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The Wounded Prophet: A portrait of Henri J.M. Nouwen

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Biographies of the departed by their very nature tend to slouch towards irony. Michael Ford's "Wounded Prophet," chronicling the life and struggles of theologian and world-renown spiritual writer Henri Nouwen, is no different. However, what makes this personal history rise, incredibly, above the genre fray is that the irony of Nouwen's life, as reported by Ford, makes his stamp on this world all the more indelible. In this biography, on the Roman Catholic priest and spiritual journalist, the author goes at length to show the late writer could not live up to his books. Nouwen, who died in 1996 at age 64, wrote beautiful, very personal, volumes on spirituality; many consider his impact on modern-day spirituality to rival that of Thomas Merton. However, it turns out the great author fought many demons, just one of which was his hesitancy to come out of the closet as a gay man. Ford's thesis is that Nouwen's many wounds (his inability to endure solitude; his chronic attention-getting) made him a better writer, a better priest; his wounds allowed him to know how to heal the hurt of others. Nouwen wrote passionately from a place of pain most readers could relate to and find solace. "He discovered that it was from the wounded places in himself that he could reach the wounded places in others," Ford writes. After all the biographer suggests, the best theology comes from one who knows. "Trained in psychology and steeped in the riches of Christian spirituality, Nouwen managed to balance his awareness of the dynamics of the human psyche with his openness to the workings of the Spirit," the biographer reports. "Wounded Prophet" in both structure and content is not a classic biography. Ford catalogues his subject in three sections ("Heart"; "Mind"; and "Body") in much the same manner Nouwen formatted his own work. Ford says he wanted the book not to be, "a full-scale biography, an assessment of his literary output, or a systematic theology of his thinking, but an exploration of the person Henri Nouwen as a wounded prophet for our time." Both structure and content succeed wonderfully. A Nouwenian (if there is such a creature), who knows full well the body of the theologian's work will find much treasure here; a neophyte to the man who wrote nearly 40 books will discover a rich background from which to begin an extended reading of his theology. One does not have to know of Nouwen (NOW-un) to find "Wounded Prophet" profitable. Therein lies its magic, perhaps. We see in Nouwen, ourselves and in reading Ford's exploration of this unique spirit we discover even the most vaulted of souls struggle with the human condition. We find out that Nouwen was terribly absentminded and chaotic as he concentrated with all his might on keeping his daily conversations with God on time, and on topic. "His primary need for prayer meant he was completely oblivious of more mundane things. He would dash to the bathroom whenever he was staying and shower without closing the curtain, soaking the whole place in water. Then without looking in the mirror he would shave as quickly as possible so he could get downstairs and be with God (at six in the morning)." For a man who wrote at length about solitude and the need for stillness to hear the Spirit, Nouwen was no contemplative. Ford recounts that during a 45-minute Quaker gathering in silence, Henri was found to be jittery and fidgeting. At one point he was seen to be "checking his watch." At one congregation, where Nouwen preached for the past decade of his life, it was customary to see him run in at the eleventh hour before service and genuflect almost on the fly. The writer was an extremely lonely man who needed constant companionship and reassurance. He often found himself alone at the end of the wild readings and speeches he gave, and wondering where everybody went. Often on the road, it was not uncommon for Nouwen to phone friends, around the world, with little regard for differing time zones. Ford illustrates a man who "expected rapt attention," when he spoke and who became severely agitated when someone in the audience moved or left. As a creative force, Nouwen has few rivals, but that energy, bottled up inside his lanky frame fueled a litany of self-inflicted wounds. All his maladies conspired, says Ford, to give Nouwen doubts about his own identity. Nouwen was gay and in the last few years of his life, talked openly about writing a book on "homosexuality." But it never transpired. To the end he was unsure how his personal sexuality would impact his public ministry. He had a lover, and in Ford's book little is said about him. The biographer does say Nathan Ball declined to give access to that part of Nouwen's life.

This is the most outstanding biography of Henri Nouwen written to date. Ford did a wonderful job in researching Nouwen's life and in being honest about his discoveries.

There was never any question in my own mind of the gifts which Henri Nouwen offered to his readers as a direct result of his own personal human-ness; his own imperfections -- his woundedness. The first biography publised by Nouwen's friend from Holland was extremely poor. It was the perfect little boy grows up to be perfect and prophetic saint story. The author of that work indicates he set aside his personal knoweldge of Nouwen for the sake of greater objectivity. I believe the best thing a friend undertaking a biography can do is tell the story of the person they knew well.

Ford through his interviews truly captures the special nature of Henri Nouwen as a man, a psychologist, a theologian, a priest and writer. He tells the story of the Wounded Henri -- esentially the story Henri told us in his own works -- most especially in From Anguish to Freedom to private journal Nouwen kept while in treatment which he allowed to be published the year he died.

The human Henri, in his own quest for centeredness, in his own flawed manner, wrote of themes which seem somewhat universal to the human condition. Michael Ford captures this Henri and reveals the genesis of much of his gifted writings.

I would recommend this book, Robert Durback's revised "Nou"wen Reader", Nouwen's own "Wounded Healer" and From "Anguish to Freedom" as the four and most amazing portraits of the true Henri.

It's a shame that editors kept him on a tight reign when he wanted to be more honest in his writings later in life. To hear Henri speak of his own struggles is a gift we mostly indirectly get a glimpse of in his books. Michael Ford's work gives a wonderful background of the complete Nouwen.

Henri Nouwen was an inspiration to me throughout most of my adult life. He continues to be so in his death. His woundedness only adds to my appreciation of his willingness to write and to share.

I believe Nouwen will be eventually considered a very significant spiritualist in more years to come as people re-read his works with new eyes and a whole new audience is able to have the opportunity learn about this gifted man in future years.

In his death, whie far too young, Nouwen has much to teach us through his written word and through the post-humous work he leaves us in his writings now being widely re-published.

I am confident that Nouwen is now im the embrace of the Father in Heaven and has finally found true peace and love in his death. He needs to search no longer.

An outstanding, honest and depthful coverage of the life and struggles of a contemporary holy man.

Highly recommeded!

I've found much inspiration from Nouwen's spiritual writings and was hesitant to read his biography, because I didn't want to separate the singer from his songs. Michael Ford did just that; he exposed the humanness of a writer that I thought to be exclusively spiritual. Ford paints a sensitive and colorful portrait of Henri Nouwen. He neither condems his frenetic, unsettling character nor canonizes the personality of an intensely gifted spiritual writer.The biography is a well-written account of a life of conflict that evokes admiration, humour, sympathy, annoyance, and irritation. Ford performs a wonderful balancing act offsetting the faults and flecks with abundant virtues.

Nouwen's personal conflicts are revealed with such spiritual intensity that would have gained approval from The Wounded Prophet. Ford describes his dependence on others for love, recognition, even praise; his restlessness and inability to remain focused, except when writing; his tumultuous anxieties, which eventually led to severe depression; and the perpetual questioning of his sexuality. Ford has introduced me to someone whose company I would not enjoy; loud and animated, always distracted, unable to make a pot of coffee or launder his own shirts. But I also met a man whose life of unbounded love and compassion exceeded anything he wote.

Michael Ford has written a truly spiritual book about a truly spiritual person.

Having read and admired Henri Nouwen's writings for many years, I was reluctant at first to take a dip into Ford's biography. Might the reality of Nouwen's personal struggles diminish the power his writings have for me? Ultimately, however, I find that knowing Nouwen better has only made me all the more appreciative of what he was able to accomplish in his life and and his words.

In reading this book, I don't know who initially exasperated me more -- (A) the author, Michael Ford, for divulging alleged secrets per my beloved mentor not here to defend himself; (B) Fr. Henri Nouwen, for perhaps deliberately hiding things at odds with his well-publicized vows and path or (C) me, for letting my curiosity get the best of me, and opening this provocative book in the first place. This work has forever altered the way I now re-read Fr. N's books, distracting my attention at times from his messages. After having had the time to think over the contents, I feel that Ford may be trusted. He seems to emanate a sincere respect, empathy, for his subject. Ford's insights ultimately were freeing for me: apparently, Fr. N. withheld his true feelings about ideas he himself encouraged, e.g., solitude. I have always felt that solitude has been overplayed by both Eastern and Western paths. My gut instinct was that Fr. N. needed a more balanced sense. As much as I loved him, his books, that I've read since my girlhood, his suggestions and emphasis on solitude, always made me feel a bit guilty for not regarding it as highly as he did. Now to read that he himself truly shared my wariness of its benefits was enlightening! It's sad that this loving person could not be true to his real thoughts, instincts. No matter how disillusioning this book is per Fr. N's inability to assert himself, it still confirms for me that he loved God, and had a burning desire to serve. Ford's book is densely packed with anecdotes -- Fr. N.'s interactions with students, colleagues, family. It was inspiring to see how this priest would humbly apologize, whenever he felt he'd wronged somone. It's sad that the love and compassion he yearned to give others, this beautiful being neglected in major ways to give himself.

Michael Ford does not consider his book on Henri Nouwen a biography as much as a portrait, and I believe he is correct in saying his book is the latter. While it does contain biographical information, it accomplishes far more than that. We get to know Nouwen from his writings, from interviews with colleagues and friends, and from his public speeches. We discover a man of great faith, dedicated to helping others find God in their lives. We also meet a gifted writer and a man of both intelligence and talent. We meet a man who loved others deeply but did not always feel loved. We also meet a man who was authentic. He never wrote at people, but for people, and often had to learn the lessons he was trying to impart. We do not meet a perfect man, but one who had struggles and difficulties throughout his life. He knew what it meant to be loved by God, what was required of one who followed Christ, but never claimed perfection.

Ford's book is an excellent introduction to Nouwen, and will no doubt inspire those who have never read Nouwen's works to do so. It will also be of benefit to those studying Nouwen's writings. Ford does not paint a rosy picture of the man. He writes honestly about his faults and struggles. The only criticism of the book could be he tries to hard to defend Nouwen, who really needs no one to defend him. His writings and witness to faith are all the defense he needs. Still, this can be excused since it is also evident that Ford has great love and respect for the man.

This book seems to heave a big, weary sigh of regret that Nouwen failed, in some way, to benefit from his own giftedness. I would caution the biographer (and those who read this otherwise worthwhile selection) that Nouwen's ability to survive as long as he did, fighting to love, to write, to share, and to be loved--all while maintaining his vows--is proof that his message worked something akin the miraculous in his own life. Other souls with as much innate neediness and wounding as Henri could have easily gravitated into a world of hatred, cynicism, drug-use, alcoholism, promiscuity, and eventual suicide. I've seen it happen many times. We've ALL seen this scenario played out before us in millions of tragic lives. The sheer fact that Henri remained in the realm of the living, and accomplished genuine sharing and love despite his deep wounding, is stunning proof that his God have him good advice, that Henri took this advice, and that its power kept him primarily in a world of Light... against excruciating emotional odds. The glass may look half-empty, but sometimes it's merely half-full, friends. As to the question of whether or not Nouwen was gay, I don't think it matters one bit. What DOES matter is that Nouwen himself never felt the need to make a public, worldwide pronouncement about such an orientation, nor publicly debate how such an orientation may have affected his writing...one way or the other. In light of THAT reality, persons of true integrity might wish to maintain a similarly appropriate silence on that subject, at least in Henri Nouwen's personal regard. This work is yet another prime example of how impossible it is for any biographer to truly get inside the essence and soul of any subject--no matter how penetrating their research or how noble their intentions. That said, the author gives us an otherwise good pass at Henri's life and a look at some of the things that probably made him tick. But steer clear of judging the ultimate state of souls, no matter what the exterior, Michael Ford--especially those as complex as Nouwen's. THAT kind of biography can only be written by God.

This book seems to heave a big, weary sigh of regret that Nouwen failed, in some way, to benefit from his own giftedness. I would caution the biographer (and those who read this otherwise worthwhile selection) that Nouwen's ability to survive as long as he did, fighting to love, to write, to share, and to be loved--all while maintaining his vows--is proof that his message worked something akin the miraculous in his own life. Other souls with as much innate neediness and wounding as Henri could have easily gravitated into a world of hatred, cynicism, drug-use, alcoholism, promiscuity, and eventual suicide. I've seen it happen many times. We've ALL seen this scenario played out before us in millions of tragic lives. The sheer fact that Henri remained in the realm of the living, and accomplished genuine sharing and love despite his deep wounding, is stunning proof that his God gave him good advice, that Henri took this advice, and that its power kept him primarily in a world of Light... against excruciating emotional odds. The glass may look half-empty, but sometimes it's merely half-full, friends. As to the question of whether or not Nouwen was gay, I don't think it matters one bit. What DOES matter is that Nouwen himself never felt the need to make a public, worldwide pronouncement about such an orientation, nor publicly debate how such an orientation may have affected his writing...one way or the other. In light of THAT reality, persons of true integrity might wish to maintain a similarly appropriate silence on that subject, at least in Henri Nouwen's personal regard. This work is yet another prime example of how impossible it is for any biographer to truly get inside the essence and soul of any subject--no matter how penetrating their research or how noble their intentions. That said, the author gives us an otherwise good pass at Henri's life and a look at some of the things that probably made him tick. But steer clear of judging the ultimate state of souls, no matter what the exterior, Michael Ford--especially those as complex as Nouwen's. THAT kind of biography can only be written by God.

Having read all of Henri Nouwens works I was suprised to read that there was so much about him I didn't already know. Ford's illuminating portrait gives me a better appreciation for Nouwen's work.

Michael Ford's biography, as the title clearly implies, will introduce the reader to the brokenness of Henri Nouwen. The author's intent is to give us a clearer picture of the "wounded prophet" by connecting some of the dots left unconnected in Nouwen's writings. No doubt, some readers will be disturbed by what they see. However, the finished portrait is attractive for several reasons. First, Mr. Ford did his homework. His portrait is based upon countless interviews with Nouwen's friends, family members, and colleagues. Although several people appeared to violate Nouwen's privacy in the process, overall the interviews resulted in a deeper understanding of his woundedness. Second, rather than leaving the reader wallowing in Nouwen's brokenness, the author reveals his true understanding of Nouwen's heart as he enables the reader to see the vital relationship between Nouwen's brokenness and his compassion for a broken world. Finally, in an attempt to portray the "physical spirituality" of Nouwen, the author truly blesses his readers with a collection of delightful and touching photographs. In conclusion, the careful reader of this book will be forever grateful to Henri Nouwen for blessing us with a contemporary spirituality of brokenness.