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 Patโs books or anything else that comes to mind in this guest book. We, the family,ย 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
179 entries.
I suggested Prince of Tides for my book club discussion tonight. It was on a list of 25 books to read before you die :). I had only missed this and two others. WHERE HAD I BEEN!? Wonderful and I am doing my research to lead the discussion tonight as the movie plays in the background. The Water is Wide will be my next read. THANK YOU!
I discovered how reading can change your life in high school. In 1981 I was lonely after my mom died when I was 15, she was an Italian immigrant and moved to America when she was 11. She was reading the John Jakes series and I lived in a beautiful strict ethnic home. I picked up one of her books and I was hooked on reading. It taught me to enjoy to read, my English was good but my mom always used Italian words so I thought English was a combination of both English and Italian as I grew up. I discovered Pat Conroy when I was in college and it changed the way I thought about things. He was the first author that I ever read which was capable of saying an entire paragraphs worth the words in one sentence his writing is flawless beautiful and moving. Iโve read his books over and over again. His writing style makes me think about how I write emails and messages and how to be a better writer in person.
Thanks Pat for teaching me, first generation immigrant and how to communicate better. Also, I loved your books when your characters were in Italy, beautifully written with such incredible detail. Thank you Pat, I think weโd be great friends.
Thanks Pat for teaching me, first generation immigrant and how to communicate better. Also, I loved your books when your characters were in Italy, beautifully written with such incredible detail. Thank you Pat, I think weโd be great friends.
At the age of 73, I have found Pat Conroy's books. I almost finished Beach Music and I love it. Every character comes alive. His writing is so clear and so wonderfully descriptive. It is with sadness that I have discovered that he has passed on. With thanks, from Olivia in Australia.
Canโt stop reading Mr. Conroyโs novels. I found him in my 30โs. 40 years later, his books still touch my heart.
My mom passed away in 2013. She had just turned 61 and she and dad had just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. Mom was a true southern belle. Raised in a loving home, full of family who dined on good grace, good faith, collard greens and home-made fried chicken. Mom was a proud southerner, educated, sophisticated, very much a Scarlet O'hare but without the pouty tude! Mom loved to read, and she was a huge advocate for supporting the small, local book stores that centered the old town square in historic southern towns.
One of her favorite stores was SQUARE BOOKS in the heart of college town (Ole Miss) Oxford, Mississippi. She bought several of Mr. Conroy's books from Square Books and introduced me to one of my now favorite authors in my personal reading life. Coincidentally, I just read MY READING LIFE, and laughed at the title as it is so perfectly applicable ~ Thank you Mr. Conroy for loving the south, and for loving the songbird of literature~
One of her favorite stores was SQUARE BOOKS in the heart of college town (Ole Miss) Oxford, Mississippi. She bought several of Mr. Conroy's books from Square Books and introduced me to one of my now favorite authors in my personal reading life. Coincidentally, I just read MY READING LIFE, and laughed at the title as it is so perfectly applicable ~ Thank you Mr. Conroy for loving the south, and for loving the songbird of literature~
Can someone from Pat Conroy family please reach out to my friend who just passed away and loved your father , loved his books and his cook books
It would mean the world to her family her name is Dawn Berkeley
It would mean the world to her family her name is Dawn Berkeley
I cannot believe I just read my first Pat Conroy book at 58 years old. I have never experienced such beautiful writing. South of Broad was my first book by him and it will live in my heart for as long as I live. I am so grateful for this amazing man and his love of writing. I will read every single thing he has ever written.
I've had a 40 year love affair with Mr. Conroy's books. Assigned The Great Santini in my AP Literature class in 1983, I began the slow but sure walk through it, at first reluctant (I was, and still am to some extent, a huge Stephen King fan) and then had to control myself to pace myself reading the rest. Never had I wanted to reread a book the instant I finished it! I was happy and glad to find the rest of his work before Santini and I was hooked. HOOKED.
Mr. Conroy's worked its magic on my ADD brain like nothing other. His descriptions helped me get into the story, deeper than I'd ever had with any other novel. I didn't want to skip one nuance of how he painted the scenery and emotions of his passages. Oh my goodness, how I hung to every word of his. And it continued, through every book he shared with the world. His death was the first "celebrity" death that affected me, ever, for I knew that with his passing many more unwritten stories went with him. I hope and pray somehow, that there are more Pat Conroy words out there, buried and unseen, waiting to be discovered. Never have I admired a writer more than Mr. Conroy. Never.
Mr. Conroy's worked its magic on my ADD brain like nothing other. His descriptions helped me get into the story, deeper than I'd ever had with any other novel. I didn't want to skip one nuance of how he painted the scenery and emotions of his passages. Oh my goodness, how I hung to every word of his. And it continued, through every book he shared with the world. His death was the first "celebrity" death that affected me, ever, for I knew that with his passing many more unwritten stories went with him. I hope and pray somehow, that there are more Pat Conroy words out there, buried and unseen, waiting to be discovered. Never have I admired a writer more than Mr. Conroy. Never.
I am not a gifted writer like my favorite author. However I am in love with all of Mr. Conroy's books. I am a mother of 4 sons and my oldest and I share a love of these books. Our wish is to someday visit the places that he has written about. We have read Beach music several times and it will always be our favorite. Thank you!
Mr. Conroy was such a gifted writer. I think Beach Music was a masterpiece, and a wonderful experience to read. My hope is that there will be a screen version one day.
Several years ago I had the good fortune to meet Pat Conroy during a book signing at Litchfield Books. What a memorable experience!
Then, earlier this month I had the good fortune to visit the Pat Conroy Literary Center. What a memorable experience!
Center Ambassadors Ed Williams and Fred Campo were fantastic...meeting Jonathan Haupt was an honor...the Pat Conroy exhibits were inspiring. Kudos to all those people who have had a part in developing such a fitting tribute to Pat Conroy...the man whose writings have touched the lives of countless readers...including mine.
Then, earlier this month I had the good fortune to visit the Pat Conroy Literary Center. What a memorable experience!
Center Ambassadors Ed Williams and Fred Campo were fantastic...meeting Jonathan Haupt was an honor...the Pat Conroy exhibits were inspiring. Kudos to all those people who have had a part in developing such a fitting tribute to Pat Conroy...the man whose writings have touched the lives of countless readers...including mine.
I am so thrilled that I found this website. I canโt believe that I was unaware of its existence until now. I have not only loved Patโs wonderful writing, but when I met him in person, he immediately became my Superman, best friend to Batman... my nephew, Doug Marlette.
I was privileged to meet Pat at our family reunion, held at Dougโs home in Hillsborough, NC. Pat and Doug were definitely brothers in the literary world, and Dougโs brother, Chris then became Robin to complete the trio. Patโs personality definitely matched well the โwonder what the next act of this play holds.?โ mantra surrounding our huge, but in my humble opinion, amazing family.
Pat and Doug were joined at the literary heart and I know that Dougโs sudden tragic death was an emotional bomb for him as it was for our family. I so wish that, while I had such remarkable wisdom and talent available, I had listened to that internal whisper that I needed to write my memoir. Immediately after I began reading Dougโs book, I realized that individuals, experiencing the same interactions might perceive them very differently. I wanted to share the good attributes of our ancestry as well as try to purvey the desire to overcome the attributes that steal oneโs joy. At 84 years old, and having gone through many valleys, I much prefer those mountain tops.
I was privileged to meet Pat at our family reunion, held at Dougโs home in Hillsborough, NC. Pat and Doug were definitely brothers in the literary world, and Dougโs brother, Chris then became Robin to complete the trio. Patโs personality definitely matched well the โwonder what the next act of this play holds.?โ mantra surrounding our huge, but in my humble opinion, amazing family.
Pat and Doug were joined at the literary heart and I know that Dougโs sudden tragic death was an emotional bomb for him as it was for our family. I so wish that, while I had such remarkable wisdom and talent available, I had listened to that internal whisper that I needed to write my memoir. Immediately after I began reading Dougโs book, I realized that individuals, experiencing the same interactions might perceive them very differently. I wanted to share the good attributes of our ancestry as well as try to purvey the desire to overcome the attributes that steal oneโs joy. At 84 years old, and having gone through many valleys, I much prefer those mountain tops.
I wish I could have talked to Pat about my family. When mom drank she had a lot of Santinis "qualities". My sister had substance abuse and mental health issues. Nice to know mine wasn't the only family to face theses issues.
Also I was brought up in a conservative southern town. My family was the only family on the block to have a Johnston sign on their front lawn during the 64 election. Everyone else had Goldwater signs. I know what it's like to be liberal in a conservative town.
Also I was brought up in a conservative southern town. My family was the only family on the block to have a Johnston sign on their front lawn during the 64 election. Everyone else had Goldwater signs. I know what it's like to be liberal in a conservative town.
I have been a fan of Pat Conroy since reading The Prince of Tides, which to this day remains one of my top three favorite books of all time. I am rereading Beach Music at this moment.
I have the honor of passing my reading onto other readers looking for an author they can lose themselves to. Mr. Conroy is one of those authors.
I have the honor of passing my reading onto other readers looking for an author they can lose themselves to. Mr. Conroy is one of those authors.
I just finished South of Broad. What a moving story! I could identify with the characters as some of the same things have happened in my familyโs lives. I guess that is what he was saying when he said if he wrote about his life it would help you understand things in your life. It did. I cried & laughed & was shocked all in the lifetime of this wonderful story.
Thankyou Pat Conroy
Thankyou Pat Conroy
I wrote earlier and I forgot to say a few things...
I was on a website book club and was asked what my all time favorite 2 books were and Prince of Tides was my first. Mr. Conroy was such a world-master.
That story still has a place in my heart and soul even now. My second book was Lila by Marilyn Robinson that reminded me of the feeling I got when I read Prince of Tides and I don't know why. I thank Pat Conroy for starting me on my journey to reading books that matter. Thank you.
I was on a website book club and was asked what my all time favorite 2 books were and Prince of Tides was my first. Mr. Conroy was such a world-master.
That story still has a place in my heart and soul even now. My second book was Lila by Marilyn Robinson that reminded me of the feeling I got when I read Prince of Tides and I don't know why. I thank Pat Conroy for starting me on my journey to reading books that matter. Thank you.
I remember when I was reading Prince of Tides how it affected me. I had never read a book where the writing style and story touched me so much.
In fact Prince of Tides touched my soul. I am a avid reader. It has helped me get through some very tough times in my life, however no books have touched me as much as Pat Conroy's have and I thank him for giving me that joy and many hours of reading his books all that touched me deeply...
I was on a website book club and was asked what my all time favorite 2 books were and Prince of Tides was my first. Mr. Conroy was such a word-master. That story still has a place in my heart and soul even now. My second book was Lila by Marilyn Robinson that reminded me of the feeling I got when I read Prince of Tides and I don't know why. I thank Pat Conroy for starting me on my journey to reading books that matter. Thank you.
In fact Prince of Tides touched my soul. I am a avid reader. It has helped me get through some very tough times in my life, however no books have touched me as much as Pat Conroy's have and I thank him for giving me that joy and many hours of reading his books all that touched me deeply...
I was on a website book club and was asked what my all time favorite 2 books were and Prince of Tides was my first. Mr. Conroy was such a word-master. That story still has a place in my heart and soul even now. My second book was Lila by Marilyn Robinson that reminded me of the feeling I got when I read Prince of Tides and I don't know why. I thank Pat Conroy for starting me on my journey to reading books that matter. Thank you.
I love Pat Conroy.
From the first time I read the Prince of Tides in grad school I knew this man knew my soul. And as my grad school classmates and I discussed, he seemed to know each one of us.
How could one man touch so many hearts and souls in another state and from many different walks of life? I love his use of the English language, it is my poetry now.
When I am lonely for others that have passed away, I read Pat Conroy.
When I think about a lost love, I read Pat Conroy.
When I have a client who is searching for answers, I read Pat Conroy.
Pat Conroy is my Bible, my guide, my friend.
I love Pat Conroy.
From the first time I read the Prince of Tides in grad school I knew this man knew my soul. And as my grad school classmates and I discussed, he seemed to know each one of us.
How could one man touch so many hearts and souls in another state and from many different walks of life? I love his use of the English language, it is my poetry now.
When I am lonely for others that have passed away, I read Pat Conroy.
When I think about a lost love, I read Pat Conroy.
When I have a client who is searching for answers, I read Pat Conroy.
Pat Conroy is my Bible, my guide, my friend.
I love Pat Conroy.
Iโve always been an avid reader but Iโll never forget the first time I read The Prince of Tides. I could not put it down. It wasnโt just one thing but so many. Being from the south I understood so much and then thereโs his eloquent verbiage. My my myโฆ his words evoke such emotion... everything from joy to horror and all points in between. Itโs a masterpiece. Such treasures he left. Thank you Mr Conroy.
I had missed "The Losing Season" until now. I totally identified with his basketball career as I went to a D-1 school (four years after he did) on a full ride (wrestling). To be almost really good is something that haunts jocks forever. The other thing that got to me (as if we didn't know this from his novels) was how awful his dad and his coach really were. That he didn't up and punch either of these guys out shows how much character he had at a very young age. By the way, I up and quit. And I never faced military discipline. This memoir is a gem.