Song of Bernadette - Softcover

Werfel, Franz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0583127568 ISBN 13: 9780583127561

Publisher: Christian Classics

Synopsis

[Library Edition Audiobook CD in Vinyl case.]

(Translated by Ludwig Lewisohn)

[Read by Johanna Ward]

The Song of Bernadette is considered one of the greatest novels of simple and triumphant religious faith to be published in the twentieth century. How the book came to be written is itself 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.

About this title

About the Author

FRANZ WERFEL (1890-1945) was a Czech-born poet, playwright, and novelist. His writing focused on religion, heroism, and human brotherhood, as seen in the popular novel, The Song of Bernadette.

From AudioFile

Werfel, an Austrian Jew, wrote this historical novel about a Catholic saint to commemorate his narrow escape from the Nazis via Lourdes. It recounts events surrounding the 1858 visions there of the Holy Virgin encountered by the asthmatic 14-year-old named in the title. It is a sincere but worldly book that Johanna Ward reads with equal respect to subject and writer. Thankfully, she plays down the sentiment that alternately blesses and curses Werfel's writing and gives us strong characterizations. Her performance is marred by the limited range of cadences she brings to the narrative. One also hears evidence that editing has eliminated pauses that would have added interest and expressiveness. Nonetheless, the tape is well worth the listen. Y.R. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Christian Classics
• ISBN 10: 0583127568
• ISBN 13: 9780583127561
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English