Kindle
$11.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$9.58
Buy new:
$9.58
List Price: $17.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $8.41 (47%)
FREE delivery April 26 - 29. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$9.58 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$9.58
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
YourOnlineBookstore
Ships from
YourOnlineBookstore
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Brennan Manning
Follow
Greg Garrett
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story Paperback – October 28, 2013

by Brennan Manning (Author), Greg Garrett (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 807 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$9.58","priceAmount":9.58,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"58","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YeNHneOPgYo5ZbSCwCln0AvEPcaolgVFeSZsXqaORERPltSbLE%2BezTpNYtpaGfxkc7TU0Ey8rbru3%2Bd84W0AbfSbNnBwuvcdOo9xRDX9n8Y4dyXC7llFGXrzs7y182cAyRRf%2B762klhuOsYlKPXt0V5qUqE3Vx3i8J7YM9ryXUs80dopvoWcDQVBCfrzrB%2BW","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

From the inspirational author of The Ragamuffin Gospel and the critically acclaimed novelist of Free Bird comes a powerful contemporary retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Jack Chisholm is "the people's pastor." He leads a devoted and growing megachurch, has several best-selling books, and a memorable slogan, "We have got to do better." Jack knows how to preach, and he understands how to chastise people into performing. What he doesn't know is anything about grace.
This year, when it comes time for the Christmas sermon, the congregation at Grace Cathedral will look to the pulpit, and Jack will not be there. Of course, they will have seen plenty of him already--on the news.
After an evening of debauchery that leads to an affair with his beautiful assistant, Jack Chisholm finds himself deserted with chilling swiftness. The church elders remove him from his own pulpit. His publisher withholds the royalties from his books. Worst of all, his wife disappears with their eight-year-old daughter.
But just as Jack is hitting bottom, hopeless and penniless, drinking his way to oblivion, who should appear but his long-estranged father, imploring his prodigal son: "Come home."
A true companion piece to Brennan Manning's The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Prodigalillustrates the power of grace through the story of a broken man who finally saw Jesus not because he preached his greatest sermon or wrote his most powerful book, but because he failed miserably. Jack Chisholm lost everything--his church, his family, his respect, and his old way of believing--but he found grace. It's the same grace that Brennan Manning devoted his life to sharing: profound in nature and coming from a God who loves us just as we are, and not as we should be.
"A wonderfully written story that is as entertaining as it is thought provoking." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
". . . the consummate final tale. What they have created is the Ragamuffin at his best, full of hope, full of love, and finally, full of belief in the goodness of God." --Phyllis Tickle, founding editor, Religion Department, Publishers Weekly
"Brennan Manning's last work continues the powerful message of grace and forgiveness that has transformed so many lives. The Prodigal will transform you too." --Mark Batterson, New York Times best-selling author of The Circle Maker
  Report an issue with this product or seller
Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Zondervan
  4. Publication date
    October 28, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.38 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0310339006
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0310339007
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story
$11.04
Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 26
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by PTP Flash Deals and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
$10.99
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus
$11.05
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Cowritten by the late Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel) and Garrett (Free Bird), this novel is more than an updated version of a well-known Bible story. The authors take the essence of the prodigal son saga and put it in the context of a fresh fictional tale that is both relevant and realistic. The story's characters are human and given to failures, but also filled with compassion and a deep desire to do the right thing. Jack Chandler has been doing the right thing for a long time, but for all the wrong reasons. As senior pastor and founder of a Seattle megachurch, Jack's good deeds are headline-making news. When he flounders, his mistakes are equally visible. As he lands at the bottom of a bottle, the last person Jack expects to come to his rescue is his long-estranged father. Jack's road to recovery and restoration is not an easy, forgive-and-forget path, but a rollercoaster ride through others' misconceptions and trepidations. Many readers will relate to Jack's struggle to reconcile relationships and redeem himself. A wonderfully written story that is as entertaining as it is thought provoking. Agency: Alive Communications. (Nov.)

From Booklist

The Prodigal is the much anticipated novel by the late best-selling spiritual writer Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel, 2000) and theologian and author Garrett. Manning’s signature honesty, wit, and compassion are evident in this redemptive tale, a modern take on the prodigal son. Jack Chisolm knows what it’s like to live the good life. He’s one of America’s best-known pastors and has a beautiful family, wealth, and the conviction that God is on his side. After a fall from grace, however, Jack finds himself with nothing, dragged back to Texas by the father he hasn’t spoken to in a decade. As Jack gets back on his feet, he rediscovers what it means to live a life of faith. He also comes to recognize the power of a father’s love and the importance of community. Manning and Garrett do a wonderful job bringing to life the downfalls of a superficial form of contemporary Christianity, while dramatizing struggles readers can easily relate to. This story of love found and grace extended will bring hope to everyone who reads it. --Carolyn Richard

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan (October 28, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0310339006
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310339007
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 807 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Brennan Manning

    Brennan Manning

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Brennan Manning is a writer and speaker who leads spiritual retreats for people of all ages and backgrounds. He is the author of more than ten books, including Abba's Child , Ruthless Trust , The Ragamuffin Gospel , and Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes. A resident of New Orleans, he travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad to share the good news of the unconditional love of God.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Greg Garrett

    Greg Garrett

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Greg Garrett is the critically-acclaimed author of over two dozen books of fiction and nonfiction. Like his literary heroes James Baldwin and Marilynne Robinson, Greg moves fluidly from fiction to nonfiction exploring the big human questions.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
807 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Awaken the church
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Christians
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
This was a heart warming book. So many older Christians are calling for fire and brimstone sermons. This is a heartwarming story showing one Pastors realization of God's true love, mercy and grace. I would wish that all Christians would read this and get the realization themselves now, rather than have to fall out of the grace of "men" as this Pastor did to find the true love of God.
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sherry
5.0 out of 5 stars This was truly an excellent story and it is just too bad there won't ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
This was truly an excellent story and it is just too bad there won't be more novels by this author as he is now dead. It is the story of a pastor who became very full of himself and then made a serious mistake and was caught at it. He is about to be thrown drunk from his hotel room into the street when his father comes for him. He and his father haven't spoken in years but his father knew they needed each other and found him just before he would have been farther humiliated. This is a love story between a father and son as they learn to care for each other again and this young preacher learns what is really important.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Q's mom.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
Interesting, fast read. The bottom line is that people can change. Jack's shift to focusing on.others even when his life seems to be falling apart led to dramatic change in him.
Helpful
 Report
Carol Chase Tolbert
5.0 out of 5 stars throughly enjoyed this
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
I almost didn’t finish the book because I have been so discouraged by the Christian teachings that I grew up with, that I raised my children in. I was afraid to read more garbage. Thankfully, I pushed through. Grace, hope and love was this story and that is all by the grace of God, not anyone’s actions.
I told my children over and over that God loves them ‘no matter what’ and that they should never forget that. I have apologized many times for choices and mistakes I’ve made over my lifetime and in spite of my many failings, my children are amazing human beings. By the incredible grace of God.
This book brings hope to my heart. Thank you.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
DrSmurf
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring - loved by everyone in my book club!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
Yes, the author is the same Brennan Manning from the Ragamuffin Gospel, & the man who so inspired the amazing Rich Mullins. (In fact, this is one of his last works before going on to be with the Lord.) The back cover drew me, but I didn’t anticipate loving this story so much. I certainly didn’t expect it to reinforce my current situation. God has drawn me out of my cocoon & into fellowship with real people, many who believe they don’t want anything to do with Jesus Christ or His self-righteous followers. Yes, we’re often viewed that way, sometimes rightly so, but we'll never help anyone by behaving like a Pharisee. If we want to make an impact for Christ, it's essential & necessary to find a balance between maintaining Christian fellowship & befriending the lost in love rather than discounting them in judgment. This story is about Jack Chisholm who had success in the world & supposedly in his ministry, but pride always comes before a fall, in Jack’s case, a huge, life-shattering one. He lost everything. At least it seems that way in the beginning. BUT GOD always has another plan. Maybe the path He had in mind for us all along, but we got in the way. Don’t read this story if you’re stuck in a pious place. If you're hungry for more, yearning for something authentic, & ready to meet the challenge of ministering to those who really need Jesus; this book’s for you. You’ll be moved but not to earn God’s favor. You’ll want to make some big payments towards that debt of love we all owe Christ, but again, not because you’re striving to deserve something. Rather, due to the startling & wonderful realization that we can never gain what is already ours. As you read & bask anew in the beautiful freedom of God’s grace, you won’t be able to keep from sharing the good news with a world in desperate need.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ruth Simon
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of losing yourself, only to find Home
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
A beautiful story of self-promotion that leads to self-destruction and the unwarranted, unearned and undeserved Grace that welcomes and draws us home by the very Father we have wronged.
More than modern day version of the Prodigal Son, it is a reflection of the amazing Love of our Holy Father has for us.
We can often be tempted to believe that we have nothing in common with the prodigal son. We have not turned our back on God and lived a life full of "wild living". Yet even in our attempts at being holy, when we try to earn God's favor by our outward actions, our hearts are still hardened to our own worthiness.
This book reminds us that we are undeserving of God's love and that He still freely gives it to us. His Grace still pursues and waits for us to come clean in regards to our sin so that He may welcome us Home. The Father's greatest desire is to be with us, to love us. In spite of us!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kathleen Trail
5.0 out of 5 stars A measure of grace
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
I came to this book without any real knowledge of Brendan Manning's work, but it feels like his essential message of redemption and love meld perfectly with the story of Jack Chisholm. Manning and Garrett's words and themes pull you into a gripping tale of a man who has fallen into the depths of a darkness he fears he can't escape.

Not only is this book a well-crafted work of fiction and a wonderful read, it's a salve to anyone – everyone, actually – who has ever needed forgiveness. There is grace in these words and grace in their message. A beautiful book....
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sharon Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Day Prodigal
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
This one is a Keeper! I was mesmerized throughout. A beautiful story of grace and redemption. I thought I knew how it was going to end, and fortunately it did not. It ended the way it should have. A pastor fallen from grace. A rescue. Typical family conflicts. He falls again. Some love him. Others hate him. Broken marriage.

If I said more, I would risk spoiling it for you, and I don't want to do that. I want you to be as uplifted as I was by this beautiful tale of a modern day prodigal son. I'll probably read it again someday, which is unusual for me.

Brennan Manning did a beautiful job with this one.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

arctophile
5.0 out of 5 stars Real and really good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great story, well written that speaks truth we all need to hear about the love and Grace and mercy of a Father who welcomes all prodigals.
Report
Cornelia Smele
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
He is an fantastic writer
Report
Ken Johns
5.0 out of 5 stars A Religious Book that makes you really think about forgiveness!
Reviewed in Germany on June 27, 2014
Verified Purchase
An unbelievably good novel based on the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son. Not only does this novel bring facts forward that many will have not previously understood, but it is enlightening and thought provoking.
Report
Anniemac
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s all about Grace
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is about redemption. It’s discovering that in the midst of the glorious mess there is a God who gets his hands dirty and joins us in the dirt, cleans us up and sets us off again. There is constant graceful, faithful forgiveness in the arms of a Father who never left, never abandoned and was always waiting for us to turn around and see him there running towards us.
Report
Jimmy Mallord
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
Typical Brennan Manning, what more can you say?!?
Report