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 Pat’s books or anything else that comes to mind in this guest book. We, the family, 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.
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wrote on June 14, 2019
I would like to express my gratitude to Pat for writing The Great Santini. I am a former naval aviator, flying off aircraft carriers in a Douglas Skyraider.. Pat's childhood and mine are similar.
I was raised by an insecure, hot tempered and controlling father. Reading Pat's accounting of his childhood validated my own feelings and reactions. Dealing with them is a lifelong process and it is a constant struggle to stay ahead of them and not fall back into the same pattern with my own children.
I'm sure Pat's story has helped others as well as myself. I regret that I didn't read The Great Santini and The Death of Santini until I was 81 years old.
I was raised by an insecure, hot tempered and controlling father. Reading Pat's accounting of his childhood validated my own feelings and reactions. Dealing with them is a lifelong process and it is a constant struggle to stay ahead of them and not fall back into the same pattern with my own children.
I'm sure Pat's story has helped others as well as myself. I regret that I didn't read The Great Santini and The Death of Santini until I was 81 years old.
Agency Reply:
I am so happy to see your message. It means so much to so many people who identify with Pat's characters in "The Great Santini" - by now we all know what that means...