Technically, didn’t finish reading every word, every page, but finished with it all the same. It was utilized as a small group reading study with pastoral colleagues. While the initial conversations and interactions between text and peers was engaging, I found it became uninteresting and I completely lost the thread of the narrative. I did not participate in the sessions related to Older Brother and Father. I couldn’t “see” what Nouwen saw in the painting.
Perhaps it’s me, as I’ve grown older; I used to appreciate Nouwen (and still might for his other writings), but this one left me just “meh,” and could have been okay never reading it.

4.5

It's good to start by saying that Henri Nouwen was a Catholic priest so this book reflects that. While I haven't read much on Catholicism or books written by Catholics, I could see his way of writing creatively, even when it comes to theology, thus, to me, an evangelical, this book read more as a reflection of Rembrandt's painting than of the story of the prodigal son. The title is very misleading because there's too little about the prodigal and too much of the painting of Rembrandt. Leaving that aside, here is a quote that I still find puzzling even after having read the book: "Jesus is the younger son without being rebellious, he is the older son without being resentful, in everything He is obedient to the Father without being His slave, He is everything the Father says but this does not make Him His servant. He does everything the Father sends Him to do." You can form your own opinion. He will talk about not just one prodigal, his views are interesting and unique, let me give him that. While I may not agree with some of his conclusions or the way he gets there, it was still fascinating to see that Biblical story through other lenses. I probably would not have chosen to read this book but a friend who attends my church said it's her favourite book. I get it now as she likes novels a lot more and I prefer more deeper theology and less fiction.

Short read... Read it in a few hours. Insightful. Some rambling But overall I gained some insights from the parable that I never thought about before. I think it's important to read Christian books from all faiths to broaden our testimony.

I wish the book wasn't so heavily based off the painting.

Really good insights into a well-worn story. Very good in helping me craft a sermon on the topic.