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
188 entries.
wrote on July 2, 2025
And though he no longer walks among us, his words are alive and often find me when I need to reconnect with the parts of myself that are able to feel the greatest depths. I read The Prince of Tides when I was 14, and throughout a decade it became an annual tradition. When struggling with career decisions and my life as an artist, I wrote my first letter to Pat, and he was kind, encouraging, and as authentic as I had hoped. One of his letters hangs by my bed-- a handwritten reminder that fuels many days. Beyond his books, he served as an example of who I wished to be when interacting with the world as an artist and writer. He made everyone feel seen and heard-- with the understanding that we are all in this heartbreaking, soul-enriching, sometimes-silly, sometimes absurd, and always beautiful world together. Thank you, Pat. Always.
Michelle
www.michellessanctuary.com
Michelle
www.michellessanctuary.com
Agency Reply by: Marly Rusoff
Dear Michelle,
Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely message. While Pat is no longer alive, these messages bring comfort to his friends and family. Many of his family members and friends read this guest book with pleasure. I thank you.for this heartfelt entry. It really resonated with me as you clearly saw the kindness behind the great man.
The guest book as well as the Pat Conroy web site was created and managed by my partner in life and literary agency work, Mihai Radulescu. Mihai passed away early in 2024. I miss him greatly! He was also Pat's webmaster, lovingly dubbed by Pat (a true troglodyte and technophobe) as his "Prince of Romania, which was where he was born and raised. As Pat literary agent and longtime friend, I will now do my best to answer beautiful messages such as yours. I am certain Pat would want that. I am also certain Pat enjoyed his encounter with you.
Fond regards, Marly Rusoff
Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely message. While Pat is no longer alive, these messages bring comfort to his friends and family. Many of his family members and friends read this guest book with pleasure. I thank you.for this heartfelt entry. It really resonated with me as you clearly saw the kindness behind the great man.
The guest book as well as the Pat Conroy web site was created and managed by my partner in life and literary agency work, Mihai Radulescu. Mihai passed away early in 2024. I miss him greatly! He was also Pat's webmaster, lovingly dubbed by Pat (a true troglodyte and technophobe) as his "Prince of Romania, which was where he was born and raised. As Pat literary agent and longtime friend, I will now do my best to answer beautiful messages such as yours. I am certain Pat would want that. I am also certain Pat enjoyed his encounter with you.
Fond regards, Marly Rusoff
wrote on June 8, 2025
I never got to meet Pat but The Water Is Wide is a movie that touched my heart in so many ways. To his family ,I know You miss him but his story is not over because he passed away. People will be talking about and reading his books for a long time.
Agency Reply by: Marly Rusoff
Dear Tony, (if I may?),
Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely message. While Pat is no longer alive, these messges bring comfort to his friends and family, as well as to the vast community of his readers who continue to feast on Pat's words, while always wishing for more. Many of his family members and friends read this guest book with pleasure. On their behalf, I thank you.
The guest book as well as the Pat Conroy web site was created and managed by my partner in life and literary agency work, Mihai Radulescu. Mihia passed away early in 2024. He was also Pat's webmaster, lovingly dubbed by Pat (a true troglodyte and technophobe) as his "Prince of Romania," which was where he was born and raised. As Pat's literary agent and longtime friend, I am now prepared to step in and will do my best to answer messges such as yours. I am certain Pat, who was always so grateful to his readers, would want that. I am also certain Pat would have enjoyed meeting you. You must consider visiting his hometown of Beaufort and the Pat Conroy Literary Center and small museum. I was one of the founders. I hope you will check out the website for details on the upcoming Pat Conroy Literary Festival Oct. 24-26th. You might enjoy meeting his friends, family, and other devoted Conroy readers.
Wishing you all the best this 4th of July weekend,
Marly Rusoff
Pat Conroy Literary Center.
Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely message. While Pat is no longer alive, these messges bring comfort to his friends and family, as well as to the vast community of his readers who continue to feast on Pat's words, while always wishing for more. Many of his family members and friends read this guest book with pleasure. On their behalf, I thank you.
The guest book as well as the Pat Conroy web site was created and managed by my partner in life and literary agency work, Mihai Radulescu. Mihia passed away early in 2024. He was also Pat's webmaster, lovingly dubbed by Pat (a true troglodyte and technophobe) as his "Prince of Romania," which was where he was born and raised. As Pat's literary agent and longtime friend, I am now prepared to step in and will do my best to answer messges such as yours. I am certain Pat, who was always so grateful to his readers, would want that. I am also certain Pat would have enjoyed meeting you. You must consider visiting his hometown of Beaufort and the Pat Conroy Literary Center and small museum. I was one of the founders. I hope you will check out the website for details on the upcoming Pat Conroy Literary Festival Oct. 24-26th. You might enjoy meeting his friends, family, and other devoted Conroy readers.
Wishing you all the best this 4th of July weekend,
Marly Rusoff
Pat Conroy Literary Center.
wrote on June 4, 2025
As a 42-year-old man, I have just now discovered Pat's work. To say I am blown away is an understatement. His ability to draw you into the lives of his characters, all of whom are searching for redemption, love, and belonging, is unmatched. While I've only read two books, The Prince of Tides and Lords of Discipline, I am a forever fan. This quote from Prince of Tides has stuck with me: " Where can a man run when he has lost the excuse of games? Where can a man run or where can he hide when he looks behind him and sees that he is only pursued by himself?"
wrote on June 2, 2025
First time reader of PC and about 100 pages in on Prince of Tides, how this book has gripped me and pulled me out of a recent reading rut - thank you, Mr. Conroy for this beautiful story. I wish it would never end ~ JMA
wrote on March 16, 2025
Dear family, friends and followers of Pat Conroy...I have just finished his novel, Beach Music and I am in complete awe. I have been carried through his genius subplots in this book with a zest to learn and savor more. Years ago, I read Prince if Tides and was equally awestruck. I find myself so in need to be part of his community and certainly saddened by our loss of him. I so wish I could have shaken his hand and hugged him with bottomless gratitude. I want to be connected to those of you as I now seek to find and read my next of his treasures.
Blessings to all,
Laurie
Blessings to all,
Laurie
wrote on March 15, 2025
He truly spoke to me. I am of Irish descent which contributes to the attraction, also a writer, his facility with our language is what has always drawn me to him.
wrote on March 10, 2025
I'm currently reading "The Water is Wide." This is the first book I've read by Pat Conroy.
wrote on February 15, 2025
I am saddened to learn that Mr. Conroy is no longer with us. I had hoped to send this correspondence to him. I am currently reading My Losing Season, my introduction to this amazing man. This work has been so cathartic for me, causing me to laugh AND cry. I am a woman that played HS basketball in the 70s and my coach was the spitting image of Mel Thompson. When i got the the part where Pat described the Christmas Practice, I was reminded of our Thanksgiving Day practice, when the coach seemed to take delight in making everyone puke their guts out. Our coach believed in the stick and not the carrot. i never was able to get to the point that Pat did and just shake off all the negativism, therefore, my basketball career was mostly an unhappy one. However, we girls bonded and supported each other through it all and everyone played their hearts out regardless. If anyone else reads this entry and you have not read My Losing Season, please do so. you will not be disappointed.
Donna
Donna
wrote on October 6, 2024
Next year will be a decade since Pat Conroy left us here on planet Earth. I miss knowing he is not among us in the physical sense. I would love to be reading many more of his words. He knew, more exquisitely and exactly than any writer I have ever read,, how to put them together in a way that moved readers so that we will never forget the stories he told. Thankful for this man, his writing, his legacy and that I can pull from my bookshelves at will and read his creations again and again.
Currenty writing a column about the upcoming 9th annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival that will be featured in The Bluffton Sun and Hilton Head Sun...lest we forget the powerful force he was in the literary world and his generosity and sharing with other writers.
Thank you for this space to express my thoughts, however belated they are. I discovered this site today, 10/6/2024.
Currenty writing a column about the upcoming 9th annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival that will be featured in The Bluffton Sun and Hilton Head Sun...lest we forget the powerful force he was in the literary world and his generosity and sharing with other writers.
Thank you for this space to express my thoughts, however belated they are. I discovered this site today, 10/6/2024.
wrote on September 15, 2024
Hello there! Pat Conroy is the BEST. I first read most of his books years ago and I am re reading them all over again…..currently Beach Music….pure poetry. LOTS OF LOVE :))
wrote on August 20, 2024
Along time ago I got to know Pat Conroy very well under unusual circumstances to say the least. I was a domestic relations lawyer in Tucson, Arizona. Pat was then married to my client's ex-wife. The parties to this set-to had two children, and without getting technical we had a two-week battle in Superior Court over jurisdiction of the custody question. Would it be in Arizona or Georgia? Pat had taken to writing my client (a brain surgeon) the nastiest, funniest well written letters describing in great detail the moral, physical, paternal and other faults of my client, some of which I did not know a person could have. All those letters came into evidence, and I got to cross-examine Pat for two days about each of them. the letters were only partially relevant to the legal questions, but the judge gave me wide latitude to go into them. I am now convinced the judge was as curious about the workings of Pat's mind as everyone else in that courtroom. With only a minor toot of my own horn I did not let Pat get the best of me. I was well taught in the art of cross by my father and other trial lawyers before I examined Pat. It did not matter. Pat came across as the brilliant man he was, with emphasis on his wicked and wonderful sense of humor. I felt sorry for my client. Deep down he knew that much of what Pat said about him in the letters was true. Later on, I ran into Pat at an airport and we talked about the case over cocktails. I told him how much I enjoyed the encounter and he said that he did, too. His parting remark to me, with a twinkle in his eye was that I should be thankful he never had the opportunity or inclination to examine my faults...
Amen to that. I miss him.
Amen to that. I miss him.
wrote on July 22, 2024
Hi, Î’m a french reader.
I’ve just read the prince of tides. It’s m’y first Pat
Conroy’s book . And it was amazing : one of my
favorite book.
I’ve just read the prince of tides. It’s m’y first Pat
Conroy’s book . And it was amazing : one of my
favorite book.
wrote on May 9, 2024
I have loved Pat Conroy’s books since the early 70’s. My first book was “Lords of Discipline “. At that time I was a young wife and mother to 4 boys under 5 years of age. The book grabbed my every thought. I couldn’t believe they were doing these things to each other. Reading about the”7” was mind blowing. What really had me going was our dear friend had graduated from The Citadel and confirmed that there was always a rumor of its existence.
But, when I started the “Prince of Tides” my world was truly transformed into the reading of words that sounded like poetry. The complete book is like that for me.
Pat Conroy is truly my favorite author.
But, when I started the “Prince of Tides” my world was truly transformed into the reading of words that sounded like poetry. The complete book is like that for me.
Pat Conroy is truly my favorite author.
wrote on May 8, 2024
Found BEACH MUSIC at a library book sale and discovered Pat Conroy.
Now reading SOUTH OF BROAD and in the first chapter while reading his descriptions of Charleston I thought of the phrase “a picture paints a thousand words.”
Conroy’s writing can paint a picture in a single sentence!
What a blessed gift he shared with the world.
Now reading SOUTH OF BROAD and in the first chapter while reading his descriptions of Charleston I thought of the phrase “a picture paints a thousand words.”
Conroy’s writing can paint a picture in a single sentence!
What a blessed gift he shared with the world.
wrote on May 5, 2024
I’ve loved the words of Pat Conroy since I can first remember reading. As a native South Carolinian, daughter of a Marine, and a career HS English teacher who also has suicide & mental illness in my family, I was drawn to him, his beauty of language, love of the South and sports. I remember he came to The Happy Bookseller to sign autographs, and I taught next door but couldn’t get away to wait in line, so a good friend and coworker did it for me, and I have his wonderful autograph “To Candi Pat Conroy.” It’s one of my most prized possessions. His novels speak to me like no other, and I’m humbled when I read his words.
wrote on April 22, 2024
Pat Conroy remains part of my everyday life via a collection of his quotes, writing stored in an app on my smart phone. His words inspire and serve as a comforting balm for sulking. I go every single day to take a dive into the language that feels like home. The cadence of his writing beats inside me. I am a daughter of the Southeast and spent a decade in South Carolina for and after graduate school. No one says it better than Pat His words, "still glow and quiver with life", within.
wrote on March 27, 2024
I stumbled across The Prince of Tides not too long ago. I found the writing fascinating.
Recently I found South of Broad. Oh my goodness! Fabulous! At the top of my list now for sure.
"A smile starts in the toes. Plant your feet firmly. Let it rise through your legs. Put your groin into it. Let it ride up your spine like a train. Let it shine like fox-fire in your mouth and teeth. Flash it! Now there's a smile. Feel it. Show it. Mean it."
I love this so much. Words to live by.
I would love to have met Mr. Pat Conroy. Rest in Peace Sir.
Recently I found South of Broad. Oh my goodness! Fabulous! At the top of my list now for sure.
"A smile starts in the toes. Plant your feet firmly. Let it rise through your legs. Put your groin into it. Let it ride up your spine like a train. Let it shine like fox-fire in your mouth and teeth. Flash it! Now there's a smile. Feel it. Show it. Mean it."
I love this so much. Words to live by.
I would love to have met Mr. Pat Conroy. Rest in Peace Sir.
wrote on March 5, 2024
I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Conroy after being a voracious reader of his many books, even his cookbook, which is still one of my favorites. In my memories on Facebook, eight years ago I posted a link to a blog post he wrote titled "The Teachers Of My Life", and I couldn't access the post. Is there any way you can repost his blog entry or email me the blog post? I would appreciate it so much. I will always be a fan of Pat--he could touch you with words in a way no other author can.
Agency Reply by: Christine
Here is a copy on Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20150320013935/http://patconroy.com/wp/?p=223
wrote on February 24, 2024
Wonderful man; wonderful writer; wonderful writing. I fell in love with the voice and character of the person who wrote The Water is Wide, and I loved the two other books I read, ignoring SOME literary criticism that did not appreciate the soaring skill it took to put these stories on paper where readers from all walks could find them and become immersed in and make them a part of our lives.
So sorry such a good man left us so soon. I would love to have managed to attend a reading with The Actual Pat Conroy.
Well, such is not to be. To all who knew him and loved him and were loved by him, good on you guys …
So sorry such a good man left us so soon. I would love to have managed to attend a reading with The Actual Pat Conroy.
Well, such is not to be. To all who knew him and loved him and were loved by him, good on you guys …
wrote on February 4, 2024
Thank you for maintaining this website. Now that I have found it - I plan to read it deeply. I actually went to a wedding at Beaufort, SC, and lived in Charleston at the Air Force Base for two years. My father was a pilot as well, and even he talked about how touch the Marines were.
Pat's book was made into a movie - The Great Santini - which I greatly enjoyed., though I did not see it till 2010. Mary Edwards Wertsch wrote the book "Military Brats, Life Inside the Fortress". Pat wrote the introduction to that one. That book changed my life, and changed my relationships with my mother and my father for the better. You have no idea how much that book was needed, nor the impact that it had on me, and Mary's book would have never happened without Pat writing "The Great Santini".
By the time I was 14, I had lived in 10 different Air Force Bases. Then we moved to Oak Ridge, which is if you don't know it, part of the Manhattan project.
The childhood sticks with me as well. The only person who truly understands a Military Brat, is another Military Brat.
Thank you for doing this. I am looking forward to reading the blog.
In my own case, I finally had to stand up to Dad when I was around 38 years old. We ended up having a really good relationship the last 20 years of his life.
Wishing you well,
Kathryn
Pat's book was made into a movie - The Great Santini - which I greatly enjoyed., though I did not see it till 2010. Mary Edwards Wertsch wrote the book "Military Brats, Life Inside the Fortress". Pat wrote the introduction to that one. That book changed my life, and changed my relationships with my mother and my father for the better. You have no idea how much that book was needed, nor the impact that it had on me, and Mary's book would have never happened without Pat writing "The Great Santini".
By the time I was 14, I had lived in 10 different Air Force Bases. Then we moved to Oak Ridge, which is if you don't know it, part of the Manhattan project.
The childhood sticks with me as well. The only person who truly understands a Military Brat, is another Military Brat.
Thank you for doing this. I am looking forward to reading the blog.
In my own case, I finally had to stand up to Dad when I was around 38 years old. We ended up having a really good relationship the last 20 years of his life.
Wishing you well,
Kathryn
Agency Reply by: Marly Rusoff
Kathryn,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have no idea how much it means to the Conroy family to learn from readers like you how Pat's books impacted family relationships for the better. He was able to cast light on issues that needed to be addressed and known.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have no idea how much it means to the Conroy family to learn from readers like you how Pat's books impacted family relationships for the better. He was able to cast light on issues that needed to be addressed and known.