The Bishop's Wife

By: Robert Nathan

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

This classic tale is the inspiration behind the beloved Christmas film of the same name starring Cary Grant and Loretta Young.

Bishop Henry Brougham desperately wants to build a great cathedral for his overcrowded parish. The problem is he doesn't know how he will find a capable archdeacon to help fund the project. But that's not his only problem. Though his beautiful wife Julia fulfills her marital duties, there is no passion between them. When the bishop prays for help, it comes in the form of Michael, a handsome, golden-haired angel who takes the position of archdeacon. Michael exudes love, which draws new and unexpected emotions from Julia. However, Michael's limitless capacity for love is stifled by his mortal duties of manipulating money from wealthy and religious patrons.

With the holidays approaching, the bishop senses the mutual attraction between Julia and Michael. Will the purity of a divine love lure Julia away, or will her sense of marital duty prevail?

©1928 Robert Nathan (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The Bishop's Wife- Good read

This book held my interest from start to finish. I expected to learn more about what I assume to be the Mormon religion, though. I kept wondering about what time period this was set in, also. Loved the narrator.

Interesting premise, unsatisfying… but that might be the point.

I took an interest because I enjoyed the movie with Cary Grant. I think the movie is superior.

The book, as I understand it, is about the purity of sexual relations and how we, as Christians, treat it as filthy though it need not be.

I thought the book an interesting premise, albeit I was not satisfied. Probably because Julia was not satisfied. So likely it was on purpose. All the same, I would have rated it higher had it a better resolution.

Anyhow, that’s one man’s opinion.

Angel from heaven boring as...

This is a rare instance in which the movie is better than the book. FAR FAR better.

The characters in this book are stilted and repressed and barely in love, if at all.

It's a tragedy really.

The reader is average but the material wasn't the best to work with

Disappointing that it wasn't anything like one of my most beloved films.

Interesting to read original story...

... and to get a snapshot of the time it was written. But I have to admit that I love the film adaptation more. Thanks for including this in the Audible collection.

Just couldn't get into this one!

Though I enjoyed the movie, I found it difficult to stick with this. The story line was there but way too wordy. Short audible but took a while to finish.

Nothing like the movie

If you're buying this because you love the movie (as I do), prepare to be very disappointed. While the movie focuses on Henry's growth as a husband as well as a bishop, he displays no growth or change in the book. Difficult to say much more without spoilers, but I can say that I didn't care for Julia or the Angel. The writing is good, but the plot is odd and unsatisfying.

Do NOT purchase The Bishops Wife

Terribly let down by this book! What do you see the movie with Carrie Grant you wonder how one ever became the other. I have never been so disappointed in a book from audible before.

Who Said the Book is Always Better than the Movie?

Disjointed moral message. Angel’s behavior creepy even by 1928 standards. Ending abrupt, unsatisfying. The Hollywood script writers turned mediocrity to gold. The author should have watched the movie before writing it. Impossible you say? Well it is a book about miracles!

Disappointing!

The movie version of The Bishop's Wife is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. The book was highly disappointing. Especially the notion of a lustful Angel. The Hollywood writers saved this story and recreated to be a happy holiday treat.