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.
Read what others are saying or click the button to add your own thoughts
wrote on August 11, 2023
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
Agency Reply:
Claire (if I may), I am a bit "speechless" or, to make up a word, "writeless" about how to respond... It is rewarding to me to receive all these messages. True, Pat Conroy is an unique writer of the English language. I read all his books in the order they were written after having read them randomly, so that I could follow his ascendance to majesty... Than you for finding him...