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    Long Way Gone
    Long Way Gone
    Long Way Gone
    Audiobook9 hours

    Long Way Gone

    Written by Charles Martin

    Narrated by Adam Verner

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Cooper O'Connor thought he could make it big as a musician, but he promptly lost it all. Can he repair his relationship with the father who never stopped calling him 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 home to the remote 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 himself.

    Praise for Long Way Gone:

    “Cooper and Daley's story will make you believe that even broken instruments have songs to offer when they're in the right hands. Charles Martin never fails to ask and answer the questions that linger deep within all of us. In this beautifully told story of a prodigal coming home, readers will find the broken and mended pieces of their own hearts.”—Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

    • Stand-alone novel
    • USA TODAY bestseller and Christy Award Book of the Year 2017
    • Also by Charles Martin: The Letter Keeper, The Mountain Between Us, Send Down the Rain, and When Crickets Cry
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateOct 4, 2016
    ISBN9780718084806
    Long Way Gone
    Author

    Charles Martin

    Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. He and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, Florida. Learn more at charlesmartinbooks.com; Instagram: @storiedcareer; Twitter: @storiedcareer; Facebook: @Author.Charles.Martin.

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    Reviews for Long Way Gone

    4.5/5

    118 ratings15 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this book! The story brought tears but had a happy ending. Appreciated clear sharing of gospel at end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent writing, engaging story, great narration. Listen to this book!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Really enjoyed this book! Don't be put off if you secretly feel you've heard the story of the prodigal son too many times for one more. There's nothing formulaic about this telling.

      The author spins a tale that will keep you guessing (and reading or listening) all the way to the end! I found it grippingly good!

      I listened to the audio version, which is VERY well done in my opinion, but wouldn't mind having a hard copy of this one on my shelf to read again and share. It would be fantastic to give or loan to someone who feels they need to earn their Father's love, to someone who's feeling distant from Him or discouraged in their walk, to share with someone who's looking for the Lord and doesn't know it yet, or just to read as an awesome story!

      If giving is on your mind you may want to know that story itself is followed up by THE story of THE prodigal son, with some good extrapolation and fabulous questions, even for long time believers.

      Highly recommended!
      Many thanks to the author for a moving and inspirational story that sure made me hold my breath!!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Charles Martin is a gifted writer, this book draws you in, wanting more, filled my spirit and heart

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Another great book by this author. Yes they are predictable, but he does an excellent job telling a story and they are spiritual as well, but not heavy handed. As an added bonus part of it takes place in Colorado- Leadville and Buena Vista.
    • 5/5
      Charles Martin is great at describing experiences from what seems to be an insider’s perspective. As a musician, I thoroughly appreciated his descriptions of music and various characters’ experiences with it.
      This story in particular folds together different pieces at a time so you think you know what happened in the past to effect the decisions made in the future, but he keeps you guessing. This modern day prodigal son kept me on my toes and I didn’t want to stop listening to the audiobook.
    • 5/5
      ANY book by Charles Martin is AMAZING. Go ahead and listen to them ALL. Long Way Gone is a BEAUTIFUL story that touches every.single.heart.
    • 5/5
      Very good book with an amazing story to tell!
    • 5/5
      Excellent example of forgiveness from the consequences of bad selfish choices
    • 4/5
      Charles Martin gives the reader an insider's look at the music industry and the life of musicians while also exploring the complexities of the father/son relationship. This is a deep, emotional ride through the perspective of a man discovering his identity and how to use his talent. He struggles with faith in his father, faith in himself, and faith in life and all of his struggle rings true.
    • 5/5
      Author Charles Martin’s “Long Way Gone” is an emotional and ultimately uplifting story of redemptive grace and abiding faith. Rich in musical details and the history of gospel music, tent preachers, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and “Grand Ole Opry”—this fascinating tale borrows from the Biblical legend of “The Prodigal Son”. Cooper O’Connor grew up in the loving and larger-than-life presence of his father, a gifted preacher and musician. Blessed with an innate understanding of music, and a talented singer and songwriter on his own, Cooper would eventually leave his home and the life he knew with his father to reach out for the bright lights of stardom. His journey will be nothing like he expected, and treachery and tragedy will separate him from his dreams and those he holds most dear. At times finding himself in the lowest depths of a despairing existence, Cooper must fight for his very life—both his spiritual life and his life on Earth. However, as the author reminds us throughout this story, no one is ever “too far gone”. Forgiveness and healing are always ours for the asking—if only we have the courage of faith to make that leap. “Long Way Home” holds a special resonance for me, and I appreciate the respect that Charles Martin shows this musical genre and its entertainers, especially Elvis. I am a Southerner and a lifelong fan of Elvis and old hymns and gospel music. My mother, one of the greatest Elvis fans ever, was also quite musically talented. She played the piano and organ, and for many years, she was the only music provider for her little home church in the country. Mama “played by ear”, and I often teased her about the extra notes she added, but she just said “that’s the way it should be played”. Thank you, Charles Martin for your care in creating this story. The musical insights at the heart of this story are simply amazing.Book Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books
    • 3/5
      This took me a while to get into, but I will be reading more of Charles Martin books for sure! This was a wonderful allegory for the power of the love a father has for his son, taken from the prodigal son from the book of Luke. I loved the idea that there is a song in each of us if we will just listen for it.
    • 5/5
      A few days ago I posted on FB that Long Way Gone by Charles Martin was one of the best books I have ever read. Quite an assertion, I agree. But this part coming-of-age, part love story, part parable, conveys beautiful truths while immersing its reader fully into the story. Martin is an excellent story-teller and has proven it over and over again. But I think Long Way Gone goes one step further. Maybe it is the subject matter or maybe it is the characters that immediately capture your heart. Or maybe it is the underlying truths of God’s love and care for His children. Whatever the element, the magic is there.Cooper is a musical prodigy who soon becomes the draw for his father’s tent revivals. Hundreds of people come from far and wide to hear his song. But he soon comes to believe that he is indeed something special and rejects his father’s way of life — striking out to find his own way, a way that shuns not only his father but God.Long Way Gone is a retelling of the Prodigal Son. This is an emotional story filled with song that shows the depths of God’s love. Martin expertly describes just how far a person can fall and just how deep a father’s love can be. Characters are complex and real. The first person account from Cooper holds nothing back as he journeys from cocky kid to a wiser, yet resigned adult. The supernatural becomes natural as well under Martin’s deft hand. The ending will surprise and delight and cause not a few tears. I have been recommending this novel to all because while on the surface it is a great story, it also conveys the truth of God’s love and care even while letting us suffer the consequences of our own actions. Be sure to read the Afterword — insights into Coop’s story as well as the beliefs of the author are revealed. There were a lot of things that hit home with me as I was reading Long Way Gone. One thing that resonated over and over was that we are made to worship, and we need to be very careful what we choose as the object of our worship.For those who love music, for those who love great characters, for those who want to be touched and challenged, for those who have a prodigal in their life, Long Way Gone is a must read.Very Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.
    • 5/5
      Title: Long Way GoneAuthor: Charles MartinPages: 320Year: 2016Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Charles Martin has written a novel that moves the heart very deeply and engages the mind in wondering where he is taking readers. The novel also moves the soul in a way that people can easily identify with by using the language of music. The main character, Cooper, readers meet seen as a man playing a guitar on a street corner. His looks have changed along with his voice. Soon, due to being at a stoplight, he observes a young lady who looks very familiar. When he sees her again, he is struck by how little she has changed. Or has she?The author uses flashback a couple of times and slowly reveals a modern day fictional telling of what many know to be the prodigal son parable from the Bible. With slow movement and time to let the story sink into the heart of the reader, he unveils the true look at the heart of a prodigal. While the character is a man, readers will soon see that all of the players are prodigals. The difference is some come home and others choose not to.Cooper also learns that he sees in the spiritual realm and it affects his life, heart and future in ways he couldn’t before understand. When he realizes his earthly father is gone and what he was teaching his son was right, a powerful scene in the book will take your breath away. The one scene towards the end of the book, and you’ll know what I’m talking about when you read the story, is one that I will be thinking about for a long time.Avid book lovers or those just looking for a good book now and again, look no further as this fictional novel will grab you and won’t let go even after you close the book. So, if you know someone who is on the prowl for a good book or want to share a novel with friends, family or others in this season of giving, look no further! A perfect, touching story for all of us prodigals!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 5/5
      It's quite heavy and intricately woven, this contemporary prodigal son story: Long Way Gone by author Charles Martin.I was in for a surprise when I received this book. While I'd seen the wooded path and the man in the distance on the book cover, I didn't notice the most telling feature of the cover until I held the book in my hands: the path is a guitar.This is certainly a tale where music is a living, breathing creation, and musical instruments are virtually people. The author gives illustrations of gifting that goes beyond talent, beyond what's tangible, and fierce love (of different kinds) that does the same--that goes beyond.I did have some minor issues with the plot development. I didn't fully buy into how drastic the protagonist's turn on his father is, perhaps because the severe change happens in a rather short amount of time, reading wise. And the story may have what I call "too many endings," when it seems a climax or conclusion stretches a bit too long or keeps unfolding so much that the zenith or plateau it reaches begins to lose its effect.But that's of little matter here, considering all the areas of the soul the novel explores, and the powerful depiction of a love that is, again, so fierce that I had to set the book aside for a while and just breathe. I couldn't even cry.They may be what Wordsworth would call "Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears." But, knowing myself, and being sure that my thoughts from this novel will stick with me, I may very well cry later._________________BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.