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 April 29, 2020
So after reading Beach Music for millionth time, I did some research and learned the book was originally over 1000 pages but was condensed at the insistence of his publisher. I would LOVE if the publisher would go back and release the whole uncut book. His writing is to be savored. It cannot be binged or gulped. I find the older I get, the more I understand his artistry and nostalgia.
Agency Reply:
Jennifer, my partner Marly Rusoff was around at that time. The truth is different than what some journalist might've said... there were repetitions of scenes. Pat always wrote tight small script on those yellow legal pads... so it was only after someone transcribed his handwriting (not an easy job!) into a digital file that it could be looked at properly. He always received those typed pages to add, cut, comment and actually 1000 hand written pages might easily become the 768 pages of a final book which no more than 30 pages cut. Pat was grateful to his editor Nan Talese.
For more details on this and many other matters see the upcoming biography "Man on Fire" by Catherine Seltzer; a definitive work on Pat.
Thank you for your love of Pat Conroy writing...
For more details on this and many other matters see the upcoming biography "Man on Fire" by Catherine Seltzer; a definitive work on Pat.
Thank you for your love of Pat Conroy writing...