When Crickets Cry (Charles Martin)

When Crickets Cry is a work of fiction that takes place, primarily, in a sleepy southern town. The narrator has suffered a significant loss and through a relationship with a young girl and her aunt, begins to heal. The narrator also has an interesting relationship with his brother-in-law, one that is explored and explained more than most male relationships of this nature in other novels.

The novel offers interesting insights into the heart as the physiological and emotional center of the human experience. At times I found myself thinking that the author was "forcing the issue," trying too hard, or at the very least, a bit sappy. In the next moment, though, I was struck by the narrator (and hence, the author's) profound articulation of what it means to experience loss and healing - in short, what it means to live (and truly love living).

I'd rate this as one step above an "easy beach read." It certainly is a page-turner. The material is sometimes intense, the imagery beautiful, and the ending - well, you'll have to find out for yourself.

I'm interested to read something else by Charles Martin to see if it helps me resolve my ambivalence...

My next review: The Life of Pi