The Return of the Prodigal Son

ByHenri J. M. Nouwen

Release Date: 1994-03-01
Genre: Christianity

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 124 Ratings

Description

With over a million copies sold, this classic work is essential reading for all who ask, “Where has my struggle led me?”

Recommended reading for Hallow’s 2026 Lent Pray40 Community Prayer Challenge

A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on an unforgettable spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell.

As Nouwen reflects on Rembrandt’s painting in light of his own life journey, he evokes a powerful drama of the classic parable in a rich, captivating way that is sure to reverberate in the hearts of readers. Nouwen probes the several movements of the parable: the younger son’s return, the father’s restoration of sonship, the elder son’s resentfulness, and the father’s compassion. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation will be newly discovered by all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger. The challenge to love as God loves, and to be loved as God’s beloved, will be seen as the ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time, and is here represented with a vigor and power fresh for our times.

Reviews

Prodigal son
3
By Bibi Cakes1
Kind of boring
A Ray of Light
5
By @josephS
Nouwen’s words (and Rembrant’s art) cast a much needed ray of light into a world increasingly darkened by grown up children (often in seats of power) masquerading as adults.

Social media tells us to show off our younger brother lostness or cast shame on others from our place of elder brother self-righteousness.

Nouwen and Rembrant remind us of Scripture’s call to seek the joy of fatherhood above the fleeting pleasure of wayward childhood.

May we all look down at our aging hands and discover that they’ve been given to us to “stretch out toward all who suffer.”

I’m deeply grateful for this book, for Rembrant’s art and for Nouwen’s calling.
Excellent
5
By Kingdrippin
It's one I've added to my list of only 4 other "must reads".
A Painting and a Parable
5
By MarieJaq
The renowned artist, Rembrandt, produced a magnificent and moving painting depicting the parable of the return of the prodigal son, with the son kneeling in the road in rags, the father bending compassionately over him, and the older brother standing rigidly to the side. Noted theologian Henri Nouwen was inspired by a reproduction of the painting to finally view the original and to write a book that is about you, me and all of us – each of us the son, the brother and the father as we make our way on our spiritual journeys. An essential read for all who seek to deepen their faith and understanding of this familiar story.