Pat very much enjoyed hearing from his readers and was often moved and inspired by your comments.
As you know, Pat Conroy died on March 4, 2016. This site continues to be managed by his longtime friends and literary agents. You may join in a community of his readers by sharing your comments about Patโs books or anything else that comes to mind in this guest book. We, the family,ย the agents and the friends are deeply moved by the outpouring of love you, his beloved readers, wrote here… Much gratitude to you all; Thank you.
Read what others are saying or click the button to add your own thoughts
172 entries.
Pat Conroy remains part of my everyday life via a collection of his quotes, writing stored in an app on my smart phone. His words inspire and serve as a comforting balm for sulking. I go every single day to take a dive into the language that feels like home. The cadence of his writing beats inside me. I am a daughter of the Southeast and spent a decade in South Carolina for and after graduate school. No one says it better than Pat His words, "still glow and quiver with life", within.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Conroy after being a voracious reader of his many books, even his cookbook, which is still one of my favorites. In my memories on Facebook, eight years ago I posted a link to a blog post he wrote titled "The Teachers Of My Life", and I couldn't access the post. Is there any way you can repost his blog entry or email me the blog post? I would appreciate it so much. I will always be a fan of Pat--he could touch you with words in a way no other author can.
Wonderful man; wonderful writer; wonderful writing. I fell in love with the voice and character of the person who wrote The Water is Wide, and I loved the two other books I read, ignoring SOME literary criticism that did not appreciate the soaring skill it took to put these stories on paper where readers from all walks could find them and become immersed in and make them a part of our lives.
So sorry such a good man left us so soon. I would love to have managed to attend a reading with The Actual Pat Conroy.
Well, such is not to be. To all who knew him and loved him and were loved by him, good on you guys โฆ
So sorry such a good man left us so soon. I would love to have managed to attend a reading with The Actual Pat Conroy.
Well, such is not to be. To all who knew him and loved him and were loved by him, good on you guys โฆ
Thank you for maintaining this website. Now that I have found it - I plan to read it deeply. I actually went to a wedding at Beaufort, SC, and lived in Charleston at the Air Force Base for two years. My father was a pilot as well, and even he talked about how touch the Marines were.
Pat's book was made into a movie - The Great Santini - which I greatly enjoyed., though I did not see it till 2010. Mary Edwards Wertsch wrote the book "Military Brats, Life Inside the Fortress". Pat wrote the introduction to that one. That book changed my life, and changed my relationships with my mother and my father for the better. You have no idea how much that book was needed, nor the impact that it had on me, and Mary's book would have never happened without Pat writing "The Great Santini".
By the time I was 14, I had lived in 10 different Air Force Bases. Then we moved to Oak Ridge, which is if you don't know it, part of the Manhattan project.
The childhood sticks with me as well. The only person who truly understands a Military Brat, is another Military Brat.
Thank you for doing this. I am looking forward to reading the blog.
In my own case, I finally had to stand up to Dad when I was around 38 years old. We ended up having a really good relationship the last 20 years of his life.
Wishing you well,
Kathryn
Pat's book was made into a movie - The Great Santini - which I greatly enjoyed., though I did not see it till 2010. Mary Edwards Wertsch wrote the book "Military Brats, Life Inside the Fortress". Pat wrote the introduction to that one. That book changed my life, and changed my relationships with my mother and my father for the better. You have no idea how much that book was needed, nor the impact that it had on me, and Mary's book would have never happened without Pat writing "The Great Santini".
By the time I was 14, I had lived in 10 different Air Force Bases. Then we moved to Oak Ridge, which is if you don't know it, part of the Manhattan project.
The childhood sticks with me as well. The only person who truly understands a Military Brat, is another Military Brat.
Thank you for doing this. I am looking forward to reading the blog.
In my own case, I finally had to stand up to Dad when I was around 38 years old. We ended up having a really good relationship the last 20 years of his life.
Wishing you well,
Kathryn
Pat Conroy is my favorite writer! The Prince of Tides is my favorite book of all time, I reread it every few years. This was the book that made me a true reader. I do love all of his books. I really enjoyed the time when he came to our area for a discussion about his books and the movies that were made from his books. He introduced the book and movie, then we would watch the movie. It was a great full weekend enjoying the movies and hearing all the details he gave about writing the books. He was so personable and interesting. I often think of how enjoyable that was, and how much I learned about him personally! Thanks for this space! He left us too soon!
Iโve really enjoyed Pat Conroyโs many novels. What an author! Sad he left the world. Too too soon. Iโm amazed of his resilience surviving a toxic family environment.. Iโm reading The Lost Season now. And enjoying every chapter.
I was watching a To Tell The Truth dated April 17, 1974 on YouTube an lo and behold, there was a segment with Pat when he taught the impoverished youth leading to The Water is Wide. Iโm willing to bet that not many folks knew he was in that show. It sure was a pleasant surprise!
Hi
My favorite author of all time: Pat Conroy. Even though it has been a few years since he passed, I still look for anything and everything to read or listen to anything about him.
My questions are: Will the Death of Santini be made into a movie? and Are there any writings (books?) that will come out posthumously? Thanks PD
ps: two facts: my ex husband was in Pat's Class at the Citadel and he was born on my birthday only two years earlier.
My favorite author of all time: Pat Conroy. Even though it has been a few years since he passed, I still look for anything and everything to read or listen to anything about him.
My questions are: Will the Death of Santini be made into a movie? and Are there any writings (books?) that will come out posthumously? Thanks PD
ps: two facts: my ex husband was in Pat's Class at the Citadel and he was born on my birthday only two years earlier.
I read "The Water is Wide" at the age of 14 and decided to be a teacher. I have spent my career teaching those of poverty in big cities and small towns, I don't believe I would have became a teacher if I hadn't read "The Water is Wide". I will retire in May knowing that I have touched the lives of many because Mr. Conroy touched my heart and soul with his story.
Pat Conroy so touched my life. I'm now trying to write about my life and what I went through. Every now and again I go back to Prince of Tides as I have often identified myself with Tom Wingo.
One of the great joys of my life is when I can introduce people I know or have just met to Pat Conroy. The Conroy magic never fails!
One of the great joys of my life is when I can introduce people I know or have just met to Pat Conroy. The Conroy magic never fails!
Simply put, I don't know where I would be without Pat Conroy. I first read The Great Santini during my sophomore year at the College of Charleston and I was hooked. Then, as I found myself totally isolated and away from Charleston during the early stags of the pandemic, Pat's description and stories of the lowcountry in South of Broad, Lords of Discipline and Beach Music provided an outlet for being far away from the city.
Pat's stories have given me such a rich perspective on the world and the relationships within it. He has shown me that turbulence and stubbornness often comes from a place of love. I will continue to carry these lessons with me throughout the rest of my life.
Pat's stories have given me such a rich perspective on the world and the relationships within it. He has shown me that turbulence and stubbornness often comes from a place of love. I will continue to carry these lessons with me throughout the rest of my life.
I'm a lawyer who still fancies herself as, in a way, a writer. I suspect there are a few of us out in the world. I was reading something particularly odious from opposing counsel today and I very much wanted to tell him to flush it down his client's fragrant commode. Decades later, I have bits of Pat's writing firing neurons in my brain. For all of my life, Pat's writing will be part of my soul. Bless his spirit, and bless all who loved him.
I fell in love with Pat Conroy's words in 1991, and never stopped cherishing them since then. Losing his voice in 2016 was a blow; I actually laid my head down at work and cried.
To the Wonderful Pat Conroy Community,
Even though I have been an avid lifelong reader, I read my first Pat Conroy book just last month (July 2023) at the age of 63. That book, The Great Santini, rocked my world. I was stunned by the beauty, power, lyricism, and heartbreak of Mr. Conroy's prose. As I put the book down, I vowed to read every work in the author's canon. I dove straight into The Water Is Wide--loved it. In addition, I had the privilege of living in Beaufort SC from 2012-13, so it was a treat and a delight to realize that Pat was an adopted son of Beaufort and the Low Country, areas that remain dear to my heart.
Just now, I finished The Death of Santini. (literally, like 10 minutes ago!), and felt compelled to come to this site to pay my respects. The eulogy Pat wrote for The Death of Santini that are the closing words of the book is pure genius. The entire book is pure genius -- a powerhouse of joy and pain, mystery and struggle, and the eternal cycle of family, especially this enigmatic dysfunctional Conroy one that Pat illuminated so brilliantly through his literature. I believe Pat Conroy to be one of the very finest of American writers. I'm humbled and honored to be finally reading his books. I will read every last one of them until there are no more left!
With appreciation, love, and gratitude,
Claire Gunderson
Even though I have been an avid lifelong reader, I read my first Pat Conroy book just last month (July 2023) at the age of 63. That book, The Great Santini, rocked my world. I was stunned by the beauty, power, lyricism, and heartbreak of Mr. Conroy's prose. As I put the book down, I vowed to read every work in the author's canon. I dove straight into The Water Is Wide--loved it. In addition, I had the privilege of living in Beaufort SC from 2012-13, so it was a treat and a delight to realize that Pat was an adopted son of Beaufort and the Low Country, areas that remain dear to my heart.
Just now, I finished The Death of Santini. (literally, like 10 minutes ago!), and felt compelled to come to this site to pay my respects. The eulogy Pat wrote for The Death of Santini that are the closing words of the book is pure genius. The entire book is pure genius -- a powerhouse of joy and pain, mystery and struggle, and the eternal cycle of family, especially this enigmatic dysfunctional Conroy one that Pat illuminated so brilliantly through his literature. I believe Pat Conroy to be one of the very finest of American writers. I'm humbled and honored to be finally reading his books. I will read every last one of them until there are no more left!
With appreciation, love, and gratitude,
Claire Gunderson
I "stole" Pat's golf cart!! While a cadet, I was a member of the men's golf team. One tournament, my senior year of 1995, was held on Fripp Island, I took the younger cadet team members to the club house bar the night before our first round, we were able to sneak out that night after a few drinks. We left the bar, and a baby blue golf cart was parked outsideโฆ I took it upon myself to further entertain and we took the baby blue cart for a joy rideโฆ ultimately the Fripp Island security guards found us, took us back to our lodging and returned the golf cart to its rightful ownerโฆ.
The following year, at the same event the team went to an alumniโs house for dinner and Mr. Conroy joined the occasionโฆ Upon his arrival in the baby blue golf cart he asked the boys if his golf cart looked familiarโฆ it was then they realized they had stolen Pat Conroy's golf cart the previous year...
The following year, at the same event the team went to an alumniโs house for dinner and Mr. Conroy joined the occasionโฆ Upon his arrival in the baby blue golf cart he asked the boys if his golf cart looked familiarโฆ it was then they realized they had stolen Pat Conroy's golf cart the previous year...
I just showed a group of friends the film, The Water is Wide. I wanted to introduce them to Pat Conroy as I know they will love him as much as I do.
When I was first introduced to Pat Conroy, I had been refusing to read any books written by a man. I felt that if the protagonist was a woman, there was something disingenuous of a male author to think he could have a woman's voice. Then I read, Prince of Tides. A terrible story written so beautifully with the descriptions of nature and the deep soulful emotions from a man so deep and passionate, I had to read everything he had written. And, I did. I even read his book about baskeball. I know nothing about sports and have never had any interest in sports. But, this book is not just about basketball.
I was visiting my cousin in Florida when we found out that Mr. Conroy had died. We both burst into tears. No more Pat Conroy books. Oh no!
Having found this site, I am excited to find out about the authors he loved and you can bet, I'll be reading them too.
Rest in peace, Mr. Conroy. Thanks for the love.
When I was first introduced to Pat Conroy, I had been refusing to read any books written by a man. I felt that if the protagonist was a woman, there was something disingenuous of a male author to think he could have a woman's voice. Then I read, Prince of Tides. A terrible story written so beautifully with the descriptions of nature and the deep soulful emotions from a man so deep and passionate, I had to read everything he had written. And, I did. I even read his book about baskeball. I know nothing about sports and have never had any interest in sports. But, this book is not just about basketball.
I was visiting my cousin in Florida when we found out that Mr. Conroy had died. We both burst into tears. No more Pat Conroy books. Oh no!
Having found this site, I am excited to find out about the authors he loved and you can bet, I'll be reading them too.
Rest in peace, Mr. Conroy. Thanks for the love.
I wanted to reach out as I am re-reading "My Losing Season" again after reading it over 10 years ago. The descriptions Mr. Conroy writes about the beauty and sorrows of basketball truly hit home as does his love of the game. Clearly, basketball is a great metaphor of his life... I wished I could thank him personally for his book that has touched me and brought back many thoughts and feelings from my own life.
Iโve read every book Pat Conroy wrote multiple times. Each time Iโve been absorbed in the story and touched in the deep recesses of my soul.
I too had a father like the Great Santini. A career military man who believed family was a contact sport. By the grace of God, this wounded son did not become an abusive husband or father.
Pat was such a gifted wordsmith. You just fall in love with so many of his characters.
My love for Charleston was birthed as a result of reading his books. Late in Patโs life while traveling in the Charleston area, I hoped to meet him and communicate what his life work had meant. Unfortunately it wasnโt meant to be.
God speed Pat Conroy. Thank you for touching my soul in such an extraordinary manner. May the Lord keep you.
I too had a father like the Great Santini. A career military man who believed family was a contact sport. By the grace of God, this wounded son did not become an abusive husband or father.
Pat was such a gifted wordsmith. You just fall in love with so many of his characters.
My love for Charleston was birthed as a result of reading his books. Late in Patโs life while traveling in the Charleston area, I hoped to meet him and communicate what his life work had meant. Unfortunately it wasnโt meant to be.
God speed Pat Conroy. Thank you for touching my soul in such an extraordinary manner. May the Lord keep you.
I just finished reading The Lords of Discipline, and it has left me reeling for the whole day. What a hauntingly beautiful work. Reading this book I felt transported to another world, the balmy streets of Charleston, and I didn't want to leave! It made this Virginia boy miss the special charms of home. Also it was very moving to see the struggles and camaraderie of young men united in a common bond, and the sensitive, conflicted soul of Will McLean both resisting and appreciating the rituals of the Institute. Thank you for writing this book, Pat Conroy, and God Bless