Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
"Men spend their lives asking Who am I when the real question is Whose am I? I don't think you can answer the first until you've settled the second. First horse, then cart. Identity does not grow out of action until it has taken root in belonging."
Martin, Charles. Chasing Fireflies. Nashville,
Thomas Nelson, 2007.
Charles Martin understands and poignantly illustrates in this 2007 novel that deep in the heart of every child - particularly in the heart of a boy - is a desire to be accepted, to be loved, and to belong. He crafts a tale which is worthy of recognition on Father's Day.
Chase Walker's earliest - and only - childhood memory of his father leaves him with more questions than answers. It's vividly imprinted on his memory, but he can't remember his father's name or face, or even his own name, for that matter. The remainder of his early childhood memories center around the string of foster homes and children's homes which served as a revolving door until his foster placement with a man who introduces himself as "Uncle Willee."
The author weaves together the stories of Chase, Uncle Willee, and a young boy whose past is shrouded in mystery. Chase, a reporter assigned to track down the child's story, has also spent years investigating his beloved Uncle Willee's previous conviction and inexplicable pardon for a felony involving millions of dollars. He can't justify the community's villification and hatred of Willee against his perspective of 'Unc.' To make matters worse, William McFarland refuses to tell him anything. Chase's prodigal cousin, Tommye, however, has finally returned home and is ready to light the fuse on family secrets. Will her quest to bring what has been hidden in darkness into the light bring healing or destruction?
Due to the first person narrative style of storytelling, the reader's sense of direction may get a bit muddled. Some may find it difficult to follow the constant transitioning between the many layers of past and present, but the ending is worth the ride. Some readers may also find the fractured family dynamics a bit darker than is typical in Christian fiction.
While this isn't my favorite Charles Martin novel (I'll share some of my faves later this summer), it speaks deeply to the bond between young men and their fathers or the men who step in as father figures. It explores the fractured relationships often present within families, yet offers the hope that love can overcome great obstacles. If you're looking for a Father's Day read to honor a man who loved you fiercely and unconditionally, the author builds a great case for the importance of the love of a father in this novel. (And don't miss the afterword, which is always a treasure at the end of each Charles Martin's novel.)