The Return of the Prodigal Son:
A Story of Homecoming
Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author)
Published by Image Books / Doubleday Publishing
1st Image Books Edition Published April 1994

My review: 5 out of 5 stars In short, The Return of the Prodigal Son is a masterpiece. Throughout the thin volume, Nouwen weaves together Jesus’ profound parable (Luke 15:11-32), the painting it inspired, the life of the genius who painted it (Rembrandt), faithful theology, and his own journey with the painting and with Christ. Nouwen’s commitment to mine every last jewel from such a well known text encourages and inspires us to search the scriptures with the same passion and hunger. Nouwen’s deep personal reflections, authenticity, and honesty invite the same from the reader. As he sees himself and God in every character of the story, so do we.

From the publisher: The beloved spiritual writer meditates on the parable of the prodigal son’s return — a powerful drama of fatherhood, filial duty, rivalry, and anger between brothers — and its enduring lessons for Christianity.