Another stellar novel from Martin. His fabulous gift for characterization is evident on each page. Layers of the story are peeled back to show the spiritual truth underneath the gripping plot. This is a reimagining of the prodigal son story from the Bible, and the reader's faith can't help but be enriched and encouraged after completing the book. Cooper is an intricate character with an amazing story to tell, and the supporting cast is just as important to provide additional depth and understanding. This novel should be on everyone's must-purchase list.
At age 18, fed up with his father's straight-laced, restrictive life, Cooper O'Connor takes his father's beloved guitar, money and a vehicle and drives away to find his way in the music world. After losing everything, Cooper slowly finds his way in Nashville and his musical talent comes to the surface when he meets singer Daley Cross. Just when his life and musical career is hitting its stride, another tragic event takes place. He returns home to Colorado and sets about rebuilding his life in a new way. When Daley walks back into his life, Cooper must decide if telling her the truth about the past is the right thing to do.

What becomes of the brokenhearted?
Is the healing possible, when you truly (and this is backed by the hard facts) feel being broken to bits, ill and unworthy to return to the grace?
But truly? You?

This is a modern retelling of the Biblical story of the prodigal son, and it does explain the core of the story to the modern ears. Because everyone is broken and in pain, sooner or later (or is simply bottling up the feeling and does not acknowledge it). And Charles Martin is one of the rarest ones who understand, who truly know the feeling. So you forgive him the bit of pathos and emotional play. Because even with all that (sometimes overdone) feelings his works are a thing of beauty, where he truly wants to share the hope. And the hope is a very rare commodity these days, when we have almost everything at the ready except the truly important stuff - commitment, trust, sacrifice and hope.
This is a novel that can open the hearts.

In his novel, Long Way Gone, Charles Martin tells the story of Cooper O’Conner, the son of a traveling evangelist, who has had enough of his father, his father’s message, and his father’s God. After a confrontation, Cooper steals his father’s truck, money, and guitar, and heads for Nashville, determined to make it on his own merit. O’Conner experiences the high life before he comes crashing down and is forced to face the consequences of his choices. Will he make things right before it’s too late?



Charles Martin is a gifted story-teller who crafts deep authentic characters with whom the reader can identify. The use of descriptive detail throughout the story is beautiful and captivating. The narrative is packed with page-turning suspense and reaches a surprising climax with an emotional pull that lasts a long time.



Long Way Gone is a modern retelling of the Prodigal Son. While the story is told through different narrators, the style is inventive and adds an unexpected element of depth without being pretentious. Charles Martin is an excellent author, and I highly recommend Long Way Gone.



I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest review

A beautiful story based loosely on the prodigal son. It starts a little slow but soon grasps the reader. The story is powerful and emphasizes that our Father is always waiting. Readers will enjoy the musical theme.

Just finished reading this book. Wow! I have enjoyed other books Charles Martin has written, my former favorite being "The Mountain Between Us." I think "Long Way Gone" is his best to date, and I have already recommended it to several people.

For anyone who loves music, or family, or God, or Nashville, or guitars, you'll love this book!! Charles Martin has a God-given gift, much like our main character in this title, and I'm thankful he's using it. May you write many more!

Long Way Gone is a retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son, set in high-country Colorado and among the ups and downs of the Nashville music industry. It’s written in first person from the point of view of Cooper O’Connor, an evangelist’s son with a gift for music.

The writing is outstanding, the plot is excellent, the structure close to perfect.

I was fascinated by the musical information—the Ryman theatre, the Nashville Notation System, the whole music vibe. Anyone who watches Nashville or who has ever visited (or wants to visit) the home of country music will appreciate that side of it (and will be able to relate to the characters). I was impressed with the way so much research and setting was dropped in without it ever getting in the way of the central story.

I only found one fault with Long Way Gone, the recurrent misuse of an old saying: “if I thought x, I had another thing coming”. No. It’s “another think coming”. Thought, think. Not thing. Ask Goggle. I don’t know if that’s the fault of the author or the editor, but it’s the one thing which took me out of the story. Because writing this good shouldn’t be spoiled by silly mistakes.

The story spans decades.

So while we see Cooper’s mistakes through his eyes, we see them through the eyes of a man who has matured enough to realise they were mistakes—mistakes he’s repented from, even if he’s still not fully reconciled to the consequences of those mistakes.

It’s a story about a man (who loves a woman—yes, there is a romance element), and his love for music. It’s a story of a man who makes mistakes in his pursuit of happiness. And it’s a story about how sometimes those mistakes can be made right again, and sometimes they can’t.

Recommended for music fans, romance fans, or anyone who appreciates good writing.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This book was good. I'm a big fan of Charles Martin. I did think the guitar/music descriptive were a bit much...and they tended to make the book have a slow move to it. Aside from that I enjoyed the hopeful feel and character development that unfolded through the book.

I have read most of this author's books. I have to say that this book just became my favorite. I really didn't want it to end. I wanted to read more about Daley and Coop. I wanted to finish their journey with them. I would highly recommend this book and this author to anyone!

Although I liked the writing, the book as a whole was not my type.

Martin has turned out another novel sure to be another favorite! This is a great sure bet title.