As a long time fan of Charles Martin’s writing, the proud owner of every one of his novels, it’s no surprise that he is appearing here on First Line Friday – hosted by Hoarding Books. My book club has just finished discussing this brilliant retelling of the prodigal son story, Long Way Gone, this evening so the story is fresh in my mind. Nearly thirteen years ago, I first introduced my book club to Charles’ novels when we discussed When Crickets Cry and had Charles join us via telephone (before the days of Skype and video chats!!). You can read our interview with Charles here. I’ve loved all Charles’ books, but Long Way Gone’s a beauty and if you haven’t read any of his stories before, it’s a great place to begin. Be warned, once you start, you won’t be able to stop – either this book, or seeking out his backlist! Trust me, Charles is a writer whose stories you want on your shelves!
First Line
Just reading these first lines pulls me back into the story – it’s has one of my all time favourite opening chapters – so moving and heartfelt!
I’d love you to share the first line of the novel you are reading today…
“No matter where you go, no matter whether you succeed or fail, stand or fall, no gone is too far gone. You can always come home.”
At the age of eighteen, musician and songwriter Cooper O’Connor took everything his father held dear and drove 1,200 miles from home to Nashville, his life riding on a six-string guitar and the bold wager that he had talent. But his wager soon proved foolish.
Five years after losing everything, he falls in love with Daley Cross, an angelic voice in need of a song. But just as he realizes his love for Daley, Cooper faces a tragedy that threatens his life as well as his career. With nowhere else to go, he returns to his remote home in the Colorado Mountains, searching for answers about his father and his faith.
When Daley shows up on his street corner twenty years later, he wonders if it’s too late to tell her the truth about his past—and if he is ready to face it.
A radical retelling of the story of the prodigal son, Long Way Gone takes us from tent revivals to the Ryman Auditorium to the tender relationship between a broken man and the father who never stopped calling him home.
CHARLES MARTIN is a New York Times bestselling author of 13 previous novels, including his most recent, ‘Send Down The Rain.’ His work is available in 30+ languages. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and their three sons.
Reviewz Extras
Interview with Charles
Visit Charles’ website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Long Way Gone or Koorong
March 16, 2019 at 2:17 am
Happy Friday!
Today on my blog I am sharing the first line from A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh by Carolyn Miller: https://christianfictiongirl.blog/2019/03/14/first-line-friday-79/. I am really enjoying the story! I am currently in the middle of chapter 19, so I will leave a line from that chapter.
“Gideon waited in the drawing room, not daring to sit down, not daring to pace as he’d like to, in case the stoic footman at the door see him and make a fuss. What was taking her so long?”
Hope you have a great weekend. Happy reading! 🙂💜📚
March 16, 2019 at 5:55 am
Happy Friday!
Today on my blog I shared the first line from Fated by Teri Terry but I’m currently reading Dead Letter by Chautona Havig. I just started so I’ll share the first line from chapter 2 where I currently am: “Hard benches, spartan furnishings, packed conditions—though she’d purchased a second-class ticket as instructed, Madeline couldn’t help but feel like she’d gotten little better than emigrant car accommodations.” Hope you have a great weekend! Spring is in the air! 🙂
March 16, 2019 at 9:07 am
I LOVED Long Way Gone! It’s an amazing book!
Today I’m sharing the first line from The Memory House by Rachel Hauck:
“She was never afraid of the dark. But the light? Now that terrified her.”
Have a great weekend!
https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2019/03/first-line-fridays-memory-house-by.html
March 16, 2019 at 9:26 am
Happy Friday and weekend! My first line is from “KNOX: The Montana Marshalls” by Susan May Warren
“Oh goody, now Knox go to watch his trouble-making little brother break his ornery neck.”
March 16, 2019 at 2:22 pm
Happy Friday! Over on my blog I’m sharing from the first book in Robin Patchen’s Beauty in Flight trilogy. This is the first line from the second book, Beauty in Hiding:
“Of course it was raining.”
March 16, 2019 at 10:32 pm
I think this is one of Martin’s best books. It inspired my church book club to add a Bible study component to our discussion. We spent 3 weeks discussing various elements of the book and digging deeper into scripture. We now have an official Faith And Fiction Bible study — 3 meetings studying a specific story or figure of the Bible followed by 1 meeting discussing a novel inspired by the scripture. It has been a very successful formula.
March 17, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Well, I think you already know what I think about this book! <3
I've shared the first line from Crystal Walton's "Romancing the Conflicted Cowboy" on my blog, but since I'm reading Carolyn Miller's "A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh" right now, I'll share the first line of the scene I'm up to (in chapter 5):
Gideon looked up from the specimen and almost dropped it.
Have a great weekend 🙂
March 17, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Charles Martin is an amazing author! When I read “When Crickets Cry” I was hooked for life. Right now I’m reading Mesu Andrews – “Of Fire and Lions” – – Chapter 5 – “Wildcat. Someone kicked my side. “Wildcat!”