The Lilies of the Field Mass Market Paperback – July 29, 1988
by William E Barrett (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 249 ratings
4.0 on Goodreads
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Lilies of the Field
Sidney Poitier
4.9 out of 5 stars 2,695
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Publisher : Grand Central Publishing (July 29, 1988)
Language : English
Mass Market Paperback : 128 pages
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 249 ratings
Top reviews from the United States
It's Me
5.0 out of 5 stars GreatReviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
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Very inspirational and entertaining
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Mrs.Norma
5.0 out of 5 stars Short & Sweet
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2022
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The amount of words needed for something to be wonderful Is few to nearly none at all. This book is merely 68 pages, and it is delightful. Homer the main character and Mother Maria the head Nun of a group of “Sisters” have no words lost between them. But somehow while saying little they grow to respect each other very much, and I grew to love them. Perhaps I’m biased, lord knows I have a personal infatuation with anything poetically put “Short and Sweet” ...... but maybe, by some chance, you do too.
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LTJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Your Place
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The amount of words needed for something to be wonderful Is few to nearly none at all. This book is merely 68 pages, and it is delightful. Homer the main character and Mother Maria the head Nun of a group of “Sisters” have no words lost between them. But somehow while saying little they grow to respect each other very much, and I grew to love them. Perhaps I’m biased, lord knows I have a personal infatuation with anything poetically put “Short and Sweet” ...... but maybe, by some chance, you do too.
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LTJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Your Place
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2020
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How can five nuns from Germany with very little English make a young black ex-GI from the Army, Homer Smith, a legend? This is a classic tale of unknown love and faith at first glance on the side of Homer Smith. It is a classic tale of love and faith at first glance on the side of Mother Superior Marie Martha.
Homer saw women working in an area of cultivated land and building a fence. He thought they may need some help. He could earn a few dollars. Instead he built a chapel. No one had ever put so much faith and trust in him. He felt like a man. Continue to read as Homer Smith, alas Schmidt, forge a bond into the Catholic church unknowingly.
Quotes:
One of the privileges of freedom was that a man slept until he felt like rising, with no bugles blowing.
"Faith. It is a word for what is unreasonable. If a man believes in an unreasonable thing, it is faith."
"Those Spanish have a way with beans, he said. "Make them taste like food."
4 people found this helpful
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Sue J. Cauhape
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Accompaniment to the MovieReviewed in the United States on February 11, 2022
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I purchased this book after watching the movie with Sidney Poitier a month ago. First, I was thrilled to find it still in print. I love the artistic cover, but the story itself is profound in its simplicity and as satisfying as watching the movie itself. I plan to keep this for my grandson to use in home school for comparing novels to movies as well as learning so much about human nature.
One person found this helpful
Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars ExcellentReviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021
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Just recently rewatched movie and forgot it was based on a book. It's a short book and an easy read. Movie and book are mostly the same, with the movie being fleshed out a bit more to make it run longer. I just felt the book gave me more insight as the why German nuns were in southwestern desert and a little more into Homer's character as well. Both and and movie are excellent.
One person found this helpful
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LS
4.0 out of 5 stars Flat; missed opportunitesReviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
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Thin, perhaps should be called a book-let; Probably more appropriate for a magazine story. Enjoyed the read, and glad I read it, although finished it in 1 sitting before bed. Characters seemed to drift a bit from chapter to chapter and there were some plot choices that dragged story down, such as - SPOILER ALERT
Verified Purchase
How can five nuns from Germany with very little English make a young black ex-GI from the Army, Homer Smith, a legend? This is a classic tale of unknown love and faith at first glance on the side of Homer Smith. It is a classic tale of love and faith at first glance on the side of Mother Superior Marie Martha.
Homer saw women working in an area of cultivated land and building a fence. He thought they may need some help. He could earn a few dollars. Instead he built a chapel. No one had ever put so much faith and trust in him. He felt like a man. Continue to read as Homer Smith, alas Schmidt, forge a bond into the Catholic church unknowingly.
Quotes:
One of the privileges of freedom was that a man slept until he felt like rising, with no bugles blowing.
"Faith. It is a word for what is unreasonable. If a man believes in an unreasonable thing, it is faith."
"Those Spanish have a way with beans, he said. "Make them taste like food."
4 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Sue J. Cauhape
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Accompaniment to the MovieReviewed in the United States on February 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book after watching the movie with Sidney Poitier a month ago. First, I was thrilled to find it still in print. I love the artistic cover, but the story itself is profound in its simplicity and as satisfying as watching the movie itself. I plan to keep this for my grandson to use in home school for comparing novels to movies as well as learning so much about human nature.
One person found this helpful
Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars ExcellentReviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Just recently rewatched movie and forgot it was based on a book. It's a short book and an easy read. Movie and book are mostly the same, with the movie being fleshed out a bit more to make it run longer. I just felt the book gave me more insight as the why German nuns were in southwestern desert and a little more into Homer's character as well. Both and and movie are excellent.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
LS
4.0 out of 5 stars Flat; missed opportunitesReviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Thin, perhaps should be called a book-let; Probably more appropriate for a magazine story. Enjoyed the read, and glad I read it, although finished it in 1 sitting before bed. Characters seemed to drift a bit from chapter to chapter and there were some plot choices that dragged story down, such as - SPOILER ALERT
-- why build a duplicate chapel of one less than 2 miles away??? Told entirely from the perspective of Homer, and he was also inconsistent and at times seemed on drugs
-- Castenada flashbacks for me.
There were other substantial characters that would have been great to develop a little further and give them some true or even partial dimension and reality, but sadly didn't happen.
Unlike most books I read, I had a real hard time visualizing what I was reading; too bad because there could have been some great visuals opportunities - both scenic and spiritual.
Surprisingly, the true ending was very enjoyable and left me smiling.
3 people found this helpful
mcewin
5.0 out of 5 stars A simple story told in simple wordsReviewed in Canada on September 24, 2015
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The value of this book as literature is to show what can be done with very simple prose.
3 people found this helpful
mcewin
5.0 out of 5 stars A simple story told in simple wordsReviewed in Canada on September 24, 2015
Verified Purchase
The value of this book as literature is to show what can be done with very simple prose.
A man arrives out of nowhere, to the middle of nowhere. There he meets other people. Together they accomplish a thing, which otherwise would not have been done. The man departs to nowhere.
Scenes are painted with very few words, in English, or German, or Spanglish. Nothing much needs saying, it wants doing. Much of it takes place in the man's head, a man who "like interesting ideas".
The movie did an admirable job at catching the black-and-white pallet of the desert and people (a black man dressed in white, white women dressed in black), If you liked the movie, you will like the book. If you have seen or read neither, do both. There is an experience waiting for you.
Scenes are painted with very few words, in English, or German, or Spanglish. Nothing much needs saying, it wants doing. Much of it takes place in the man's head, a man who "like interesting ideas".
The movie did an admirable job at catching the black-and-white pallet of the desert and people (a black man dressed in white, white women dressed in black), If you liked the movie, you will like the book. If you have seen or read neither, do both. There is an experience waiting for you.
===
About the author
Profile Image for William Edmund Barrett.
William Edmund Barrett
28 books22 followers
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Willam Edmund Barrett was born in New York City in 1900. He was Roman Catholic which is reflected strongly in his works. On February 15, 1925 he was married to Christine M. Rollman.
He attended Manhatten college. In 1941 he became an aeronautics consultant for Denver Public Library.
He was a member of PEN and the Authors League of America, and also the National Press Club of Washington, D.C. He was president of the Colorado Authors League from 1943-1944.
Three of his novels were the basis for film productions. The Left Hand of God, Lilies of the Field, and Pieces of Dream which was based on The Wine and the Music.
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4.01
Ann L.
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May 11, 2017
This was actually a really neat story. The main character is a black man who was brought up as a Southern Baptist, and who doesn't like to have a "boss" over him (he likes to be free to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants). He's driving along just doing whatever and stops to meet some German Catholic nuns who are working really hard outdoors building a fence, and decides to chip in by helping them repair some roof shingles. Immediately there is a language barrier because the nuns are learning English and so there's not a lot of talking going on between the nuns and this man.
The "Mother" of the nuns is an interesting character too. She doesn't "praise" this man for his hard work and actually expects him to continue working day after day until her main dream in life is to have a chapel built where the last one was burned down. So, this man feels led to help these nuns and yet he doesn't understand why. He feels a sense of liberation in helping them but at the same time, his human nature wants something in return for his hard work: money. He does not get paid in money for his hard work. If anything, he becomes more generous and gives more of himself to the nuns and their mission, fulfilling a higher spiritual purpose.
All said and done, this story is about human nature versus faith and prayer and the greater good of being led to do something more of what life calls for you to do. Sometimes life (or God) guides people to fulfill a higher calling than what you've set out to do in the first place. This often brings great joy in our lives and it has nothing to do with monetary gain.
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Kathryn
4,109 reviews
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August 15, 2012
The beautiful, deeply moving story of a group of German nuns struggling in earthly goods (but bountiful in Faith) in a small southwestern town and the strong, young African-American man named Homer Smith who happens upon them one day during his travels. Homer loves being a wanderer, free, not tied down to anyone or any job--he has made the back of his station wagon into a bed, takes odd jobs here and there, and travels the country enjoying life. Yet something about the nuns makes him stay. It's not enough to just fix their roof, he soon finds himself wanting to help brighten their lives, sharing his cans of soup and peaches with them (for they have only the meager bread, milk and eggs from their few livestock) and helping to teach them English so they don't have to use the silly old phonograph recording with its useless instructions for how to ask for a valet. But when the Reverend Mother asks him to build them a chapel, both his independent spirit and his Baptist faith give him pause. Should a Baptist build a Catholic church? Does the Reverend Mother, always calling him “Schmidt” and never saying “thank you”, feel a sense of ownership of him? He doesn't feel that the nun is racist, but he does think she believes God sent him to them and that he belongs there. Yet, there is something so kind and welcoming and wonderful about the nuns, and Homer also feels compelled to help them.
Those of you who have seen the wonderful film starring the gorgeous and soulful Sydney Poiter already know Homer’s decision. If you haven’t seen the film yet—do! it doesn’t follow the film exactly, it is also well worth your time.
I absolutely loved Homer Smith’s character, his warmth, his introspection, his kindness and generosity. Written in the early 1960s, Homer’s awareness of his race and how others view him is especially poignant. And the issues of faith, of what it means to honor ones religion, of what it means to love thy neighbor, are still so vital today. As the Reverend Mother said of Homer, “He was not of our faith, nor of our skin, but he was a man of greatness, of an utter devotion.”
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a read that will affirm your faith—be it in humanity or in God (or both).
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Katie Hanna
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March 16, 2018
Re-read, March 2018:
Behold the lilies of the field, how they toil not, neither do they spin.
And yet I say unto you. That not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these.
*curls up in a ball on the floor and screams silently* MY EMOTIONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Original review:
This was one of my favorite books as a teen . . . I'd forgotten just how much I loved it until just now, when somebody mentioned the movie. Guys, you all need to read this if you haven't already. Right now. It's just beautiful.
It's also really short--you can finish it in an afternoon. But it's powerful stuff. Brilliant story, brilliant author.
And boy, oh boy, do I love these characters and their story. I love Homer, and I love Sister Albertine, and I love Mother Maria Marthe . . . I JUST LOVE THEM ALL, OKAY?? I want SO BADLY for them all to be happy, to achieve their goals, to get what they want . . . I won't tell you if they do, though. You need to read the book yourself to find out.
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booklady
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January 13, 2016
I have one of the first editions of this book. The pages are turning brown and it won't withstand much handling but that's to be expected because it's coming up on fifty years old.
The Lilies of the Field is a deceptively simple story about a group of determined German nuns who truly believe in the Gospel message, 'Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?' (Matthew 6:28-30)
Perhaps it's their faith or it could be their wiles, but whichever, God does seem to provide for their every need under the most seemingly impossible circumstances. More people are familiar with the movie of the same name, starring Sidney Poiter, which doesn't exactly follow the book but has a certain charm all its own. These German 'Lilies' definitely toil and spin but they also have the faith of little children. Who knows what charmed the heart of the Almighty into sending this stranger to them to beguile into doing so much more than he intended.
Both the book and the movie are incredible and worth five stars each.
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La Tonya Jordan
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October 23, 2020
How can five nuns from Germany with very little English make a young black ex-GI from the Army, Homer Smith, a legend? This is a classic tale of unknown love and faith at first glance on the side of Homer Smith. It is a classic tale of love and faith at first glance on the side of Mother Superior Marie Martha.
Homer saw women working in an area of cultivated land and building a fence. He thought they may need some help. He could earn a few dollars. Instead he built a chapel. No one had ever put so much faith and trust in him. He felt like a man. Continue to read as Homer Smith, alas Schmidt, forge a bond into the Catholic church unknowingly.
Quotes:
One of the privileges of freedom was that a man slept until he felt like rising, with no bugles blowing.
"Faith. It is a word for what is unreasonable. If a man believes in an unreasonable thing, it is faith."
"Those Spanish have a way with beans, he said. "Make them taste like food."
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I went into this book with high expectations since I already adore the movie of it. And I wasn't disappointed! There were some slight book to movie differences but overall I think the movie did an amazing job of adapting this to the screen. (I think the movie is still my favorite way to enjoy this story, but that doesn't lessen my love for the book!)
Reading the book was like getting a deeper peek into an already well-loved story, with beautiful phrases scattered here and there that really struck a chord with me. I'm planning on going through the book to write down some of my favorite quotes.
Homer was just as amazing in this as he was in the movie, but I feel as if I appreciated his character even more here. The book sheds light on some of his thoughts and feelings and where he came from and where he hopes to go and he's just a really awesome character; I love him muchly. :)
Definitely recommend this read!! (Thanks to Katie Hanna for the recommendation. ;))
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Kathleen
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September 30, 2013
I picked up this little book at a library sale. It is an old paperback and the pages are brown with age. Now that I finished the book, it seems fitting that it was read by someone else before me. Lilies of the Field is a simple story of faith and providence. Homer Smith is a drifter who stumbles upon a group of German nuns working in a field. He offers himself as a day laborer and ends up staying until all their prayers are answered. I found myself reaffirmed that with the power of prayer, personal perseverance and hard work, there will always be enough "bricks"...some of the bricks will not be perfect, but they will be what you need. This is one of those books I see myself re-reading, perhaps when there does not seem to be enough "bricks".
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Olivia
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March 30, 2018
When he looked up after the "Amen" they were all looking at him happily. Nobody said anything but they were glad that he was home. A man felt a thing like that.
Awwwwwwwww.
A certain someone sent me this as a present, like the wonderful person she is. ;D Thanks, fren!
It was very atmospheric, with a writing style that's economical in general but doesn't skimp on description when necessary: I especially appreciated the parts where Homer was sitting out by himself under the dark prairie sky and listening to the sounds of the night. (Plus, Homer himself was pretty awesome. I took a shine to him as soon as the narrator said, "There was laughter in him." <3)
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