Long Way Gone

By: Charles Martin

Narrated by: Adam Verner

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

• Standalone 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

©2016 Charles Martin (P)2016 Zondervan

Critic reviews

USA Today best seller and Christy Award Book of the Year 2017

“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 best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

EVER BEEN THE "PRODIGAL SON"?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This is a great read as are all of Charles Martin's books. He paints a great picture all throughout and the reader feels like they are there with the characters!

What other book might you compare Long Way Gone to and why?

The Bible story of the Prodigal son and his return home. We all stray away, at times, from our parents or those who love us the most. The most important one being God! But, He is always standing there with His arms outstretched, ready to accept us back, no matter what we've done!

Have you listened to any of Adam Verner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have read almost every one of Charles Martin's books. I loved this narrator and I'm sure he has been used before! Sounds like the same person....He's good!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry and it was such a love story in many ways. It was a little slow getting started but it was worth sticking in there until the middle-end. It was awesome!

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite author! Always a great story that has to do with everyday things in our lives as Christians and some of the things we go through in this sometimes "hard" traveled life in which we live. Always a good, basic moral to these stories! Can't wait to read the last one on my list...The Dead Don't Dance! My friend is reading it now and she says it's the BEST! I can't ever decide which one I like the most....hard thing to choose..

Beautiful Story With Unexpected Ending

Another winner for the master storyteller Charles Martin. A wonderful story of Forgiveness and selfless love.One of his best.

Awesome, inspiring novel by a master storyteller.

Beautiful blend of heartbreak and hope set to the backdrop of a musician's turbulent life. Love the way Charles Martin weaves in the history of the places in the story to amplify the connection between the characters and the reader.

WOW

I don't give many ratings but I had to acknowledge this book and this story. WOW! I am floored and left awed! This book was better than "The Shack"!

You go through life minding your own business, doing what you do not even realizing He is standing right next to you going through life with you. He never leaves your side, this story is a testament. It will stay with me forever! Thank you Charles!

Long Way Gone

As a fan of Charles Martin and his books, I eagerly awaited the release of this book. His writing gets better and better and draws me closer to The Father and the miracle of his Son. I highly recommend this latest book as well as all those that preceded it. He never disappoints but leaves your heart full of joy and hope.

This book would make a great movie!

What made the experience of listening to Long Way Gone the most enjoyable?

The author writes with precision about what music sounds like when made from the heart; a father and son's stormy relationship; a Love that never ends, and the miracles that occur when all 3 combine.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Daily. Never stopped playing music, no matter as an upcoming star, or yesterday's news.

What about Adam Verner’s performance did you like?

He could make himself sound like a guitar, or a great singer by the way he spoke the words.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story about music, love, family, tragedy and miracles.

Inspiring

A well-written narrative of the struggles of life and how to conquer them with all the obstacles one faces while trying to make sense of what way to travel! Everyone can be a Long Way Gone for a part of their life but it is how you climb the mountain that makes the difference in the LONG Way👍

My favorite Charles Martin book!

I have read all of Charles Martin's books and this one is, by far, my favorite! My family is very musical so this musical theme really spoke to me. I loved the prodigal son story and the unexpected twists that he added. I will be reading this many times!

touching!

loved this! as a musician/vocal student, it carved a deeper, visceral understanding of musicality.

This was a beautiful story

This story was heart warming, happy, sad, familiar, joyous! It was comforting. I cried. I felt for the characters and I could relate to them, also. I highly recommend this book. I highly recommend this author.