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The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming (Paperback)

by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author) "Rembrandt was close to his death when he painted his Prodigal Son..." (more)
Key Phrases: been fattening, returning son, God's Kingdom, Son of God, Kingdom of Heaven

4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (105 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming is a spiritual adventure story. A chance encounter with a poster depicting a detail of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son set in motion a chain of events that enabled Nouwen to redefine and claim his vocation late in his life. In this book, which interweaves elements of art history, memoir, Midrash, and self-help, Nouwen brings the parable to life with empathic analyses of each character. Nouwen's absorption in the story (and the painting) is so complete that the father's challenge to love the son, and the son's challenge to receive that love, become Nouwen's own. And Nouwen's writing is so clear and his tone is so appealingly frank and humble that readers--no matter how far from home--will find hope for themselves in the prodigal peace Nouwen ultimately achieves. --Michael Joseph Gross

Product Description
Seeing a reproduction of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on a long spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell.

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Product Details

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Image Books / Doubleday Publishing Group (March 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385473079
ISBN-13: 978-0385473071
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (105 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,977 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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#1 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Religious
#1 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( N ) > Nouwen, Henri
#2 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Catholicism > Inspirational

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Rembrandt was close to his death when he painted his Prodigal Son. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
been fattening, returning son

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
God's Kingdom, Son of God, Kingdom of Heaven

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 14 books:

Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia by Suzanne Massie in Front Matter
Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life by Henri J. M. Nouwen in Front Matter
Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke (Combined edition) by Kenneth E. Bailey in Back Matter
The Genesee Diary by Henri Nouwen in Front Matter
Love Is by Criswell Freeman on page 76

See all 14 books this book cites

100 books cite this book:

Walking With Henri Nouwen: A Reflective Journey by Robert Waldron on 11 pages
Remembering Henri: The Life And Legacy of Henri Nouwen by Gerald S. Twomey on 11 pages
Seeds of Hope by Robert Durback on 7 pages
Becoming Who You Are: Insights on the True Self from Thomas Merton and Other Saints (Christian Classics) by James Martin on 5 pages
A Retreat With Henri Nouwen: Reclaiming Our Humanity (Retreat With-- Series) by Robert Durback on 5 pages

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The Passion of the Western Mind by Richard Tarnas

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	90% buy the item featured on this page: The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming 4.8 out of 5 stars (105) $10.88
	4% buy Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World 4.8 out of 5 stars (48) $10.17
	2% buy The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society 4.3 out of 5 stars (23) $9.37
	2% buy The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom 4.3 out of 5 stars (44) $9.37

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Customer Reviews

105 Reviews

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (105 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

443 of 457 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God we need this, October 10, 2000

By A Customer

God's love is unconditional is real that is the message. I loved the book. I would also recommend An Encounter With A Prophet for the same message

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48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Return of the Prodigal Son, May 2, 2000

By	danny twork (Thomas Neslon Publishers, Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

Henri Nouwen has a way of making us look into the places that we would rather not look. When we are drawn into this study of the Rembrant painting we find a darkness that leads us to an illumination of our own lives. In this book it is with great joy that we discover love and forgiveness as well as hope. This book is a must read for all Christians. In going to the place that I did not want to go I found the place that I needed to go. This is the best spiritual book that I have read in years. I wish we had published this book.

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51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book; a simple but profound message, December 6, 2000

By	William Krischke (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What an incredible book. What a simple message, deeply explored and wonderfully exposited.

Henri Nouwen is a master of reflection, study, self-knowledge, and of writing beautiful, profound books. This book is amazing, perhaps life-changing. It has spoken to me in profound and deep ways, and I am deeply thankful for it.

Nouwen's main message, I think, is the unconditional, unfailing, all-surpassing love of the Father, this love that meets all needs easily. He puts himself in the place of the younger son, the older son, and the father, and considers this love - and the things that keep us from fully experiencing it - in all of these places, places that ring universal.

The media of realization here is the parable of course, but also Rembrandt's painting, Return of the Prodigal Son. It is profoundly helpful, fun, and provoking to consider this representation of the story and let it work spiritually in us, as it has in Father Henri. This book has more than opened my heart to the love of my Father, it has given me a new love for art, and a side education on Rembrandt and one of his most famous paintings.

In short, this is another truly rare, truly wonderful book from a modern mystic. Nouwen will be remembered, I hope, alongside Augustine, Lewis, and others I have yet to discover but now believe exist.

A sample:

"Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says: "You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests"-the same voice that gave life to the first Adam and spoke to Jesus, the second Adam; the same voice that speaks to all children of God and sets them free to live in the midst of a dark world while remaining in the light. I have heard that voice. It has spoken to me in the past and continues to speak to me now. It is the never-interrupted voice of love speaking from eternity and giving life and love whenever it is heard. When I hear that voice, I know that I am home with God and have nothing to fear. As the Beloved of my heavenly Father, "I can walk in the valley of darkness: no evil would I fear." As the Beloved, I can confront, console, admonish, and encourage without fear of rejection or need for affirmation. As the Beloved, I can be tortured and killed without ever having to doubt that the love that is given to me is stronger than death. As the Beloved, I am free to live and give life, free also to die while giving life."

If you'd like to discuss this book with me, or recommend others, or just chat, e-mail me at williekrischke@hotmail.com. I'd love to talk with you.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I am the older son too
Nouwen experienced Rembrandt's painting, "The Return of the Prodigal Son" as a catalyst to spiritual growth. Read more

Published 5 days ago by an apt word

5.0 out of 5 stars The Return of the Prodigal Son
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen was a wonderfully spiritual book that spoke to my soul. Read more

Published 15 days ago by Laurie D. Hendron

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ FOR ALL PEOPLE
This book came to me in the best shape and it was so informative without being too intellectual. Found it hard to put down-- I have lent it to a friend who loves both Rembrandt... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Sharon Jane

5.0 out of 5 stars Essence of Nouen
This small book was another lamp in my journey to a Higher Power. Those of us who know that "to search" is the "finding" will truly enjoy this spiritual exercise.

Published 2 months ago by Bill W. Friend

4.0 out of 5 stars rembrant "son" painting in Hermentage
A catholic friend of mine thought it was unusal for Cath the great, of Russia to have a Rembrant painting (the Prodigal Son} in the St Petersburg museum. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Lester D. Kinkade

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, very inspirational
In Rembrandt's portrait is well defined the characters of the three persons that inspire him for this painting of the Prodigal Son.

Published 3 months ago by B. P. Hernandez

4.0 out of 5 stars An indepth and evocative reflection on the story of the prodigal sons and the compassionate father
This book lends itself to the spirit of Lent and serves well as a study resource for this season of healing and repentance. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Donner C. S. Tan

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad edition
The edges of the pages are all of them mismatched. Thit is the reason that make this book a bad election for a gift.

Published 4 months ago by Ricardo Temprano Toranzo

5.0 out of 5 stars Henri Nouwen, are you reading my mind?
Absolutely incredible. I struggle to find the words to describe my experience reading this book. It was as if Henri had broken into my most private thoughts... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Gwen

4.0 out of 5 stars Forgiveness
This book is wonderful for people who feels the need for forgivness of God. If you are walking around with guilty feelings about doing something wrong this book will help you... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Butterfly

› See all 105 customer reviews...

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