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Thank you for your new novel, SOUTH OF BROAD. I've been waiting 14 years, since BEACH MUSIC. I will re-read this book, as I have done the others. There is less poetry in this one and more reality, I feel. Guess that's what happens when we all grow older. You and your friend Anne Rivers Siddons are my faves, not to mention Ms. Margaret Mitchell's epic. I think Southern writers capture places better than any others. Maybe sometime I'll visit beautiful Charleston.

Sat, Aug 15, 2009 16:10 pm 117 Email Remove

Mr. Conroy,
My elementary and high school prinicipal was once your high school basketball coach. What a small world. You also did a paper that contained other members of the high school that I went to. Just to let you know, Mrs. Swing passed away last year of cancer and I see Mr. Swing a couple of times a week eating breakfast. Just thought that I would let you know.

Sat, Aug 15, 2009 15:41 pm 116 Email Remove

just finished south of broad--yes it does have occassional overwriting and some awful people BUT the incredible love of the toads extended family more than makes up for it--miss it already but will reread soon--thanks pat

Sat, Aug 15, 2009 09:34 am 115 Email Remove

I just picked up South of Broad and can't wait to read it. I want to put my life on hold and relish in it! Beach Music is my favorite book and I have read it every January since 2000. Your characters are so rich and alive. Thank you, thank you for writing another novel!!!

Sat, Aug 15, 2009 09:05 am 114 Email Remove

I just finished reading South of Broad, and am puzzled why you changed the names of Charleston High School and Bishop England High school, but didn't change Hanahan High, Summerville High, The Citadel, USC, etc. Honestly, it was irritating.

The book was O.K., but I did get tired of the wordy descriptions and also the endless banter between Toad and Ike, and the rest of them, too. A little bit of that goes a long way.

I also did not care for how the book was split up - there wasn't any need to do that - you should have finished the high school saga, then skipped 20 years. I didn't enjoy the second part because of too many unanswered questions (how did they get together?).

Sat, Aug 15, 2009 01:16 am 113 Email Remove

Amazing as always. Those Yankee and left coaster reviewers don't know a great Southern novel. That said, I continue my love of your works. Please get Beach Music made into a movie and don't make us wait 14 years for another masterpiece.

Fri, Aug 14, 2009 17:03 pm 112 Email Remove

Beach Music is the best novel ever written. Please please make it into a movie. I will be reading South of Broad a few pages a day just to savor my enjoyment. Pat Conroy is the greatest author of all time. I thank him for my pleasure.

Fri, Aug 14, 2009 15:06 pm 111 Email Remove

I picked up my first Pat Conroy book when I was in high school, around 1984, it was The Lords of Discipline. Beach Music is my all time favourite book period, and I read tons of books! Pat Conroy is the finest American Storyteller of this modern time! I just saw SOUTH OF BROAD today and did a happy dance in Borders. Can't wait to open it and begin reading! His words are lyrical, his books are brain candy.

Fri, Aug 14, 2009 13:17 pm 110 Email Remove

South of Broad came into my home on Wednesday and was devoured by noon on Thursday. Southern Boys and their mamas, Military brats, mother of two sons. How does Pat know my life so intimately and restore a sense of sanity to it? I've read every word published since the first one -- each, pefect, evocative word in the most descriptive prose published. No one brings the Low Country to life like Pat Conroy. While not a native, I graduated high school in Charleston in 1966 and sent my son to USC. If God is good, our paths will cross someday. I dream of it -- Love, and God bless, Linda Underwood

Fri, Aug 14, 2009 11:19 am 109 Email Remove

I just bought South of Broad and am slowly savoring each sentence. Your books are worth waiting for. I give them to my friends. I began with Prince of Tides and have worked my way backward and forward over the years. My Losing Season is the only book I know that celebrates the importance of failure. Thank you for persevering!

Fri, Aug 14, 2009 09:06 am 108 Email Remove