Doctor Eric Ransahoff was not a physically attractive man. He was small, frail appearing, and had bushy hair that made his head look too large for his body. However at the New York medical Center he was not measured by the size of his body or his physical attractiveness, he was measured by his medical and surgical skills from which he had become a legend during his surgical residency, saving patients that no one else could save. His residency had now ended and he was compelled to make the decision as to the direction of his career. Ransahoff had achieved the cold steel calm required of a cardiothoracic surgeon from his father, also a surgeon, who taught him to, love nothing alive and then death or tragedy will never hurt you. This had worked well until now but the loneliness of this emotionless existance was eating away at his foundation of steel. The words of his brothers, both physicians resounded in his mind: you must love mankind to be a great physician and you must give that love in order to be loved. Because of this he turned down an invitation to join the most prestigious surgical practice in New York City . Instead he was going to a small town in Georgia that had been without a doctor for five years. Upon his arrival in Georgia Ransahoff felt the warmth of his patients appreciation and he returned that warmth with true emotions of his own. After only a short time he knew his brothers were correct. However his personal loneliness remained. This changed abruptly however when he met a stunningly beautiful girl. Her beauty was so great that it shone through the ragged clothing and the uncultured rawness of poverty and illiteracy. Dr. Ransahoff was hopelessly hooked. What followed was turmoil, a mixture of lust, exploitation, betrayal, and murder.

With over a million copies sold, this classic work is essential reading for all who ask, “Where has my struggle led me?” A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on an unforgettable spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell. As Nouwen reflects on Rembrandt’s painting in light of his own life journey, he evokes a powerful drama of the classic parable in a rich, captivating way that is sure to reverberate in the hearts of readers. Nouwen probes the several movements of the parable: the younger son’s return, the father’s restoration of sonship, the elder son’s resentfulness, and the father’s compassion. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation will be newly discovered by all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger. The challenge to love as God loves, and to be loved as God’s beloved, will be seen as the ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time, and is here represented with a vigor and power fresh for our times.