The Wounded Prophet: A portrait of Henri J.M. Nouwen

While researching this compelling biography, BBC producer Michael Ford conducted wide-ranging interviews with Noun's friends, colleagues, and family members. . . . Though Nouwen was indeed the generous and loving man many thought he was, he was also never able to find consistent peace in his own life. Tormenting him were profound feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and loneliness. This portrait gives an honest and well-balanced account of Noun's life that . . . investigates his childhood, his family, his sexuality, and his life as a priest and member of the L'Arche Daybreak community in Toronto.

Though the part of this biography that probably garnered the most attention was the matter of fact statement of Nouwen's homosexuality, the greater theme of the biography was his struggle with true intimacy in human relationships. I thought that it there were interesting observations about the myriad extenuating circumstances that made this such a central problem for Nouwen: his role as a priest with its calls to 'self-availability' and celibacy, his fame and the connections that were perceived between himself as authors and his readers, but the loneliness of the distance that his fame interposed, as well as the proper living out of his sexuality within the context of his own vows of celibacy and Roman Catholic teaching. I plan to read show more other biographies of HJM Nouwen, but this was a good start. show less

Great insight into the life of Henri Nouwen. I had no idea of his struggles before reading this biography.

Readers are given the first extensive look into this man who touched so many, not only through his own words but, most powerfully, through the eyes of those around the world who knew Nouwen best. While researching this compelling biography, BBC producer Michael Ford conducted wide-ranging interviews with Nouwen’s friends, colleagues, and family members.

"Ford’s theological training allows him to engage Nouwen’s ideas and evaluate intelligently his place in the theological landscape, and he discusses Nouwen’s character and struggles with compassion and understanding." (Publishers Weekly)

"Wounded Prophet shows Michael Ford himself not only capable in his field of fact-finding and reporting, but well grounded in understanding the terrain of spirituality and adept at maneuvering the complexity, ambiguity, the contradictions and elusiveness, the height and depth to be explored in a single human life. Above all, he displays that most desirable trait to be sought in biographers: total immersion in the subject of his study, complete honesty, and keen sensitivity in handling what belongs show more to another."(Robert Durback, America)

"Ford concentrates on his declared aim of painting a portrait, [and] the book is eloquent, endearing, and convincing. Its brush strokes are both broad and detailed, the personality of its complex subject shining through as the eyes of a good portrait follow the viewer. Those who knew Henri Nouwen will meet him again; those who did not will make the acquaintance of a remarkable man."(Shirley du Boulay, The Tablet) show less

Prachtige biografie van Henri Nouwen, waarin zijn innerlijke strijd op ontroerend wijze is verwoord