Flying, Falling, Catching

An Unlikely Story of Finding Freedom

By: Henri J. M. Nouwen, Carolyn Whitney-Brown

Narrated by: BJ Harrison, Karen Gundersen

“Flying, Falling, Catching is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that despite all the perils and sufferings that surround us, with which we often collide, we can find healing, peace, and awe even in the most unusual detours that life offers. A must read.” — Marina Nemat, Author of international best-seller Prisoner of Tehran

""In Carolyn Whitney-Brown's deft hands, Henri’s intentions literally, vividly swing alive. This is a beautiful, moving story about interconnectivity, interdependence, and life's rich, beautiful, complicated pageant. I devoured it in a sitting.” — Lisa Napoli, Author of Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie

Henri Nouwen’s real-life story of his surprising friendship with a traveling trapeze troupe.

What will we do with our lives, and with whom will we do it? In this story of flying and catching, Nouwen invites us all to let go and fly, even when we are afraid of falling.

During the last five years of his life, best-selling spiritual author Henri J. M. Nouwen became close to The Flying Rodleighs, a trapeze troupe in a traveling circus. Like Nouwen’s own life, a trapeze act is full of artistry, exhilarating successes, crushing failures and continual forgiveness. He wrote about his experience in a genre new to him: creative non-fiction.

In Flying, Falling, Catching, Nouwen's colleague and friend Carolyn Whitney-Brown presents his unpublished trapeze writings framed by the true story of his rescue through a hotel window by paramedics during his first heart attack. Readers will meet Nouwen as a spiritual risk taker who was transformed through his engagement with these trapeze artists, as well as his participation in the Civil Rights movement, his life in community with people with intellectual disabilities, his personal growth through friendships during the 1990s AIDS pandemic, and other unexpected encounters.

Integrated with Love and Purpose

This was very well done, more than I ever expected. Details intersect a theme, but in unique stitches, and a thread that re-enters the story in new ways, drawing together a community that engaged Nouwen. I love the vulnerability and humanity that is revealed about Henri. When I see my spiritual guide as a friend with quirks and doubts, my faith is deepened. Lovely story about love.

A story of honesty, belonging, freedom, intimacy, risk and friendship

Spoke to my heart, Spirit and soul. Always looked forward to listening to more. A life well lived and a life I would want to aspire to live like.

Favorite

This Beautiful work might be my favorite of Henri Nouwen. I believe it speaks to his deepest truest self and I am grateful for Carolyn Whitney Brown bringing it to life

Dragged on and on

The very few memorable lines could fill one paragraph . After listening to this I have decided there's far too many other books and authors I long to read and ponder, than to bother with the couple I had in my Wish list by Henri Nouwen. I deleted them, deleted this laborious story as well.