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77th out of 947 books
—
1,422 voters
When Crickets Cry
by
Charles Martin (Goodreads Author)
"A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts."
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. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded strang...more
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. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded strang...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
April 4th 2006
by WestBow Press
(first published 2006)
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Aug 11, 2008
Carrie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Rita, Barb, Christina
Recommended to Carrie by:
Amazon
Shelves:
all-time-favorites
I can see this as a Hallmark presents film at Christmas.... but still really enjoyed it. Be prepared with a BOX of tissues to accompany you on the reading journey, i WEPT the last 100 pages.
The story is centered around a man born with incredible talents to a unique calling, and a Pollyanna-ish southern girl battling a heart defect that makes each day a fight, and a treasure. The author brings to life some really endearing characters and I love his use of quotes from literature... ranging from Lo...more
The story is centered around a man born with incredible talents to a unique calling, and a Pollyanna-ish southern girl battling a heart defect that makes each day a fight, and a treasure. The author brings to life some really endearing characters and I love his use of quotes from literature... ranging from Lo...more
Even though this book is a little predictable, it is a pleasant read and good for the "heart". It is a story of faith and a story of despair and a story of healing. Some great characters and some great quotes.
4 likes · like · see review
I am very disappointed with the author, his editor, and the publisher of this novel. He did not take the time to properly research the subject matter (heart disorders and transplants). I'm very surprised that the editor and publisher didn't bother to check his facts. The story is not bad, but I couldn't get past the author's complete disregard for accurate information. Many writers take a bit of creative license, but seriously isn't there some sort of code for writers to make a respectable amoun...more
Jan 29, 2009
Melissa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Youth and adults alike
Recommended to Melissa by:
Rachelle Phillips
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and I loved the passages/quotes from other books. It's interesting what we choose to read and when. I have been reading this book as Boston struggles with his health; it was a soothing way to release and deal with the stress of Boston's episodes. It's a great book; I even gained a little anatomy refresher course. :) Although it did take awhile to get into this book, it was definitely worth the time.
For Rachelle, I'm still a little confused with the...more
For Rachelle, I'm still a little confused with the...more
1 like · like · see review
I loved this book. It took me a bit to get used to the writing style, but the story was just so moving. Definitely worth reading. Be sure to have a box of tissues!
Wow, another terrific book about the heart (literally), emotional healing and the power of redemption and love. How refreshing to read a mainstream book that speaks of God, is squeaky clean, even gives a powerful sermon (without being preachy) about the evils of pornography, an unspoken sermon about the evils of drugs, and a storyline that lifts the soul. Being interested in medicine, I also enjoyed what I learned on that front. I highly recommend this book.
5 likes · like · see review
Apr 05, 2013
Laura
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
high school and up
Recommended to Laura by:
Kathy Riches
Shelves:
2013
"Beautiful" the best word to describe this novel. Beautiful language, allusions, quotes, characters, story - all beautiful. You feel like a better person after reading this book. I suspect that if a heart surgeon read it he/she would say it's far-fetched, but I'm not a heart surgeon so I loved it! If you do buy the book, part of the proceeds go towards saving children with heart disease.
Along with helping a great cause, there are so many quotable quotes, that I will probably buy the book just so...more
Along with helping a great cause, there are so many quotable quotes, that I will probably buy the book just so...more
After a personal tragedy struck many years ago, Reese has taken up a hermit-like existence. Holed up in his lakeside home, Reese is embroiled in self-pity, isolation, and bitterness (although the author never indicates that these are negative!). Then, one morning, he meets a very sick little girl, Annie, who helps him confront his past.
The novel seems to accept how we can try to flail ourselves over our guilt, thus vividly portraying works righteousness, which leads to bitterness (which means we...more
The novel seems to accept how we can try to flail ourselves over our guilt, thus vividly portraying works righteousness, which leads to bitterness (which means we...more
"I want to get in the business of making God-shaped cheeseburgers."
I'm so glad my coworker Sarah lent me this book, and what timing... the book opens on the 4th of July and I read it while staycationing for the 4th.
Amazon bills the book as "Religion & Spirituality › Fiction" and I'm glad I didn't know that when I started reading, because I'm averse to Christian fiction. (My baggage, not the book's fault.) There were a couple times when I felt a little preached at, but mostly I liked the Go...more
I'm so glad my coworker Sarah lent me this book, and what timing... the book opens on the 4th of July and I read it while staycationing for the 4th.
Amazon bills the book as "Religion & Spirituality › Fiction" and I'm glad I didn't know that when I started reading, because I'm averse to Christian fiction. (My baggage, not the book's fault.) There were a couple times when I felt a little preached at, but mostly I liked the Go...more
This is another book that my book club read a few years ago that I bought at the used book sale. It is o.k. A medallion on the cover states that it won a Christian Book Award. It was a little preachy in the beginning and I wasn't sure that I would finish it, but it got better.
It is the story of a man who, as a child, met and fell in love with a girl who had a weak heart. He devotes his life to becoming a heart surgeon expressly to save her life. They marry and he has a chance to implant a new h...more
It is the story of a man who, as a child, met and fell in love with a girl who had a weak heart. He devotes his life to becoming a heart surgeon expressly to save her life. They marry and he has a chance to implant a new h...more
My first Charles Martin book so far. I really like this author and I plan to read more of his books. I really like the fact that he is from this part of Florida, and his books incorporate places I am familiar with. (Much more in Wrapped in Rain than in this book, but this book is still close to home) I learned so much about the physical heart, and I loved the passionate main character and the little girl. Very emotional book that will make you want to read straight through to the end.
I liked Chasing Fireflies alot - I am something of a sucker for stories of fathers and children, and it was well done.
This was...well, I can't say I didn't like it. I did. I do like the way he writes about being in love, about loving and cherishing, and I enjoy when people are building things, or engaging in their passion, like rowing or doctoring.
The story was well told and I definitely cried in all the right places. When I was done, though, I felt as though I'd eaten one of those amazing cupca...more
This was...well, I can't say I didn't like it. I did. I do like the way he writes about being in love, about loving and cherishing, and I enjoy when people are building things, or engaging in their passion, like rowing or doctoring.
The story was well told and I definitely cried in all the right places. When I was done, though, I felt as though I'd eaten one of those amazing cupca...more
1 like · like · see review
This is my favorite Charles Martin book that I've read so far. The amount of research and the attention to detail were impressive. I started reading this book in the car on the way to Orlando, and couldn't stop reading or crying for the rest of the day. It was an extremely emotional book, both happy and sad. I like the fact that the author keeps the romance mostly in the background, and focuses on the little girl and the doctor.
This is the sweetest, SWEETEST book I have ever read! Thank you Linda for giving it to me. I have never cried so much, or smiled so much when reading a book. It's the story of the heart-literally and metaphorically. The author, Charles Martin, has created a story of death, rebirth and redemption all centering around a little angel of a girl-Annie. I loved nearly word of this story. I can't wait to read all his other stories.
A really captivating story about self forgiveness. I really enjoyed the style of the author and found the story intriguing.
A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.
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 to 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 abo...more
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 to 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 abo...more
The novel When Crickets Fly by Charles Martin was a great read. The novel switches back and forth in time telling the story of Jonathan 'Reese' Mitchell growing up with, eventually marrying, and then losing Emma to a heart condition she was born with and then withdrawing completely from his life as a renowned cardiovascular surgeon to live as a recluse until he meets Annie, a young girl with the same heart condition. Martin does a superb job of keeping the reader in suspense about Reese's true i...more
I read this for a book club, otherwise, I probably would not have read it. I have mixed feeling about the book and struggle to rate it – maybe a 2.5. I'm being generous with a 3 rating. I do think that it was good storytelling although a bit sappy and Lifetime movie-ish. The story starts slow and is a bit hard to follow in the beginning. The character development is well done. However, Reese totally frustrated me. He should have “come clean” the day he met Annie but then there would not have bee...more
This book was absolutely fantastic! I was a bit disappointed in the ending.
*SPOILER ALERT*
After going into so much detail with the preparations for the surgery, receiving the heart, and the surgery itself, we were led to believe that Annie died. The characters really drew me in so I felt grief in her passing. I'm disappointed that Charles Martin let us believe that for as long as he did. Suddenly Mr. Martin turns around, tells us that she is, in fact, still alive, but doesn't go into much, if...more
*SPOILER ALERT*
After going into so much detail with the preparations for the surgery, receiving the heart, and the surgery itself, we were led to believe that Annie died. The characters really drew me in so I felt grief in her passing. I'm disappointed that Charles Martin let us believe that for as long as he did. Suddenly Mr. Martin turns around, tells us that she is, in fact, still alive, but doesn't go into much, if...more
I don't know what to say except, I loved this book. I would read it again. Mainly because I read it so fast I think I missed some info. It is about a man with a past he does not want to remember, and a little girl who needs a miracle. Together both or their lives improve. The little girl helps him be the man he should be by facing his past, and he helps her as she prepares to receive a new heart. The ups and downs both of these people go through makes you laugh, cry, smile, want to "knock some s...more
Awful! I read this book for my book club, and it was very painful for me. A weird religious vibe to it, with randomly preachy scenes awkwardly jammed into the book. Terribly maudlin. If the author made one more cheesy heart reference (ex: BOY: I want to give you my heart (he meant literally). GIRL: You can't. You already gave it to me.), I would have thrown the book out the window. To be honest, I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. My book club filled me in on the remaining plot line, an...more
I highly recommend this 5-star read of a book! It's a love story. No, I don't mean of the romance genre, though there's romance in it. It's a LOVE story -- with a lot of heart, literally, and on many other subtler but profound levels. It's a book, that in one story, paints a picture using the palette of the human condition -- of our ability to love, to alienate, to forgive, to punish (ourselves or others), to hope, to be frustrated, to have closure, and to begin anew. It's a story that will move...more
Some friends and I just started a book club. If this first book is any indication of how awesome this club will be, then we are in for good times.
When Crickets Cry was a very touching story about a man hiding from his past, a young girl full of hope in spite of her limited chances for survival, and a small town with loving people.
There are a lot of medical details in this story. Typically the amount included would lead me to quite a bit of skimming, but it was fascinating.
The characters were e...more
When Crickets Cry was a very touching story about a man hiding from his past, a young girl full of hope in spite of her limited chances for survival, and a small town with loving people.
There are a lot of medical details in this story. Typically the amount included would lead me to quite a bit of skimming, but it was fascinating.
The characters were e...more
This novel was such a pleasure to read! It was heartwarming and touching in so many ways. As the author explores the topic of loss, Martin also brings two unexpected characters together. The use of a seven-year old little girl to change a lonely man's heart was just so brilliant on the author's part and inspiring to the reader. As the weak seven-year old with heart defects and the widower come to be friends, they work together to patch the holes in their hearts and to change their perspective on...more
this book was slow to grab my attention, but the second half of the book kept my attention and made me want to read quickly to solve the dilemmas in the story. I was especially interested in the authors treatise on"Hope". Quoting from p. 235; "Hope is a flower that sprouts and grows when others pour water upon it. I think sometimes that I spent so much time worrying about how to protect and strengthen the flower--even going so far as to graft in a new stem and root system--that I forgot to simpl...more
A student gave me this book to read and I loved the rich description of the southern town, river,and the many wonderful people who would do anything for little seven year old Annie. Told by Reese, the reader knows he has suffered and shut himself off from almost everyone due to losing his wife, Emma. Emma and Annie both have bad hearts and it is the story of the loss of Emma and meeting Annie that leads Reese to confront his painful past in order to move forward with his future. Martin weaves a...more
I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't get into the characters. I also found the plot totally predictable and knew exactly how the story would go. The main character's actions did not make sense to me as he waited way too long to do the right thing. I found this to be annoying when it was so obvious that he needed to get over his wife's tragic passing and use his God given talent to help a little girl. The writing style was a bit labored too and the details on the medical stuff totally u...more
Was very surprised to LOVE this book! Not my usual genre. I picked it up at my daughter's house...she had it on her bookshelf of "to reads". I had finished the book I was reading and was looking for a fill in until I could choose another one. Much to my complete surprise, I really couldn't put the book down. Finished it the next day and ordered another one of Charles Martin's books for my nook. Loved that one too! (The Mountain Between Us). I will be looking for more books by this author. Incide...more
1 like · like · see review
Fabulous book. I bought this in North Carolina, and really enjoyed the fact that I knew the town this is set in very well. In fact, the beginning action of the book takes place on Savannah Street in Clayton, Ga, and just a few weeks ago I ate lunch at Savannah Street Cafe. Fun stuff.
Not a light, fluffy read, it packs an emotional punch. But it is well worth it. I wish I could give it 4 and 1/2 stars, but I can't, so I'd rather give it 5 than 4. Beautiful and engrossing, and spiritual. Few books...more
Not a light, fluffy read, it packs an emotional punch. But it is well worth it. I wish I could give it 4 and 1/2 stars, but I can't, so I'd rather give it 5 than 4. Beautiful and engrossing, and spiritual. Few books...more
I loved this story - couldn't put it down, and cried quite a few tears too. A very touching story of a man trying to recover from the death of the wife he loved so much, and how his heart is healed. The author does a great job moving back and forth through time in the main character's life, keeping you guessing and building the story, making it very interesting for the reader. And because I love reading novels where health-related topics are included, I really loved how the author wove into the...more
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I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, on the St. John’s river. Somewhat of a Huck Finn childhood. Most afternoons were spent mullet fishing, canoeing, pegging cars with overripe tangerines—it really got fun when the red tail lights lit and the reverse gears ground metal on metal, or the backyard Superbowl which we replayed most everyday. Through high school, football was my life. School was the avenue th...more
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“People marvel at the genius of Mozart because he supposedly wrote "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" at the age of three and composed his first symphony at the age of twelve. And yes, of course he was a genius, but another way to look at it is that he just discovered early what it was God made him to do. That's all. For some reason, God gave him a little extra, or a little something different, and Mozart found out what that was and then got a head start on using it. Of course he was brilliant, but that's not the point. The point is he knew, and then he got to work.”
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13 people liked it
“...but maybe life is like that - you never know when something that's been hidden is going to rise up and bite you, or glow with a golden hue.”
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10 people liked it
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Aug 04, 2008 08:47pm