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77th out of 118 books
—
12 voters
The Song of Bernadette
This is the classic work that tells the true story surrounding the miraculous visions of St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France in 1858. Werfel, a highly respected anti-Nazi writer from Vienna, became a Jewish refugee who barely escaped death in 1940, and wrote this moving story to fulfill a promise he made to God. While hiding in the little village of Lourdes, Werfel...more
Paperback, 579 pages
Published
October 1st 2006
by Ignatius Press
(first published January 28th 1920)
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For non-Catholics who are interested in religion, miracles are a major question. If they really occur, our world view has to be entirely different than if they do not. Werfel, a Jew, presents two questions for us in his superb novel. First, was Bernadette honest or a fraud? We can never know if she really saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, but Werfel concludes she was totally honest in her belief that she had seen Mary. Second, did the miraculous healings attributed to the spring located at t...more
It was horrible. I am from northern Germany, so no Catholicism for me, no communion, no wonders, no mary-worshipping and stuff. Maybe this was the biggest hindrance for me to be able to like the book. That and sceptic atheism.
There are some interesting figures in it, for example Hyacinthe de Lafite or Lacade, but there is no room in this book for persons other than sick, poor, stupid and pious Bernadette.
Religious belief in miracles is one of the main subjects of the book, but the author (and pe...more
There are some interesting figures in it, for example Hyacinthe de Lafite or Lacade, but there is no room in this book for persons other than sick, poor, stupid and pious Bernadette.
Religious belief in miracles is one of the main subjects of the book, but the author (and pe...more
Sep 21, 2012
Christina
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
listened-to-audiobook,
christian-fiction
The Song of Bernadette tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous who claimed to have visions of Mary, the mother of God in Lourdes, France in 1858.
This story is long and slow. I decided to listen to the audiobook while walking in the mornings and it turned out to be a really good decision. If I had read the book, I would only have been able to read a few pages at a time.
The author was hiding out from the Nazis in Lourdes and states that he made a promise to God to tell the story of Bernadette. Whi...more
This story is long and slow. I decided to listen to the audiobook while walking in the mornings and it turned out to be a really good decision. If I had read the book, I would only have been able to read a few pages at a time.
The author was hiding out from the Nazis in Lourdes and states that he made a promise to God to tell the story of Bernadette. Whi...more
This was my third reading of The Song of Bernardette. Her story fascinated me from early childhood when I discovered we had some trivial details in common - birthday, year of the visions was 100 years before my birth, and my own godmother was named Bernardette. More importantly she herself was a young insignificant girl but worthy of seeing the beautiful lady, whom others deemed to be the Blessed Mother. Despite my cynicism of most things religious, I have never rejected my belief in the power o...more
The author does an amazing job of turning this true story into a novel. While the story of St. Bernadette can tell itself, this book was still enjoyable just to relive the events that transpired in Lourdes and to think about how the personal interaction and behind the scenes events might have occurred. The characters are fully developed and engaging, the conversation is believable, and the author seemed to capture the dynamics of the town. I was slightly disappointed in the actual events at the...more
An old book; I first read it as a child although it is definitely not a children's book. I was fortunate enough to visit the grotto in Lourdes, France, several years ago and it was very, very impressive. Many people believe there is a possibility of a cure if they believe strongly enough. Lourdes is located in the Pyrenee Mountains near the border of France with Spain. The story is very interesting. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical novels. I have read it at least two times.
I had this book on my shelf for a while. I always thought is would be kind of sappy book for children. I was wrong. It was not what I expected at all. It helps to know that the author, Franz Werfel, a Jew from Vienna, was on the run from the Nazis and found temporary shelter in Lourdes. He was clearly moved by the story of Bernadette and her visions. But what makes the book so interesting is that so many of the characters express their doubts and disgust and what they saw was a spectacle, includ...more
I had no idea that the author was Jewish. He was a refugee hiding out in Lourdes and was so inspired and moved by St Bernadette that he promised God that he would write her story if he survived the war. It's a beautifully and incredibly moving story. It's so much better than the movie. I'm glad I read it.
beautifully written. It's interesting that Werfel, a Jew, wrote this book about an important Catholic event. Whether Bernadette was schizophrenic or a true mystic is still open to question, but she was fervent in her belief and knew that the apparations were going to end, and went on an lived a fairly normal life as a nun the rest of her life. The arguments for her blessedness and sainhood are well-laid out even though the book is not entirely fact. Werfel's craft is very well shown in many chap...more
I first read this historical novel about St. Bernadette when I was 8 years old, and I was completely enthralled.
I've known of the pilgrimage destination of Lourdes for many years and of the poor young girl that our Blessed Mother appeared to in 1858, but this book really revealed the skepticism and pure animosity toward the truth of the events of that spring. This is a melancholy story that moves on for another 20 years after those initial visions and subsequent miraculous healing.
I'm not Roman Catholic, but I found this tale of a young girl who saw visions of The Virgin and who had difficulty convincing the adults around her that she was telling the truth very moving. I could identify with the girl's feelings of powerlessness as I was a young teen when I read it. Coulnd't put it down.
Even at 14, I chalked up her experience to religion-induced hysteria, but I still empathized with her inability to get a sincere hearing.
Even at 14, I chalked up her experience to religion-induced hysteria, but I still empathized with her inability to get a sincere hearing.
Amazing! I can't recommend it enough. You have probably heard of the Miracles at Lordes.. well this is the book to learn about it. Part of what is so intriguing is how much of the same mentality we have today as with those that lived 150 years ago... how we would all react if something like this happened. There is a lot of ignorance about the Catholic faith's veneration of Mary. This could clear up some confusion. This is not fiction.
I really loved hearing about her life .... I also love the story about the author and why he wrote this book. Being Jewish, the only reference to Bernadette I've heard is Leonard Cohen's SONG OF BERNADETTE which is totally beautiful.
This book started off slow but then really picked up. Well worth reading!
Sometimes there is more to life than events that can be explained by science. Does a miracle occur to young somewhat dim witted farm girl? Where does greatness originate?
I read this in High School after seeing the movie. See the movie instead of reading the book!
stunning. the story stays with you long afterwards.
Wow! I want to travel to Lourdes so badly now!
May 12, 2013
Eunice Greene
marked it as to-read
view 1 comment
May 11, 2013
John Meech
marked it as to-read
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Czech-born poet, playwright, and novelist, whose central themes were religious faith, heroism, and human brotherhood. Franz Werfel's best-known works include The Forty Days of Musa Dagh (1933), a classic historical novel that portrays Armenian resistance to the Turks, and The Song of Bernadette (1941). The latter book had its start when Werfel, a Jew escaping the Nazis, found solace in the pilgrim...more
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