Chasing Fireflies: A Novel of Discovery

Charles Martin has a gift for drawing you into the most prosaic of settings. A South Georgia swamp smell has sentimental meaning for a character, and you feel it too. His characters are great too: we meet the gritty--and funny--Uncle Willee, whose gentle humor is birthed of great tragedy.This author always seems to write of deep pain and suffering. He brings his protagonists through a journey that includes deep Job-like wrestling and out the other side. Yes, Charles Martin is a Christian, and while his books usually aren't "preachy," you can see the Christian thematic content and even a quote by Jim Elliott.Poignant as always, this story gives you something to rejoice in. The only thing I would warn a potential reader about is the writer's use of flashbacks. Whole chapters are written in different time periods, and while he normally does this well, at one point I was scratching my head: "when" is this happening? Just FYI.

Chasing Fireflies is one of the best books I've read so far this year. I don't know exactly what I was expecting when I started this one, but I definitely got a whole lot more that I was expecting. These characters have such depth, and the story captivates on so many levels. At first, I didn't care for the baseball references (not a sports fan at all). I was even debating whether or not I wanted to continue reading if it was going to be a sports book. It it so much more than that. I love everything about this book. It's going on my favorites shelf.This book is filled with so much emotion, such wonderful characters, and a captivating story with a beautiful ending. Highly recommended!

A good story, some moderate action and suspense, so it's not just philosophy and ideas. Great development of characters and perspective on persevering when life gives you a handful of unfair crap, and encouragement to continue in honor and integrity despite injustice and ridicule. Only criticism I can give is that the author likes to write things a little too cleverly in a oblique way, and sometimes this leaves me wondering "hey wait, what did he just say?" Then I go back and re-read it to figure out his "literary" way of saying something so cloaked and vague that it hinders the reading. But maybe that's part of painting word pictures and writing with "atmosphere."

This was an amazing story.... I cried... I laughed... I couldn't put it down... BUT THE ENDING WAS UNFINISHED!!!! It's like the author got tired of writing a said ok I'm done! Smh

Author Charles Martin gives his readers wonderful stories with interesting plots, great characters and excellent dialogue. This is the 5th book of his that I've read, and all have been extraordinary.. or darn close to it!Though integral to the story, I was distracted by so much time being spent on describing the geography of where the story took place, and I felt that this slowed-down the pace of the story, somewhat. Too, I was disappointed with the ending, which I felt didn't quite wrap-up things as neatly as I'd have liked .On the other hand, I loved the wittisisms of Unc Willee, and the overall poignancy of the story. Personaly, I feel that any story that illustrates a "life's lesson" is worth reading, and Author Charles Martin is a Master at doing just this.All-in-all, even with the issues I felt were short-comings, if you are looking for fiction done right, pick up this book and I'm pretty certain that you'll be glad you did.

The basic story is good, which is what kept me reading the book, but the lengthy descriptions are annoying; they go on forever. I felt like saying “cut to the chase”.I really don’t care about the details of the forest or of the baseball team’s record. That much description does not add value to the story, and will prevent me from reading more from this author.

I have this book to thank for a week of late nights; I could not put it down. What a beautiful story of love and loss and redemption. It was suspenseful, moving, and inspiring—a remarkable combination. Uncle Willee is a saint, certainly a man to be emulated. I can’t wait to read another book by Charles Martin. It’s been quite some time since I read When Crickets Cry, but I can’t resist picking up another by this talented author now.

I am turning 60 this year, and I have done a lot, mostly in spite of the father I never had. I genuinely enjoyed this story of love between a son and a father that never gave up on each other. I never had that dad, he was too immature and didn't know how to be a man, but was himself a child who never grew up. Thus I have had to learn and fail and get back up and be my own father to my own little boy self and learn to love myself as my own father could not. I am somewhat envious of the boy who had an uncle who would not stop being his real father, mine was not that strong or brave. Yet I am not entirely green with envy because I recognize the hard and painful effort that Uncle Willie put forth as the same healing effort that I have had to commit to giving freely to my soul. Pain is love and attention is how we deliver it. This is a good story of good men and the women who love them.

Brilliant book ,and service.

I read 3 novels every wk, and this is a standout book among the many dozens upon dozens I have read in recent years. It has wonderfully developed characters, lots of intricate details and it’s a story that is so unlike any other I have read. And that’s what I love, it’s originality and that it’s not a predictable book. It’s got so much going on…. it has tension, humour, heart tugging and feel good moments among other good things!!! Honestly I can’t say enough and yet I don’t wanna be specific and give anything away for new readers! It’s simply a must read book ❤️

This was a new find for me. Loved how the story was woven incorporating the past into the present. It was interesting and well crafted.

I love all of Charles Martins' books. He portrays his characters so touchingly and imperfect, that I just fall in love with them. His stories move inside my head long after i read the book and I feel like they touch me and my life, always.This one is about fatherhood and being a son and finding out who you are. A topic that everyone can relate to.I read ALL of Charles Martins' books and he is one of my favorite authors, so of course, I recommend all his books.

Like usual, a good read. I think his books tend to stretch reality a bit, but I enjoy his characters. You live within the mind of the main character in all of these books that I have read. That has to be done right to keep it livable. Charles does it right!