The Prodigal: A Tale of Two Brothers

by Bradley Booth

Ever been to Calah?

Goodbye, gurgling Jabbok. Goodbye, gentle hills of Gilead. Goodbye, ancestral traditions. Goodbye, curses of Levi. Hello, fun and games-fame and fortune-license and luxury. I'm a rich man now! I'll find my fortune in Calah.

Bradley Booth adds flesh and bones-and amazing depth of detail-to Jesus' parable of the prodigal son. He weaves a riveting story of greed, jealousy, anguish, and, finally, transforming love.

Ishmael and Levi are brothers, worlds apart in their aspirations, who cartwheel down opposite tracks in life. Alternating chapters chronicle the zigs and zags of their fortunes in the Middle East. Both men learn valuable lessons about life and the need for family. Both come to see that no one can remain an island, and that sooner or later the choices we make will return to haunt us.

When at last the prodigal Ishmael admits failure in his bid for freedom and independence, he realizes that he must come home to reconcile with his family. But now he has to contend with vindictive Levi. The stay at home brother has become a prosperous community leader who now holds title to everything of significance in the family.

The Prodigal demonstrates the hazards of stubborn pride and independence. Without God and family, the world is not enough. In the end the smart thing is to return to the loving arms we left behind.

To Calah and back. The trip will change you.

207 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Men who previously lacked a definite sense of purpose can often look back on a single experience that altered the course of their lives.

For some, it is the love of a woman. For others, it is the death of one.

In the case of Bradley Booth, the combination of both had such a profound effect that it led to him to write.

He lost his fiance to a rare form of leukemia and was advised to seek solace by venting his feeling among others who had suffered a similar tragedy.

Perhaps if he had done so, "I Apologize" would never have been written.

The culmination of five tormented years--during which he blamed himself for not doing more to save her--unleashed emotions that produced his first novel.

Her death and the dreams she once had for the future defined his purpose in life.

As for taking so long to publish the story, when asked, he simply answers, "I Apologize."

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