The Prodigal

A Ragamuffin Story

By: Brennan Manning, Greg Garrett

Narrated by: Daniel Butler

From the inspirational author of The Ragamuffin Gospel comes a powerful contemporary retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Jack Chisholm is 'the people's pastor.' He leads a devoted and growing mega church, has several best-selling books, and a memorable slogan, 'We have got to do better.' Jack knows how to preach, and he understands how to chastise people into performing. What he doesn't know is anything about grace. This year, when it comes time for the Christmas sermon, the congregation at Grace Cathedral will look to the pulpit, and Jack will not be there. Of course, they will have seen plenty of him already - on the news.

After an evening of debauchery that leads to an affair with his beautiful assistant, Jack Chisholm finds himself deserted with chilling swiftness. The church elders remove him from his own pulpit. His publisher withholds the royalties from his books. Worst of all, his wife disappears with their eight-year-old daughter. But just as Jack is hitting bottom, hopeless and penniless, drinking his way to oblivion, who should appear but his long-estranged father, imploring his prodigal son: 'Come home.'

A true companion piece to The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Prodigal illustrates the power of grace through the story of a broken man who finally saw Jesus not because he preached his greatest sermon or wrote his most powerful book, but because he failed miserably. Jack Chisholm lost everything - his church, his family, his respect, and his old way of believing - but he found grace. It's the same grace that Brennan Manning devoted his life to sharing: profound in nature and coming from a God who loves us just as we are, and not as we should be.

©2013 Zondervan (P)2013 Zondervan

Critic reviews

"A wonderfully written story that is as entertaining as it is thought provoking." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great story

I really enjoyed the wag the story was told in such detail. It was descriptive and easy to listen to.

An enlightening story

Great story about the prodigal son and I love the character that was representative of Brennan Manning and his heart

fantastic!

I loved every minute of this book. i could not put it down! the reader dod a phenomenal job, and I listened for hours straight.

Great Narrator

Where does The Prodigal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was up there in the top five of all the audiobooks I've listened to. The narrator may have been the very top narrator I've listened to. He did a great job with different voices. And the voice of the main character was just so soothing I could listen to it forever.
The book itself was well done also. It was a modern retelling of the Prodigal son. And it also helped us look at Christian celebrity and shame. It was well worth my time

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack's father was my favorite character. I don't want to give anything away but I just love how he responded to his son during the scandal

What does Daniel Butler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Oh my goodness he was an excellent narrator! I love the different voices that he used and there was just something about his voice that was so soothing that I could just listen to it forever

Who was the most memorable character of The Prodigal and why?

Well I already said that Jack's father was my favorite character. The next would probably be Father Frank. I love how he met people where they were. Even if it was the local bar. And he was so open about his own failings.

Excellent

Good message and worth a listen. Grace and mercy are needed and it is a story for my life

Well written, well presented.

I loved this story. Listened to the audible version and I didn't want to ever stop it. The Prodigal isn't flashy or too deep. Actually it is a simple story, but it is a much needed message. It is a real, relevant, and relational story of forgiveness, love, renewal, and a quintessential picture of God's grace.

Great rendition of the Prodigal Son.

Brennan Manning is one of my favorite authors. A good friend to Rich Mullins and a recovering alcoholic turned pastor. This book is worth the listening to.

Great story…left me wanting more

I love Manning’s work and was curious to hear this story after reading all his other books. It was a great allegory and sucks you in from the beginning. Loved the performance. The only critique I have is that it seemed to end suddenly- would have loved to see a little more resolution.

Worth a listen...

A wonderful story about God's grace, and forgiveness, in a re-telling of the Prodigal Son story. Certainly provides some perspective on our modern fascination with celebrity, even in the Church. I could listen to the narrator's voice all day long...

For the Love

If you struggle with the love of God, this is a story you need to hear!