The Song of Bernadette
by Franz Werfel
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Book Summary Information
Author: Franz WerfelBrand: Ignatius Press
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-01
ISBN: 1586171712
Number of pages: 600
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Book Reviews of The Song of Bernadette
Book Review: Charming and beautifully written
Summary: 5 Stars
It doesn't matter whether or not you believe the Virgin Mary really appeared to the 14 year old Basque peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Franz Wertel has created a wonderfully atmospheric biographical novel that captures the spirit and ambiance of Lourdes and the hard realities of peasant life with perfection. The jealousies, spites, and kindnesses of mankind anywhere are distilled here along with the calm wake of Bernadette herself, especially impressive as contrasted with the somewhat hysterical affect Bernadette's visions had on people from the Emperor Napoleon, the clergy, and the intellectual elite down to the lowliest souls.
Bernadette saw, she believed and she created an avalanche all by herself. Faith can move mountains. Against all odds, this unlettered peasant girl made Lourdes the greatest shrine in Christendom outside the Vatican. The spirit is greater than the human condition. That is what Franz Werfel is telling us and showing us via this beautiful novel.
Franz Werfel- sophisticated, educated and a Jew- seems to have an almost mythical relationship with Bernadette. You feel he understands her, believes in her, supports her and most of all, understands her rather elusive personality.Werfel is about as far from Bernadette as you can get, seemingly. But they are spiritually in rapport even though living a century apart.
Werfel, born in Prague, was living in Austria when the Germans overran that country in 1938. He and his wife escaped to France, in Lourdes, where Werfel found spiritual solace at the shrine of our Lady. When the Nazis occupied France and started deporting German Jews to concentration camps, Werfel vowed that if he escaped he would write the story of Bernadette. Escape he did, to California, and write he did, this splendid novel you hold in your hands.
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