The Song of Bernadette

By: Franz Werfel

Narrated by: Johanna Ward

Considered one of the greatest novels of simple and triumphant religious faith to be published in the 20th century, how the The Song of Bernadette came to be written is an inspirational - even miraculous - story in its own right. In June 1940, famed Austrian author Franz Werfel and his beautiful wife, Alma Mahler, were on a desperate flight across France, seeking to escape certain death at the hands of the Nazi invaders. Franz had written many articles and given many radio speeches denouncing their tyranny. Repeatedly thwarted in their attempts to cross the French border into neutral Spain, they found temporary refuge in the small town of Lourdes, home of the famous shrine where the virtuous Bernadette received visions of the Virgin Mary and where millions came in faith to seek a miracle. During his time in Lourdes, Werfel became fascinated with Bernadette's story, and then, as his faith grew, he began to visit the sacred grotto every day, taking the waters and swearing an oath that, should he and his wife be granted escape from the Nazis, he would write the story of Bernadette for all the world to savor. Franz's prayers were answered. In a harrowing ascent over the Pyrenees mountains, he and Alma fled to Spain and then on to America. Once there Franz kept his promise. He wrote The Song of Bernadette, his masterpiece, a beautiful fusion of faith and craft.

©1942 by Viking Penguin, Inc. (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Great performance of a moving work

What made the experience of listening to The Song of Bernadette the most enjoyable?

I recently watched the movie for the first time since I was a boy, and it moved me to wonder about the book on which the film was based. This recording proved a welcome companion on my morning commute, as the narration is outstanding. Johanna Ward manages to convey a remarkable array of characters consistently and convincingly, and brings off the French passages flawlessly. I wish the author had devoted less space to the political intrigues that followed upon Bernadette's visions, but even those portions flow smoothly because of the fine narration. If you want an objective account of the events at Lourdes, this isn't the best source; but as a dramatic re-telling of their impact and significance, this book is hard to beat.

Saint Bernadette and her family come to life!

A moving tribute to this reluctant saint, excellently performed by Ms. Ward. It was a pleasure to listen.

Fabulous story, wonderfully read!

The author tells a brilliantly written work based on the true life story of Bernadette of Lourdes. The reader was magnificent as well.

THE LADY CHOOSES.

How fitting that The Lady chose such a scholarly author to present to the world the great beauty and dignity of the lofty soul of an almost illiterate peasant girl. If one such as he, (Franz Werfel), and a non-Catholic to boot, could paint such a convincing picture, how could the Lady's message to the world not get through to all?

I will read this wonderfully inspiring book many, many times.

The Love of Our Lady

A masterpiece of storytelling and lyrical prose. The story of Bernadette and of Lourdes unfolds before the reader vivid with life and grace. A must read for all Catholics and anyone whose mind is open to the possibility that God’s voice might be speaking in the world.

Wonderful story.

Very moving. I did nog know this story. I found my fathers 1942 copy he received for Christmas in the Navy.

My granddaughter brought me water from Lourdes.

Beautiful

A beautiful story, beautifully told. Johanna’s voice is lovely and seems to grow with the story. What a tribute to the Beautiful Lady!!

Excellent

inspiring story, well written, good reader. Franz Werfel left a beautiful gift to Lourdes and Bernadette.

Inspiring and breathtaking

If you could sum up The Song of Bernadette in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, moving and perennial

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Song of Bernadette?

I'd say that you are taken from the very first moment and can't leave it.

Which character – as performed by Johanna Ward – was your favorite?

She performs so well the main characters that it seemed I was watching and hearing them (Bernadette, his father, Sister Maria Therese, Peramal, the bishop, etc)

If you could take any character from The Song of Bernadette out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Apart from Bernardette, monsieur le curée because his great heart and good sense.

Any additional comments?

The fact that Franz Werfel wrote the book as a result of such personal circumstances only adds more amazement to any reader: he not only was faithful to his promise but to his artistic conscience.

Breathtaking!

I love the stories of the saints. This one was so well written and so well read. The story, like all of the stories of the saints, was awesome and breathtaking. It is difficult to express the story of a miracle and this telling was wonderful