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 November 24, 2019
I regret having procrastinated so much. I wanted to meet Pat Conroy when he came down to the Miami Book Fair and felt too scared. What if he was mean? Impatient? My classmates told me he was no such thing. He was hilarious, friendly and full of cheeky comments. I told myself I would go the next year but he wasn't featured...
It came down to writing a single letter and hoping that he would read it and possibly, write back. I left many letters unfinished, un-mailed. When he passed away, I was in disbelief. The lively man I saw in pictures couldn't just be... gone. It felt like I had lost a friend.
I would read his books on the school bus and then, late into the night. There were times when I laughed so hard at his writing, I'd have to quickly clap a hand over my mouth to be quiet and not wake my parents. There were other times when I'd set a book down for a few moments so I could hold in tears during a sad moment. I wish I hadn't procrastinated. I wish I could have at least let him know once that his words were a lifeline for me.
When the time was right, I got my little sister a copy of "The Great Santini." She called me after the first chapter to ask me if I'd be "down" to try the mushroom soup incident sometime during Thanksgiving and we laughed at the thought of orchestrating such a thing in front of uptight relatives. When she finished, she asked me with all seriousness, if we could go to the Carolinas one day and see this wonderful place for ourselves. His descriptions had intrigued her just as they did me.
I imagine that somewhere in Heaven, Pat is sitting by a dock over beautiful, clear water. In his hands, he opens a large oyster shell and the air is suddenly perfumed with the gift of his prose.
Thank you, Pat. You've given so much to so many.
It came down to writing a single letter and hoping that he would read it and possibly, write back. I left many letters unfinished, un-mailed. When he passed away, I was in disbelief. The lively man I saw in pictures couldn't just be... gone. It felt like I had lost a friend.
I would read his books on the school bus and then, late into the night. There were times when I laughed so hard at his writing, I'd have to quickly clap a hand over my mouth to be quiet and not wake my parents. There were other times when I'd set a book down for a few moments so I could hold in tears during a sad moment. I wish I hadn't procrastinated. I wish I could have at least let him know once that his words were a lifeline for me.
When the time was right, I got my little sister a copy of "The Great Santini." She called me after the first chapter to ask me if I'd be "down" to try the mushroom soup incident sometime during Thanksgiving and we laughed at the thought of orchestrating such a thing in front of uptight relatives. When she finished, she asked me with all seriousness, if we could go to the Carolinas one day and see this wonderful place for ourselves. His descriptions had intrigued her just as they did me.
I imagine that somewhere in Heaven, Pat is sitting by a dock over beautiful, clear water. In his hands, he opens a large oyster shell and the air is suddenly perfumed with the gift of his prose.
Thank you, Pat. You've given so much to so many.
Agency Reply:
Rachele,
Thank you so much for your message tonight. Your words moved me greatly. Pat is kept alive through his books, through the kindness of his readers willing to take the time out of their lives to share the impact his books had on so many of us. I so appreciate the time and heart you put into your lovely message.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I feel the need to somehow acknowledge you and all others who gather here. I hope you will come back often.
Thank you so much for your message tonight. Your words moved me greatly. Pat is kept alive through his books, through the kindness of his readers willing to take the time out of their lives to share the impact his books had on so many of us. I so appreciate the time and heart you put into your lovely message.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I feel the need to somehow acknowledge you and all others who gather here. I hope you will come back often.