Henri Nouwen: A Restless Seeking for God

by Jurjen Beumer

With the cooperation of Henri Nouwen, Jurjen Beumer spent a decade researching and writing this incisive biography of one of the most renowned spiritual figures of our time. Jurjen Beumer’s seminal work traces the arc of Nouwen’s life from the beginning in Nijkerk, Holland to his final resting place on the outskirts of Toronto, Canada near L'Arche Daybreak, the community of people he loved and served. In this book, the reader meets Nouwen as an always restless seeker who gradually becomes more at home with God and with himself. The reader is exposed to a vital spirituality that can relate both to one’s own life and seeking for wholeness, and to the world at large. Henri Nouwen’s untimely death in 1996 intervened between the completion of Beumer’s manuscript for this book and its publication. To do justice to the legacy of Nouwen’s life Jurjen Beumer has added a posthumous tribute to his friend. Includes an eclectic selection of private photographs spanning Nouwen's life.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Theology, Christian Living

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Lilian Oskam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant om wat meer achtergrond bij Nouwen te hebben. Door middel van verschillende passages uit zijn boeken laat Jurjen een stukje van Nouwens zoektocht zien.

[Nathan Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully well-written and translated biography tracing the life of Henri Nouwen. As a friend, Beumer has special insight into the restlessly seeking life of Nouwen. This was special!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I picked up at the complex library. I've heard much about Henri Nouwen as I did the studying for my own spiritual growth. However, this was a great short biography from one of his personal friends. The first half was easy reading, as it was just the story of his life. The second half of the book was more difficult, because it was a description of Nouwen's beliefs and discussion of Nouwen's writings. I didn't get as much from this, but Beumer does help to recommend certain of Nouwen's books, because he understands how they were the outgrowth of Nouwen's travels in search of his own spirituality. The spiritual beliefs that developed were often repeated or refined in later works.
I've more reading to do.

[Stan Finger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book for some of the deeply personal insights into an author/theologian I have long admired.

[KarinJST · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooie introductie 'achter' de boeken die ik van hem las.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to Christian spirituality, Henri Nouwen has been one of the influential authors. This book gives an engaging account of Nouwen's life and thought. Definitely worth reading.

[Steven Tryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. I have read a lot of Nouwen's work. Beumer helps tie them together. The first section of the book is biographical, the second traces key themes and ideas through the books with extensive quotes. Very well done.

The was the book I needed to be reading now, at the end of a tumultuous 2016 and looking ahead into a challenging 2017.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen profoundly affected my spiritual journey, both in his writings and meeting him at a retreat. This book is not well-written, possibly reflecting the translation from Dutch. The author has quotes from various Nouwen books interspersed with his own thoughts.

[Gendhon]

how ca I read these book? Can I read it in goodreads?