The Return of the Prodigal Son

By: Henri J. M. Nouwen

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

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.

Critic reviews

"The Return of the Prodigal Son is a beautiful book, as beautiful in the simple clarity of its wisdom as in the terrible beauty of the transformation to which it calls us.”—New Oxford Review

Rembrandt

Nothing it was so good I had never realized how such a religious man was Rembrandt

Incredible, thought provoking!

A must read. Enlightening and inspiring. You’ll never see the parable the same, after the his reading. The Father is far better than you thought.

I need to grow up!

To not be used for training of AIs. Art history and spiritual growth. Growing into my Father example and becoming a Man like Jesus.

The struggle and the joy!

Excellent appraisal and insight to our life in our striving to Christ. Amazing insight regarding both the prodigal son an the elder brother. Nouwen is so humble.

the Father

never have I ever even considered the journey to becoming the Father. I've thought of my role as the young son, my role as the older son, but never have I even considered the Father until this book.

thank you