The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Written by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Narrated by Dan Anderson O.F.M.

 This powerful meditation illuminates the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke's Gospel. Nouwen discovers anew the reality that God's love is unconditional and shares his own spiritual journey with us.

After an exhausting lecture circuit, Nouwen says he felt "anxious, lonely, restless and very needy." When he chanced upon a reproduction of Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, the masterpiece was so powerful that he felt embraced by God's love as if he had "come home." He traveled to see the original painting in Russia and was profoundly inspired by the encounter.  

In this audiobook, Nouwen shares his own experience as the wayward son as well as the vengeful older brother and the compassionate father. He speaks to all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger, and invites us to homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Franciscan Media
• Release date: Nov 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781616361495

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932–1996) was the author of The Return of the Prodigal Son and many other bestsellers. He taught at Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame universities before becoming the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak near Toronto, Canada, a community where people with and without intellectual disabilities assist each other and create a home together.

Reviews for The Return of the Prodigal Son

[Bowyn Maddocks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was mainly listening to this for a class but after I’ve finished I feel greatly moved

[Modesta Serrano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s easier to understand from a simple human perspective with all aspects of vivid feelings are from author’s heart

[Adam Burrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a profound meditation on many levels and blessed me deeply during a difficult personal time. I highly recommend a slow, contemplative reading.

[Tatiana Saliba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. This book was like a mirror. It helped me see myself with clarity I couldn't before. It helped me understand my past, and give me a vision of my future. It helped me see how I was stuck between these two worlds and not really living my present moment. I'm so grateful for Nouwen's own inner work, insight, and the effort to share it all.

[Donnie Taylor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome insight and explanation of God's desire to love us.

[fabycamurugy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Henri Nouwen’s books are very inspirational but this is one of my favorites.

[Amro Elgammal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book and narrator definitely recommend it to anyone regardless of their beliefs.

[Grant Gunston · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart searching, deep and insightful. Both encouraging and challenging. I recommend it.

[Troy Yurchak · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful retelling of a well known story that we have become blind to its elegance and forget the awe when discovering the genius of its communication. Combining a interpretation of Rembrandt's painting with the well known words of Jesus to learn to step into the shoes and learn from all the characters in the picture and the parable.