his health. After a stint in rehab, English got clean, only to relapse a couple more times before rediscovering the God he'd been singing about all those years. He likens himself to the biblical prodigal son, "who had to get all the way to the absolute bottom before his desperation drove him home." English's loyal fans will enjoy this revealing kiss-and-tell, which often reads like a who's who of gospel music and ends with an encouraging if predictable message about God's forgiveness. (Apr. 10)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595551298
• ISBN-13: 978-1595551290
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Totally unexpected!, September 8, 2007

By 

Paula Powell (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Prodigal Comes Home: My Story of Failure and God's Story of Redemption (Hardcover)

I was surprised and disappointed when I heard the news about Michael English's indescretion and how it affected his own life, family, career and those of several others. For years I wondered what was happening to him and where he was spiritually. I saw this book and ordered it for my husband. We sort of read it together.It was brutally honest and very discriptive. I appreciated that aspect so much because it gave the reader a glimpse into how dangerous and far-reaching sinful decisions can be. He went about as low as a person can go...from the top of a career to the slimey bottom. Thankfully there is a wonderful ending which clearly shows the never-ending love of Christ and that He never gives up on us. I'm thankful he decided to write his story.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing story, April 1, 2007

By 

DSA "DSA" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prodigal Comes Home: My Story of Failure and God's Story of Redemption (Hardcover)

Michael English's autobiography follows his rise in contemporary Christian music, then his spectacular downfall after an affair with a married Christian musician. It's a story of redemption and healing, and is quite a riveting read. However, at 220 pages, the story winds up feeling a bit brief. Certain periods in Michael's life seemed to be glossed over, and even his recording career gets short shrift. If you're looking as to why he chose certain songs or for any insight on the making of his albums, you won't get much information here. Still, it's a compelling story, and he confronts his demons (drug addiction, the affair) with a admirable honesty.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK. Left me wanting., July 7, 2007

By 

Book Junkie (Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prodigal Comes Home: My Story of Failure and God's Story of Redemption (Hardcover)

I was compelled to read this book as someone who has shared my own falls from grace. I have to say that the writing in this book left something to be desired. If you are looking for a spiritual view into the mind of Michael English and why he made choices that he did, I don't think you'll find it here. It is definitely a "factual" look into what happened, but even at the end of the book, there was only a skimmed over narrative of what was spiritually happening in the mind and life of this man. I still have no clear view of his relationship with Jesus and how he is relating to Him today. It felt stoic. It was interesting to hear about his life, but it didn't compel me in any way to turn to Jesus. Maybe that wasn't his intention though. Maybe he just wanted to set the record straight, and if that is the case, it would be okay.

I think there was a deep potential to truly relate and identify with people in similiar circumstances as himself. Unfortunately, I saw only the "actions" of this man, instead of what He feels Jesus Himself was using to draw and push him closer to his prodigal return. I just didn't see much of Jesus in this book, and the population that will relate to this story the most (ME INCLUDED) need to see that spiritual journey, not just what it was like being in rehab. I wanted to hear more about Jesus, and less about his drama.

If you need encouragement or stories of redemption and true grace, I recommend a book like "The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out" by Brennan Manning. Save your money on this one. Not that I am not truly happy for the changes in Michael English's life, I was just left wanting more in regards to his spiritual journey.