The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop’s Wife by Robert Nathan is best known as being the source material for the 1947 film of the same name. I was looking forward to reading this Christmas tale of how an angel comes to the Bishop and assists him in both his personal life and in his desire to raise the money to build a new Cathedral for his parish.

Julia, the Bishop’s wife, has a large capacity for love and unfortunately her remote husband doesn’t have much time for family life. Julia therefore has learned to put all her affection into her young daughter. Henry, the Bishop, actually cares very much for his wife, but has never learned how to express affection and believes that his wife is quite satisfied with how things are. He does however pray for show more assistance in building his longed for cathedral. His prayers are answered and the angel Michael comes to assist him. Michael also has an unlimited capacity for love and he and Julia form a friendship that totters on the edge of romance.

While most of the book is very much like the film, I was surprised that there were large differences as well. The book is far more serious and the author seems to feel that duty, both marital and religious, is far more important that actually enjoying life which gives the book a dark and gloomy feeling. Personally, I prefer the film’s lighter, romantic touch and more sympathetic characters. show less

This Christmas novella is more famous for the film adaptation starring David Niven as the bishop struggling to raise funds to repair his cathedral and Cary Grant as the angel who comes down to earth to support him. While that film is heart-warming and humorous, this book is both rather more earnest and more passionate, with theological discussions between Bishop Henry and the Angel Michael (who is appointed his archdeacon) and between the Bishop and his wife Julia, who feels trapped in a passionless marriage and is tempted into adultery with Michael. I was sorry to see some scenes from the film were not here, such as the ice-skating and the bit where Henry gets stuck in the millionairess's chair and the Angel softens her miserly heart show more by playing a harp tune that reminds her of a youthful romance. So a bit disappointing a read. 3/5 show less