Customer Reviews

Where the River Ends

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

WHERE THE RIVER ENDS, Charles Martin's sixth novel following his award-winning CHASING FIREFLIES, is a touching story of love and loss, set with rich detail against the backdrop of Charleston and the St. Mary's River.

Doss Michaels is a fishing guide and starving artist trying to eke out a living in a small studio in Charleston. A chance encounter with beautiful model Abigail "Abbie" Grace Coleman leads to a 10-year blissful marriage, but when Abbie becomes terminally ill, their lives fall apart. Abbie's once-flawless model's physique is ravaged by cancer, and her strength drains until she's counting her time left in weeks, if not days. On her wish list of 10 things to do before she dies is a 130-mile trip down the St. Mary's River, and Doss promises her they will accomplish it. Despite her father's threats (he wants her to be in the hospital), Doss and Abbie embark on the excursion. Hurricane season looms, which lends urgency and tension as the story progresses.

Martin tells his slow-paced tale well, and competently handles the difficult task of flashing back and forth in time in alternate chapters to tell the story of Doss and Abbie's courtship and their present-day trip down the St. Mary's. Doss and Abby meet with a fair share of hardship and challenges on their epic journey. Fans of the author will find the lavish descriptions of small towns, rivers and rural roads in WHERE THE RIVER ENDS in keeping with his eye for detail in his previous novels, including lots of precise descriptions about the St. Mary's River. As in his past efforts, Martin incorporates subtle faith themes that flow as naturally as the currents of the river.

Difficult and sometimes frightening moments on the river are balanced with scenes incorporating unusual characters, from Robert "Bob" Porter, a former priest who shelters them, to a group of partying rednecks who offer food and song to a spitting, rodent-killing backwoodswoman.

One of the most memorable scenes is between a young Doss and his down-on-her-luck mother telling him early on about his artistic gift, which she has nurtured, and the importance of the river: "Life ain't easy. Most the time, it's hard. It seldom makes sense and it ain't never wrapped up in a neat little bow. Seems like the older you get the more it trips you up, breaks you down and bloodies you...What you got inside you is...is a well that bubbles up from way down deep. It's sweet water, too. But sometimes wells run empty. If you ever get to hurting and all you feel is ache --- you reach down and find your well empty, nothing but dust --- then you come back here...dive in and drink deeply."

Martin's narrative occasionally slows and meanders like the river itself (there's a long travelogue about a trip to Europe). The ending is redemptive, even if for this reader it does tie up Doss and his father-in-law's relationship a little too neatly.

But Martin knows how to tug at the heartstrings, and it's a cold-hearted reader who can walk away from this one without shedding a tear. Readers of WHERE THE RIVER ENDS will come away waiting to hear more from this talented author.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

You have to have "heart and soul" to fully appreciate Charles Martin's books. This one is no exception. The way he melds the winding river with life and death is riveting. I really loved this book.

Water can be a metaphor. In many religions and religious ceremonies water is utilized to symbolize the power of cleansing and/or the life sustaining properties for those who drink from its well. A river can depict a smooth and placid picture or conversely can illustrate a trajectory of tumult and uncertainty. So it is with WHERE THE RIVER ENDS, a story that depicts what happens to a couple from diverse backgrounds when the undertow and turbulence of life coupled with an unforeseen act of fate alters the course of their future and, like the waters of an ever moving river, changes it forever. Author Charles Martin has chosen the old adage "The course of true love never runs smoothly" as the foundation on which to erect his metaphoric tale.

A combination of THE BUCKET LIST, GROUNDHOG DAY and LOVE STORY, this is a chronicle of memories, human frailty, unbreakable bonds and second chances. Touching in places, melodramatic in others this book will definitely not appeal to the realists of the world. This is a melancholy, yet romantic, two handkerchief narrative for those who believe that beauty can be found in the most unlikely places, that love and memory can overcome the pain of loss, and that forgiveness is the most powerful and healing of all of the conscious choices a person can make.

I was taken in by this story. When the the "C" word knocks on your door, it is an overwhelming shock which throws life into a tailspin. Most people consider the victim of the cancer. But cancer hits the whole family, especially the spouse. I learned the true meaning of "for better or for worse" as well as, "in sickness and in health." Charles Martin truly describes this reality. In "Where the River Ends" we follow Doss Michaels as he risks all for the love of his life, cheering him on all the way to the mouth of the St. Marys River. Unlike many authors who tell us a good story, Martin has the unusual knack of showing us. Just as his main character knows how to create something beautiful with canvas and paint, Charles Martin paints a beautiful picture of unconditional love with paper and pen. This is a must read!

Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of Charles Martin. I've enjoyed all his books, some more than others. I was a bit disappointed with this one in that the story seemed so similar to his earlier novel, The Dead Don't Dance. As others have written, this story was a little unbelievable at times and descriptions of the river a little too much. Still, I enjoy just reading his style of writing. And I love the quirky characters that play supporting roles, like the shotgun toting toothless woman they meet on the river. Abbie's comments often had me laughing out loud. One thing I wished for was a map of the river, maybe on the inside cover. It would have made it more interesting to follow their path down the river.

Charles Martin paints pictures with just the right words like his hero, Doss, learned to paint pictures with his heart.

This is a story of two people who become what they are at the core of how they were raised and the people who gave them birth. The love was a whispered wave throughout, and the characters were ones you will not soon forget. The old woman they meet on their canoe trip is an example of a character painted on paper.

At times sad, and at times funny, it is a dream for those harboring a terrible disease. A story of a simple love between two different people. The conquering of outside influences move the reader from page to page as they canoe down the river.

Charles Martin presents another heart felt novel that brings readers to express their emotions as they read. It is a story you will not want to end.

Author Charles Martin has written a masterpiece of Southern fiction. In a culture that has lost some of its values, this tale of love within marriage reminds us of what everyone truly desires: to be loved unconditionally, to be fully committed to, and to be fully committed. I struggled to understand why this story so touched my heart, but soon realized that my desire for a truer, purer life overwhelmed the struggles I currently face. Some people would call this a fantastical escape, but I call it a restoration of hope.

I am not sure if there would be a person on earth today who has not, in some fashion, been affected by the cancer pandemic. With singular stories of "winning the battle", Martin, through rich character development and the wonder of a river journey, masterfully and pungeantly carries a way to truly deal with the statistical realities, again, restoring hope in the truth that we can possess love for others that is greater than the love we have for ourselves.

C.S. Lewis in his preface to MacDonald's Phantastes wrote, "I should have been shocked in my 'teens if anyone had told me that what I learned to love in Phantastes was goodness."

This story of a man's devotion to his wife, and his unconditional (but often challenged) love for her, is filled with...well...'goodness'.

Read this book, and keep the tissues handy.

Charles Martin has written another novel of love and commitment from a man to his wife. Along the lines of two of Martin's previous novels, The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Series #1) and Maggie (Awakening Series #2), Where the River Ends explores just how far a man will go in order to show his undying love for his wife. Written with depth and heartfelt insight, this book will not disappoint those who are already fans of Charles Martin and will make newcomers to Martin's books hungry for more. The characters are real and believable, and the setting (historic Charleston) and the surrounding areas make this book even more interesting to read. Well done, Charles Martin. Keep on writing!!

Great,moving, thought-provoking story. However, as a teacher, there were several grammatical errors/typos that bothered me-a better job of proofreading would make the whole book even more enjoyable.

I couldn't put this book down. This is the sweetest story of never-ending, to the core, selfless, dedicated love. There isn't a woman who wouldn't want a Doss Michaels in their life.

Doss, a struggling artist who grew up in a trailer park, meets, falls in love with, and marries the senator's daughter - Abbie Coleman. Though he knows his father-in-law does not like him and disapproves of their marriage, he doesn't let that deter him from giving Abbie his full heart.

When health troubles arise, Doss and Abbie have choices to make--many of them illegal and (to her father) unethical. Through the ups and downs of their decisions, and consequences for each choice, their strength, love and will to survive are tested.

Abbie makes a list of ten things she hopes to do in her life. Together, she and Doss go through the checklist, racing against time, the law, and the senator's formidable determination.

I tend to think of "Where the River Ends" as "The Bucket List" meets "The Notebook". I laughed and cried throughout this story and didn't want the book to end. I've grown to know and love the characters and feel a void now that I've closed the cover.

Charles Martin paints a vivid portrait of Charleston and the St. Mary's River, making me feel as if I've been there. I've put the remaining Charles Martin books on my wish list. Great author. Great story. Great experience.