Long Way Gone

(c) 2017

by Charles Martin

My rating: >5 stars

SUMMARY: Long Way Gone covers about a twenty-year period of the life of Cooper OConnor, son of a tent-revival preacher, a gifted musician, and a talented songwriter. Its about a rebellious young man and the sacrificial, never-ending love of a father. Long Way Gone is a story of the prodigal son like youve never read before.

MY THOUGHTS: This is my first book by author Charles Martin, and it was recommended to me by a local librarian. After I brought it home from the library, I renewed it over a period of two months before I decided I better read it because the librarian kept asking me what I thought of it. Sounded interesting, but I just didnt think Id really enjoy it. Wow, was I ever wrong!

I love musicall kinds of music, but Im not a musician and I cant sing a lick. But musicparticularly hymns and Christian worship songsspeaks to me and moves me to a greater worship of my Heavenly Father. This story grabbed me from the beginning with its in-depth knowledge of instruments, particularly guitars, music, and the great love of a father. Charles Martins words were sheer poetry in some places!

Its real, its honest, its heart-wrenching, its funny. There is just so much to this book.

If you are a prodigal child, you need to read this book. Even if you dont have an earthly father that would do all he could to bring you back home, you do have a Heavenly Father Who does. No gone is too far gone.

Dont miss this one!

Long Way Gone is one of the most powerful retellings of the prodigal son that I have ever read, and I am sure the story will stick with me for a long time. Long Way Gone makes me want to read more by the author! I will be recommending this one to friends, and Ive already purchased a copy for our church library. Matter of fact, I think Im going to buy another copy as our June (Fathers Day) giveaway!

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This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

Long Way Gone is one of those stories that very quickly becomes a treasured masterpiece on your bookshelf. I know that it certainly will be for me. Its one of those books that has such depth of emotion behind the underlying story that you find yourself sitting quietly pondering passages. The first person point of view instantly makes Coop not only relatable but also an all-around likeable guy. Martin very quickly establishes the strong bond between father and son which becomes critical as the story progresses. The depth of love, devotion, and hope that Coops father has for him brought me to tears more times than I can count, as did the evident remorse Coop lives with daily. Martin deftly redirects the ending from what the reader is anticipating (which again made me cry!). He also beautifully ties Coops fathers message that he can always come home to Gods message to us that we are never too far away from Him that he wouldnt welcome us back. Loved this book. I can certainly see why it won the 2017 Christy Award for Book of they Year.

Oh, some one should definitely make a movie out of this book! Always of fan of Martin and this might possibly be my favorite. The characters are so fleshed out and the nuances of relationships are there. Martin's books always have such a beautiful flow to them that adds to the joy of his amazing story lines. They are to be read slowly and gloriously savored.

"Music is a gift. We make it to give away."

It took Cooper "Peg" O'Connor decades to learn what his father had been faithfully demonstrating for years; "(when you play a song)you're giving them something that no amount of money can buy . . . . . . hope." His journey took him from the mountains of Colorado and a life filled with tent revivals to the street corners of Nashville, Tennessee, where lots of people could play an instrument, but seldom offered the gift of music. Until Cooper meets Daley Cross, the voice that his prodigious fingers were meant to play.

And then he understood, albeit too late, this side of eternity. Years of regret and a sizable bank account could not replace what Cooper had "long way gone". He could only chose to live the extended life that he had been given, ultimately discovering that the God who had waited patiently every step of the way, could take his heart and seal it, offering him unconditional love; for the prodigal had come all the way home.

This is kind of book, that the more times it is read, will delve its melody deeper into the recesses of your heart, as it gives itself away.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Really enjoyed this read. The writing style is so different, and the storyline is incredibly well done. Giving this five stars because it touched my heart and brought a tear or two. Very few books do that.

The characters seem so real, and the plot ( though not original) is so very touching. This was my first by this author, but I don't expect it will be my last. This had a strong faith theme...and a bit of the unseen spiritual world.

Recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.