Book Review By Christine Johnson

Book Review for Where the River Ends By Charles Martin

Review By Christine Johnson
 

In his sixth novel, Where the River Ends, Charles Martin tells the story of undying love and unconditional devotion.

Doss, a somewhat emotionally damaged river rat from Georgia who ends up at The College of Charleston on an art scholarship, falls madly in love with super model, Abigail Grace, the only daughter of a South Carolina senator.  Through her love and passion, Abby helps to heal Doss as well as refine his talent to see and capture beauty in his art. Though they are somewhat mismatched from the perspective of outsiders, mainly her parents, they strive each day to be supportive of each other’s passions.

The first ten years of marriage had been a whirlwind of love and adventure for Doss and Abby Michaels when one day, Abby discovers a lump in her breast.  The next four years of their marriage is riddled with surgeries, scans and toxic cancer medications. These, mixed with constant pain, both emotional as well as physical, only bring the couple closer together and strengthen their love for one another. When it seems that all hope for a full recovery is lost, Abby reminds Doss of a promise he made to her years earlier:  a 130-mile trip down the river that Doss grew up on.The journey, packed with complications and dangers, is their way of stealing just a little more time together without the rest of the world trying to interfere.  As they travel down the river, they manage to check off other items from a list of Abby’s simple goals to reach in life.  Her list, made up of life’s simple pleasures that most people take for granted, is the couple’s last hope to regain some sort of normalcy and pleasure in the time they have left together.

From prologue to afterward, Charles Martin weaves a love story that will soften any heart.  The undying love that Doss has for Abby and the passion that Martin allows the reader to experience is both powerful and unforgettable.