Book Review – Michael English – The Prodigal Comes Home

The Prodigal Comes Home: My Story of Failure and God's Story of Redemption

On Sunday night at approximately 01:23AM, i finished this book for the fifth time. I just couldn’t shake the thought out of my head that i should write a review of this book, so here goes!

It is easy to have the opinion that a christian artist who falls, hits the rock bottom, does the rehab thing, records a new album and writes a book of the same title, is doing the “expected” thing. There is a difference in this case. The Michael English we see now, anchoring the ensemble cast of the Gaither Vocal Band, is a very different person. Renewed, restored and forgiven are just a few of the words that can spring to mind to describe Michael English.

Being 19, i came to know of Michael English through various homecoming videos and YouTube clips. I was amazed by his vocal ability and the way he injected his unique stamp upon songs. He was “cool”! I hesitate to use such a general and almost slang word to describe such a stellar artist, but it just seems fitting. I was told by friends who were older than me that Michael English was at the top of the Gospel music industry before the scandal broke. he was able to  cross over between Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian Music with seemingly nonchalant ease. To fall as a christian in such a public arena is bad enough. To fall from the height Michael English did, well, to many it would have been the end.  i subsequently learned about the other events in Michael’s life that led him down the path of drugs, rehab and battles to get to where he is today.

Perhaps i didnt understand or fully appreciate the context in which Michael began his musical career and how this impacted upon his life.  His family life was complex and challenging. Pushed to excel at singing at such a young age and having a father who put him down, when he needed support, left a massive negative impression upon a young Michael English. This would fester and pick at Michael and with many other issues, culminating in panic attacks. This led to feelings of insecurity and a no sense of fulfillment. It pushed him to be self-centered and in a sense, arrogant. The amazing thing is that now, after all he has been through, Michael English is a humble and genuine human being. If you thought Michael sung with conviction and soul in the past, now its truly real and just listen to him sing the verse on “I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary” to exemplify my point.

The book walks you through his early life and brings you through till around the release of his latest solo album, “The Prodigal Comes Home”.  It is graphic and raw in places, Michael just tells it like it happened and this, i feel, is what provides the book with such a legitimate authenticity, which transcends the normal autobiographical books available today. Michael does not make excuses for what happened in the past, which i feel is very brave. It would maybe have been easier to say, well i messed up….BUT, it was not really my fault. etc etc. Not here.

All in all, it’s a great read. Truly inspirational and a great, great companion to the equally stellar CD of the same name. The best bit of all for me, is the fact that Michael English is now back with the Gaither Vocal Band. I’m very keen on the new projects coming out in January. What i got to see live in concert was great, if you havent caught the Gaither Vocal Band since their reincarnation, just go. You will not be disappointed.

The book is available from here.

Read more about the book and Michael English here.

This is best video i could find of a live GVB performance of this song to show just how good Michael still is. The camera work is rather shaky, but its the audio we are really after. Watch in HQ for the best effect!

Update: Seeing as its coming up to Christmas, are there any other biographies/autobiographies that i should consider purchasing? Preferably Christian and Southern Gospel ones?