Anam Cara (Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition)

A Book of Celtic Wisdom

By: John O'Donohue, President Higgins - foreword

Narrated by: Pat O'Donohue

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A special twenty-fifth anniversary audio edition of Celtic spirituality and mysticism by beloved poet and philosopher John O’Donohue includes a new introduction by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins; an afterword by the late author’s brother, Pat O’Donohue; and insightful material from O’Donohue’s circle of close friends.

In this revered work, John O’Donohue excavates themes of friendship, belonging, solitude, creativity, and the imagination, among many others. Widely recognized for bringing Celtic spirituality into modern dialogue, his unique insights from the ancient world speak with urgency for our need to rediscover the thresholds of the soul.

With lyrical wisdom and fluency, O’Donohue encourages pathways of discovery to come home to the natural rhythm in ourselves in sacred connection with one another and the landscapes we inhabit. This timeless collection nourishes the heart and elevates the spirit.

Narrated by Pat O’Donohue

Reading and music produced and Recorded in Ireland at North Atlantic Sound (studio)
by Davy Spillane.

Music Performance by Davy Spillane

Composition/arrangement Copyright Davy Spillane, 2022.

©2022 John O'Donohue (P)2022 Sounds True

Critic reviews

“John O’Donohue’s unique voice and heart and his exquisitely elevating poetic imagination are immortalized in these pages, saturated as they are with his lyrical and contagious love of life and love for people and nature. Even reading it at random is profoundly healing and affirming, especially in hard moments.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Meditation is Not What You Think and the bestselling classic, Wherever You Go, There You Are

"In this twenty-fifth anniversary edition, you will find John a 'soul friend' on your own journey through life, offering support and solace, clarity, and consciousness—expanding narratives that invite you to experience relationships with people, nature, and even your inner world in new ways that nurture well-being and resilience in these challenging times.” — Daniel J. Siegel, MD, bestselling author, neuropsychiatrist

"The moment I read Anam Cara...I felt like I had found a kindred spirit. I love everything John has written. It comes from such a deep, profound, wise, and insightful space." — Maria Shriver, author, advocate, and journalist

Full of Grace

John O’Donahue’s Anam Cara is a message of tender love encouraging the reader to drop the confines of the outer world. He does this by sharing his sacred self through the lens of his Celtic spirituality.

Being of Irish heritage I felt so akin to his spiritual concepts about the whole person including rejecting shame about sensuality and taking the sacred approach of rejoicing in the gift of our divine bodies.

A lovely tapestry of grace woven with threads of tenderness, love, peace, honesty, and heart that comforts the human spirit through our journey in life and into the experience of death.

Sounded like I was listening to John O’Donohue himself

Narration was great. Wisdom delivered with warmth. The content of the book itself is very beautiful, and the narrator, Pat O’Donohue, the author’s brother, did the book great justice. Beautiful book, beautifully delivered.

A Masterpiece of Spirituality

Every sentence is dripping with wisdom. I expect to return to this book many times.

Beautiful read

This was a beautiful book full of wisdom. The poetry is deeply spiritual. This is my first book by the author, but will definitely will not be my last.

This Came at Exactly the Right Time

I have been a great fan of John O’Donohue, and I had a feeling I needed this book. My husband has esophageal cancer, and has had other health issues for two years. I have never experienced anything like what we are going through and this book was like a balm. His pure, gentle wisdom has given me so much and although I listened to the audio book, I have ordered the hardback and know I will wear it out, referring to it often. The narration was excellent and Pat’s voice was like a lullaby for me. Thank you - this will be my bible.

Good companion in sorrow and joy

I had to accustom to the Irish brogue, but then enjoyed its quiet lilt.

Excerpts from Anam Cara were sent to me when my husband died. The words resonated and I sought to hear the whole work.

I have now been introduced to the masterful writer and expansive thinker that is John O’Donohue. I invite others to take the journey with Anam Cara, a book others point to as seminal to John O’Donohue’s thinking.

One of my favorite books of all time

As a British native living in the USA a lot of people ask me about my the UK and the culture and history… this is when I always mention this book, it explains the Celtic culture and belief system perfectly, just like my nanny used to tell me

excellent, soul nourishing

what a great book. reminders to listen a feel the voice of the soul and honor time spent with our sacred inner world. revitalizing.

Astounding

I found myself
transported to the great grove and sitting with the story-weavers. Beautiful. Going in for another listen right now.

One of the best books I’ve ever listened to

Deeply wise, easy to understand and natural. No matter who you are, or at what stage in life, Anam Cara can help you grow.