Charlie Finn had to grow up fast, living alone by age sixteen. Highly intelligent, he earned a life-changing scholarship to Harvard, where he learned how to survive and thrive on the outskirts of privileged society. That skill served him well in the cutthroat business world, as it does in more lucrative but dangerous ventures he now operates off the coast of Miami. Charlie tries to separate relationships from work. But when his choices produce devastating consequences, he sets out to right wrongs, traveling to Central America where he will meet those who have paid for his actions, including a woman and her young daughter. Will their fated encounter present Charlie with a way to seek the redemption he thought was impossible–and free his heart to love one woman as he never knew he could?
Charles Martin earned his B.A. in English from Florida State University and his M.A. in Journalism and Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University. He served one year at Hampton University as an adjunct professor in the English Department and as a doctoral fellow at Regent. In 1999, he left a career in business to pursue his writing. He and his wife, Christy, live a stone’s throw from the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, Florida, with their three boys: Charlie, John T., and Rives. When he’s not writing, Charles fishes with his boys, works in the yard with Christy, coaches t-ball, and kneels by his boys’ bed at night.
My Impressions:
Charles Martin’s latest book, Water from My Heart, is a prime example of why I return again and again to this talented author. Finely crafted and told from the first person perspective of the main character, this novel takes the reader on a journey of moral and spiritual growth. I loved this book and really look forward to discussing it with my book club.
Charlie Finn is a man without a moral compass. From childhood he has been allowed and even encouraged to do what it takes to make money and to survive. From selling dope in high school, to playing poker in college and then legal plundering in corporate life, Charlie is never satisfied with the payoff. Living an island dream and helping to run a boutique drug organization, Charlie is finally confronted with the consequences of his choices. When he crosses paths with a woman who lives a life of integrity and compassion, Charlie wonders if he can ever be redeemed.
Charlie is an extremely complex character. Despite his many flaws, I connected with him immediately. A lost soul desperate to find meaning, his drifting through life is not so different from many people. As he tells his story through present time action and past recollections, the reader sees the struggles, the guilt and the longing that Charlie endures. As in all of Martin’s novels, secondary characters are well-developed and provide great compliments to the story. Rich description brings the setting to life. And the overall theme of redemption is naturally woven throughout the book.
I listened to the audiobook version of Water from My Heart, and it was excellent too. My book club meets next week. Have you read this book? We would love to know your thoughts.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
Great for Book Clubs.
To purchase this book, click HERE.
(I purchased the audio version of this book from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I’ve read a couple of his but not this one yet. Sounds interesting!
I think it’s one of my favorites now.