Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: When Crickets Cry
Author: Charles Martin
Publisher: WestBow-Thomas Nelson Publishing
ISBN: 1-5955-4054-7
Release Date: April 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: General Fiction
Year/Setting: Present Day - Georgia
Overall rating: 5.0 +
Sexual content rating: None
Language (profanity) rating: None
Charles' Website:
www.charlesmartinbooks.com
What a struggle to sit here and write the review of When Crickets Cry. Oh, not my thoughts or opinion about the book, I’ve more words on that score than I’ll possibly need. The summarizing of it is the struggle. You see, in my viewpoint there’s no easy way to summarize the story, as there is no insignificant part unto another in this book. Thoughts and scenes and words on one page will have significance on another later in the book.
You could read another’s summary and review on this book, or I could summarize and give away too much. But I don’t want to be the one to spoil any aspect of this book for you.
So I’ve decided instead to use the cover blurb:
"A man with a painful past.
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads for his car, his mind on a boat he’s restoring at a nearby lake. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. The stranger understands more about it than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives."
A child with a doubtful future.
And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts...
Change the trajectory of both their lives...How true, and to an extent it's an understatement as both of their lives, as well as those closest to them, have been altered by varying degrees over time prior to their meeting. It’s their meeting that will once more shift the axis their world is on. One way or another.
I know I’ve given you little to go on and you may ask, is this a suspense novel with surprises and twists? Yes, multiple. Is this an inspirational novel? Yes, it will touch you on some level. Is this a romance novel? Yes, though not in the strict sense of the word. It’s all that and more. And I mean more in the context that each person will undoubtedly see and feel something different about this book as they read it.
The characters, Reese, Annie, Cindy, Charlie, and others, are extremely well developed. Very real. They’ll charm you, inspire you, touch you, and perhaps frustrate you from time to time.
As for the story itself, it’s thought provoking, tender, intense, and heartrending. Both a sad and uplifting tale that will make you cry and smile. One I don’t think another could have written so eloquently.
I have to say, I’m truly thankful to have been able to read When Crickets Cry. It’s a book I have no doubt I’ll read again, and probably get something different from it each time I read it.
Mr. Martin’s writing is gifted and blessed and insightful. His prose captures the essence of the story with beauty and sensitivity. I look forward to reading more of his work, past and future.
When Crickets Cry should not to be passed by. Please trust me on this.
Connie
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Connie know.
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