I had never heard of Jean Vanier before reading this book and found his story very inspirational. This book was a very easy read, even though I found the writing a bit bland at times and in need of some polishing. A quick google search brings up an entirely different portrait of this man and I would have liked some of these issues regarding his misconduct to be addressed in this book and I think they should be addressed if this book is ever revised. Overall, this book is a decent if incomplete look into this man's extraordinary life.

The events of the past several years have made it impossible to judge this book in context. Well written, but perhaps it ought now to be updated?

I grabbed this because I was genuinely interested in Vanier's life, and what drove him to make such a radical change in the lives of those considered mentally disabled, and from there springboard into changing the lives of so many. For so long those considered different mentally were locked away. Vanier flipped the script and changed the lives of two men simply by offering something new to them - care and kindness. A powerful story of a unique man, who's simple decision eventually spread across five continents.

I am unable to give this book a positive review after the most recent new regarding Vanier. This book was well-written, If incomplete..

I was very disappointed in this book. Written by a long-time friend of Vanier (we are given no other information about her) it's hagiography, not biography. I felt as if I was reading the dossier for the cause for his canonization. While he was no doubt a wonderful and saintly man, the man portrayed in this book has no faults. Not only does he have no faults, the difficulties he encounters in his life also seem to be pretty rare.

I really wanted to read a good, honest biography of this great man who only recently passed away. This book is not it. Especially in the light of the most recent revelations about his history of sexual abuse, it would have been a wonderful thing if Constant had even attempted to write biuolgraphy instead f hagiography.

Fascinating, inspirating story about a man who dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities find community and room to grow. Well worth reading even if you don't know much about disability studies.

Jean Vanier: Portrait of a Free Man by Anne-Sophie Constant is a well-written and informative biography of a selfless man who made such a difference in countless lives. Jean Vanier, at the age of thirteen, joined the military and became an officer. during his eight years there. After obtaining a PhD, he became an ethics lecturer at the University of Toronto. In 1964, at the age of thirty-six, the young Canadian established a home for two mentally disabled men in Trosly, France. The cottage, without running water or electricity was named L'Arche (Ark). The reputation of the small endeavour quickly spread throughout the world. It was a simple concept: offer shelter, compassion and protection to the mentally disabled and look after them with the aid of volunteer caregivers. During his lifetime, one hundred and fifty L'Arche homes were opened on five continents. Jean Vanier, a man from a prominent family, gave away all of his possessions in order to help people who were in desperate need of care. His work brought awareness of the plight of the mentally disabled and their families and changed the way they were understood. A humble man with a simple plan changed their world. Thank you to Plough Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I was living in a community with adults with developmental disabilities, one of my colleagues told me he had been inspired to take up this work by the writings of Jean Vanier, founder of the international L’Arche movement. I was intrigued, because I had never heard of the man or the movement, and I wanted to learn more.

So I read Becoming Human, as an introduction to Vanier’s philosophy. In this brief book, he presents ideas about the human condition, our experience of loneliness and belonging, captivity and freedom, and the difficult but necessary path to forgiveness. Behind every word is woven his experience of living together with the so-called “disabled,” who have been his most radiant teachers of what it means to be human.

This experience is not often explicitly described, and given my interest in this realm specifically, I found that somewhat disappointing. When Vanier talked about how one or another of the residents of L’Arche had been transformed by love, I wanted more details. What were the day-to-day practices, what were the steps of the journey?

But that is not really what the book is about. More a description of general principles than of particular examples (though some powerful ones are given), it’s full of gentle, timeless wisdom that deserves to be slowly pondered in relation to one’s own life. Thus is the fruit of the spirit developed, in patient dedication to the way of self-knowledge, and Vanier was clearly a humble but very dedicated servant of this impulse.

I still wanted to know more about L’Arche and its founder, so I was delighted when the opportunity came to review a new publication, Jean Vanier: Portrait of a Free Man, fresh off the press from Plough Publishing House. This biographical work by a longtime friend of Vanier’s has been translated from the 2014 French edition and updated for the English version. It’s about as up-to-the minute as such as book can be, as it concludes with an epilogue written in January, 2019, and Vanier died just a few months later.

The beginning of the story goes back a full century, though, with Vanier’s father Georges and his baptism-by-fire in the First World War. His heroism and ensuing life as a diplomat — as the Canadian ambassador to France, among other things — indelibly shaped the life of his young family, including the third child, Jean. A childhood spent in the public eye, moving around with no settled home, with parents strongly committed to moral and civic causes, was an unusual and in many ways not easy upbringing.

There are more surprising twists and turns to the story, which you may discover if you read the book for yourself — finding out how this boy from a privileged background chose to share his life with the poorest of the poor, the ones most excluded and shunned by society: the intellectually disabled. In the process he found wealth unknown to those who pursue merely worldly success; and even more remarkably, was able to share it with many others who joined or merely heard about his community.

His strong Catholic faith, which he shared with his parents, had much to do with it. Vanier was committed to following Christ, and he found that his way led into this form of poverty. But it was not a way of penitence and sorrow, nor of narrow sectarian religion, but a gateway into joy, happiness, and the abundance of love that embraces all faiths. This is what he found when he spontaneously decided to move into a dilapidated house with two disabled men, to create a home together with them rather than to found an institution. This impulse of joy is what continues to mark the L’Arche movement, which has spread so amazingly worldwide from that one small household, to this day.

It’s a beautiful story, and I found it moving and inspiring. My only quibble, once more, is that I wanted more specific details. I know from personal experience that it is not easy to create such a community, and to keep it going through the tempests caused by our human failings, however much one may believe that we are all rooted in the spirit of love. How did they manage? What are the practices, not only the principles, that support such a movement? What were Jean’s personal trials, suggested but never thoroughly explored?

But again, that’s not really what this book is about. As the subtitle tells us, it’s a portrait — really just a sketch, as that is all that can be given in less than 150 pages. It’s not enough to convey all that I would like to know, but sufficient to give an impression of a remarkable man and his amazing journey through life.

The wisdom I most appreciate as I grow older is not found in the evolving of great thoughts and mind-expanding innovation; it’s found in the expression of kindness, of the compassionate heart that brings new life into a deadened world by offering a space where the other person can become him- or herself. This wisdom is in its essence so simple, so basic, that we can easily overlook and dismiss it, as we do the “simple” folk who walk unseen in our midst. But at times there appears a person who becomes its representative in such a way that we can clearly perceive its healing power.

Such a man, as this book convincingly portrays him, was Jean Vanier. Even if we are not among the thousands who were directly affected by his work, who experienced him face-to-face, we can be glad to know that such a person existed, and try to learn from his example.

“Jean Vanier, Portrait of a Free Man” is an inspiring book. It is about the fascinating life of Jean Vanier (September 10, 1928 – May 7, 2019) a Canadian philosopher and humanitarian who founded networks of communities which house and advocate for people living with intellectual disabilities.

From 1964, after discovering the terrible living conditions that psychiatric patients had to endure in asylums in France, Jean Vanier started living with a small group of people with intellectual disabilities who he drew back from psychiatric hospitals. It was the beginning of the L’Arche, a network of communities where both people with and without disabilities and their caregivers live together. This way of dealing with those people has radically transformed the understanding of society regarding mental illnesses and mental disabilities in the world.

I have known about the L'Arche communities but not much about the founder and his background. “Jean Vanier, Portrait of a Free Man” is a well-documented book which filled this gap.

I highly recommend this book.

Wow! There are some people that you read about and think about how little you have done with your own life to help others. Jean Vanier came from a famous and wealthy family and had the compassion to create a place for two mentally disabled men to live that he didn't even know well. Who can say they would do the same? From there, he created homes for disabled people and volunteers to live. I was very humbled reading this, as it is amazing at how much he accomplished.

Jean Vanier, who died recently, was the founder of the L’Arche communities, where adults with intellectual disabilities live alongside those without. There are today 154 such communities in 38 countries. This is an excellent and thoroughly researched biography of Vanier, and an inspirational account of a remarkable man. It brings him alive in all his complexity, and I found the book a fascinating and powerful read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Plough House Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

A truly inspirational story of a man who devoted his life to helping others. The late Jean Vanier was the fourth child in a family of five born to former Canadian Governor General Georges Vanier and his wife Pauline Archer. A Navy man, a philosopher, a theologian and a humanitarian, Jean Vanier is most well known for founding L'Arche in 1964, an international community for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them. Presently there are 147 L'Arche communities spread over five continents.

Anne Sophie Constant takes readers from Vanier's upbringing at home in Canada and abroad and carries us forward into his latter years. Jean Vanier spent a great portion of his life (1964-2019) advocating that people with disabilities are teachers and not a burden on their family

Now if I have a few quibbles, it's more to do with the writing. The book is translated and ASC loves her quotes and occasionally there seems to be more of a whirlwind jump of ideas rather than a steady flow.

Honestly though it's the story of the man that sticks with me now.


Goodreads review published 25/06/19
Expected publication. 04 /08/19

Portrait of a Free Man

Who is Jean Vanier:

Jean Vanier is the founder of L'Arche communities, where a small number of people with and without intellectual disabilities live together in a spirit of conviviality and sharing. This is an expensive biography devoted to him by Anne-Sophie Constant and a nice presentation of a man out of the ordinary. Reading this book, one inevitably feels the friendship that united them …..

The pen of Anne Sophie Constant is crystal clear she paints a portrait of a hero to all people. A man who lived to serve those whom the society rejected: the disabled and those plagued with deformity that would send us running. This is a very religious book that emphasis on how much of the gospel is lived by.

Mr. Vanier worked as a Canadian navy officer and professor before turning to charity work and in 1964 he founded L’Arche and the charity now has 154 communities in 38 countries. Ms. Constant tells us how he managed to reach so many people and travelled the world to encourage dialogue across religions. He was a teacher and moral leader who also helped found a group called Faith and Light now composed of 1500 communities in 83 countries. This is extensive documentation on his life and achievements. On the dark side, L’Arche was not exempt from damaging incidents of abuse in the past. The founder took fast action to expel the abusers and today there is no mention of such incident.

While reading this book I had chills. Right or wrong it brought back memories of communes and sects that were the rage in the 60, 70 and 80 where a charismatic leader lured floc of people to their compound, bringing a great amount of money and free help by the followers. Jean Vanier was like an apostle where he went people floc to his side but the difference is Jean was a leader who grew up in a faith-filled Catholic family and discovered the treasure hidden in those who are intellectually disabled and wanted to help. That was his mission and he held to it till is death. Jean Vanier was a hero to many and loved around the world for his devotion.

Jean Vanier died in Paris, France, May 7th 2019 at age 90 he will be remembered as a pioneer who improved the lives of so many people.

I didn’t know of this extraordinary but simple man and less about his achievements. I had to Google his name and his organisation to know more. Too curious to see if L’arche had residences in my hometown and it does…simple residences that perfectly blend in neighborhoods and are run by caring and loving caregivers.

This book will last in my mind for a long time….well-done Ms. Constant.

Before I started reading this biography I knew nothing about either Jean Vanier or the L'Arche Community, which Jean founded. I love reading about interesting people and I learning something new about the world, so the information posted about this book got my attention; the book kept it. The author wrote in a very conversational way I found engaging. As for Vanier, it was clear from an early age - - 12 - - when he decided to leave his Catholic Canadian family to attend a Protestant Naval Academy in England, that he was searching for his true purpose and special pathway in life.

Starting with his naval training and continuing throughout his life, Varnier's spiritual pathway involved the intertwining of three elements; a desire for prayer, an attraction to the poor, and a hunger for community. Born into a family of privilege, Vanier stays rooted in the family's strong foundation of faith, but turns away from a life of ease to help people with developmental disabilities.

I highly recommend this book. I thank Plough Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and write my honest review..

This book tells the story of a man I had never heard of before this reading. However, it is the story of a man who impacted the world greatly. So great was his impact that, in 1998, Jean Vanier was ranked first on a list of the hundred most important Canadians of all time.

Jean Vanier was born into a privileged family. Yet he chose to walk away from privilege and into his purpose – to be a part of transforming the lives of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities. Part of that transformation involved helping the parents to understand and recognize the potential of these children.

Jean Vanier’s identified this entrance into his purpose as “a spiritual progression” that was influenced by family and loved ones as well as significant encounters. The details of how he arrives into his purpose are discussed in detail during this chronicle of his life.

This is an excellent read. Anyone reading this book will see that greatness or success is not always based on major events experienced in life. Instead, even the slightest occurrences will influence a person’s life decisions greatly and result in major impacts for those around them - something that needs to be stressed more often today.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book that was provided by the publisher through Net Galley. However, the thoughts and opinions presented here are my own.

I have known about the L'Arche communities for some time, but only the most basic knowledge. I knew nothing about the founder, Jean Vanier.

This book is a gem in giving one a look at who Jean Vanier is (was,) how his life formed him to become the man he was and how he allowed God the freedom to work in him and lead him. Having finished the book I regret I never met this man.

Reading his words brought me to tears at times. The author provided a glimpse of a truly special human being, who even now, can make you feel worthwhile and loved, even though you never knew him. His accomplishments provided so much for so many. A life well lived. A good and faithful servant.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful read!

Great read, but not for everyone; challenging, to really see meaning and purpose as God does and not be influenced or affected by the surrounding worlds standards. A much needed example of tru4 love in action without conditions.

We live in a world that makes a fuss over men who run around chasing each other and throwing balls for a living. We make idols of surgically-enhanced actors or actresses in superhero constumes or singers who leave their pants at home when they perform. We love spectacle. We love drama. We love obnoxious, outrageous behavior. But, much of the time, the true heroes are those who live out of the limelight, serving their fellow humans every day with whatever resources they have.

The book Jean Vanier: Portrait of a Free Man by Anne-Sophie Constant is the story of a true hero. Jean Vanier was a hero to all the people whose lives he touched through his love, kindness, and practical care. He was a man who quietly lived to serve people whom society would call “the least of these”. He saw each person inside the disability or deformity that would send most of us running in the opposite direction. He saw their worth, and even, their beauty.

Jean was not planning to spend his adult life in this way: he had been in the navy, then lived a very religious life of meditation and prayer, and, for a short time, as a professor.

What changed him was a visit to a care home for those with intellectual disabilities and his interactions with two of the men there. “I heard this mute cry…a cry inviting me to be their friend.” After that visit, he couldn’t stop thinking about those people. So he began to visit the places where disabled people were kept and he was appalled by the miserable conditions in which they lived.

Jean decided to purchase a small house and invite some of the disabled men to live with him. At this point he had no financial plan to support them, but acted out of the impulse of love. And just by being willing to take the first step and reach out to those in need, the rest of what was needed followed. People volunteered to serve, a board of directors was formed, Jean chose the name “L’Arche”, and they began a life of community, of family, in this little home in Trosley in the North of France.

What began as a way to serve the needs of a handful of people with disabilities flourished into a worldwide movement. Today there are 154 L’Arche communities worldwide on 5 continents. When I visited the L’Arche website, with all those beautiful faces, my respect grew even more for Jean Vanier and his life of love and service.

I highly recommend this book, which will be published on August 4th, to those who want to read about people who really made a difference in the world and whose legacy continues to change lives after they’ve passed on. Jean Vanier’s life made a difference to many and will continue to do so for years to come.

5* star because I knew little about Jean Vanier and this book helped me to understand him and what he did.
A book for of food for thought.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a bio about Jean Vanier who founded L'Arche community. My priest at the catholic church I attend took a year leave of absense once and worked at one of these communities in Ontario. He mentions it sometimes in his Homilies at mass that it was a rewarding experience for him. It is a group home setting for mentally handicap and intellectually disabled persons. I was glad to get the opportunity to read this book.