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Where the River Ends
Where the River Ends
Author: Charles Martin
In this sentimental story about a terminal cancer patient's demise, Martin (When Crickets Cry) examines the lengths to which a loving husband will go for his dying wife. Doss Michaels, a portrait painter with a "trailer trash" background, marries Charleston, S.C., debutante Abbie Eliot Coleman, raised primarily by her demanding U.S...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780767926980
ISBN-10: 0767926986
Publication Date: 7/15/2008
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 38

4 stars, based on 38 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

patmat avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 175 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This style of this book sometimes takes sidetrips that take you a moment to switch gears, but once you get into the book, you will know it is worth the effort at the beginning. A beautiful story of love, hope, life, and dying. If you have read any of Charles Martin's books, you know that you will be treated to wonderfully lush descriptions of places, people, and feelings.
HeartForAfrica avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a wonderful love story. There is a sticker on the front, "warning: this book may break your heart." So, you know from the start it is going to be sad. However, the story is so full of love and beauty that it offsets the sad parts. The characters are well developed and the story line held my interest from start to finish. You will learn a few things about Charleston, the St. Marys River, famous artists and their paintings, and most importantly the struggles and challenges of dealing with cancer.

I enjoyed this story thoroughly and highly recommend this as a good read.
recyclist1954 avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is as much a story of a great, though seemingly improbable love, as it is the tale of a couple's final canoe trip down a fabled Southern river, the St. Mary's. The author intertwines the two, telling us about this fictional couple and their great love, and their effort to do all of the things on her "bucket list," as it were, during their shared final voyage. Theirs is an enduring love, one that endures both family pressure and personal agony, to the very end of their trip together. The book also offers glimpses into the life of the South, as seen through the eyes of this traveler while on the trip, and through what she shows him as she opens her world to him. And it speaks of the heart and mind of the artist he is and will become. Be prepared, however: this book offers a lot of detailed description of the river and its life, its history and how navigating this waterway is not simple and certainly never easy. Still, reading this book is well worth the trip. You will be changed by the voyage.
bothrootes avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 207 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
When Doss, a struggling artist, rescues Abbie from a would be rapist, he has no idea how his life will change because of it. Although Abbies father, the past govenor and present senator from Charleston does everything he can to discourage Abbie from becoming involved with Doss, they fall in love and marry. After many years of a wonderfully happy marriage, Doss discovers a lump in Abbie's breast and life crashes from there. Abbie's last wish is to take a trip down the river in a canoe and to check off 10 items from a wish list she has made. Doss does everything he can to make her wishes come true. The characters are well developed and the story is one that I'll definitely remember and recommend to others.
reviewed Where the River Ends on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book is masterpiece. It is well written. The author uses such detail to describe the wife's health and the people they meet along the river. It is a type of book, that when you finish, you wish that it would go on forever. I highly recommend this book for any one that wants to curl up and read on a cozy winter day.
Read All 26 Book Reviews of "Where the River Ends"

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glbirch avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 205 more book reviews
I normally love Charles Martin's books, but this one was difficult for me to get through. It seemed to move slowly - getting through the whole river journey.
reviewed Where the River Ends on + 12 more book reviews
Don't even think about reading this book without getting a box of kleenex - but do read it. Never have I read a more moving love story. I love all of Martin's books, but this may well be the most powerful.
LeahG avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 320 more book reviews
I have read several of this author's books and loved every one of them. He's a great writer who writes from the heart. His characters are worthy of respect and admiration. The characters in this story are no exception, and the trials they go through to achieve a goal are unbelievable. This story is full of of adventure, love and loyalty, with a good deal of controversy thrown in for good measure. I'd read it again.
taransmamaw avatar reviewed Where the River Ends on + 35 more book reviews
Really enjoyed listening to this on a recent trip back from Savannah. It's a heart wrenching story and It made me cry in a few places. I recommend it.
reviewed Where the River Ends on
A sad, moving, uplifting story that moves you to tears. Stays in your memory long after you've finished it.

Book Wiki

Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Doss Michaels (Primary Character)
Abigail (Abbie) Grace Coleman (Primary Character)

Genres: