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Pat Conroy

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Guest Book

Pat Conroy's community
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 Patโ€™s 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

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๐Ÿ˜„ ๐Ÿ˜ƒ ๐Ÿ˜‰ ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿ˜š ๐Ÿ˜— ๐Ÿ˜œ ๐Ÿ˜› ๐Ÿ˜ณ ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜ฌ ๐Ÿ˜Œ ๐Ÿ˜ž ๐Ÿ˜˜ ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜ข ๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜ญ ๐Ÿ˜… ๐Ÿ˜“ ๐Ÿ˜ฉ ๐Ÿ˜ฎ ๐Ÿ˜ฑ ๐Ÿ˜  ๐Ÿ˜ก ๐Ÿ˜ค ๐Ÿ˜‹ ๐Ÿ˜Ž ๐Ÿ˜ด ๐Ÿ˜ˆ ๐Ÿ˜‡ ๐Ÿ˜• ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜‘ ๐Ÿ‘ฒ ๐Ÿ‘ฎ ๐Ÿ’‚ ๐Ÿ‘ถ โค ๐Ÿ’” ๐Ÿ’• ๐Ÿ’˜ ๐Ÿ’Œ ๐Ÿ’‹ ๐ŸŽ ๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Ž ๐Ÿ‘Œ โœŒ๏ธ ๐Ÿค˜ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐ŸŽต โ˜•๏ธ ๐Ÿต ๐Ÿบ ๐Ÿท ๐Ÿผ โ˜€๏ธ ๐ŸŒค ๐ŸŒฆ ๐ŸŒง ๐ŸŒœ ๐ŸŒˆ ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŽ…
 
 
 
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184 entries.
Jill Landry Jill Landry from Chula Vista wrote on December 10, 2022
Just read South of Broad. I have no idea where I picked it up or how long it has been with me. Maybe from a thrift store haul, possibly a little free library or a take one bookshelf at the USO. What a find. I have for about 5 years I think, had trouble reading and focusing on a story. It was a new sad thing, the inability to escape while turning pages. This got me from the start. And kept me all in until the end. What a beautiful medley of people, time, place and spirit. Thank you Mr. Conroy.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Jill Landry for discovering Pat Conroy. Please continue to read his masterpieces. You will be in for a roller coaster of the English language at its best, let alone the unforgettable stories Pat Conroy gives us. He knows our souls and heart aches are his and writes to share them with us...
Sherry Curry Sherry Curry from Kitchener wrote on December 2, 2022
I am a new Pat Conroy fan! I have read 3 of his books since August 2022 and can't wait to read them all. I know that a book is good when I highlight parts of the book that really speak to me. This is so with Pat's books. What a gift to us all. Thank you!
Agency Reply:
Dear Sherry Curry, as you see I am so happy receiving these messages in Pat's guest book. His family reads all these and is so happy to see that you, Pat's readers are still with him. He is indeed one of the best ever who took the "pen to the paper"
Thank you for reading his works; keep going, you will find a whole new world behind his words...!!!
Mike Smith Mike Smith from PeBble Beach wrote on November 28, 2022
Today I received an ask for the Conroy library. I told my wife, the bookkeeper in our house, to send a donation. She asked why. The only answer I could give her was that Pat had entertained, enlightened, and shared so much through his writings that I wanted to be sure there was a place like it for others to learn and and immerse themselves in the joy and pain of his works.
The Citadel โ€˜67
Agency Reply:
Dear Mike Smith, lovely to see your wife watching over your "enterprise" so to speak... and even lovelier to see your response. Pat's family reads these postings and will be thrilled to see he is remembered. Thank you and my best regards to Mrs. Smith.
Marissa Marissa from Davie wrote on September 12, 2022
As the famous quote says, โ€œwe read to know weโ€™re not aloneโ€ and Pat Conroyโ€™s work has done that for me since I was a teenager. I first read Prince of Tides when I was 13; it was the first time I received real validation that, yes, parts of my home life felt similar to Tomโ€™s. I love how Patโ€™s perspective was so aware of racism, classism, and mental illness and how these themes come out so clearly in his books. As a former English teacher, I love how he captures the lifeline between bright students and their teachers.

To this day, my college best friend and I use lines from Prince of Tides as our own personal sound off.
Pat draws you effortlessly into his world and into his heart.

Thank you so much for keeping this badass gentlemanโ€™s legacy alive.
Agency Reply:
Dear Marissa, you are joining all these Pat Conroy supporters or better said lovers. Pleasure to be in the same group with you myself... this is, I hope, a never ending "story" of Pat's readers. The family reads these entries and they know Pat's legacy goes on.
Like you, I use some of Pat's thoughts often times in my brief narratives...
Thank you for writing.
(By the way your name is on my list of lovely and unusual names mostly coming from my Brazilian contacts: Marissa, Larissa, Marilia, Mayara and more)
Blue Kelly Blue Kelly from Durango, CO wrote on August 22, 2022
I adore Mr Conroy's writings. I first fell in love with his books when I read Prince of Tides a very long time ago. The way he describes everything from the look, smell and feel of the water to his delicious way of explaining emotions from grief, and fear to anger and the heartbreak of love.
Thank you so very much.
Agency Reply:
Dear Kelly if I may; I always wonder where the ease of expression of those who write here comes from...!? It hit me tonight, actually I knew it intuitively but never questioned it... It is the master of words, the inimitable Pat Conroy who triggered the best in all of us... I mean I heard it, read it, from so many of our friends writing here...
I feel it in me too, Pat Conroy makes us all use the language at the best we can and the result is clearly visible in all the love messages in this "guest book" - there is hardly a message from his admires like yourself, without a "brush" with literary devices such as (my favorites) metaphores...
Thank you for writing
Nancy Link Nancy Link from Fox Point wrote on August 18, 2022
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!
Agency Reply:
Dear Nancy Link, you are in a place where everybody is a Pat Conroy fan. Frankly fan is to light of a word since we all around here (and in many other places) simply love Pat Conroy with a fierce devotion.

Please know the a major event is coming up soon and will be celebrated at the "Pat Conroy Literary Festival" https://patconroyliteraryfestival.org this October... that is 50 years of THE WATER IS WIDE which had a great effect on so many people... many decided to choose a teaching career...
Thank you for writing to us.
Guglielmo Di Francesco Guglielmo Di Francesco from Boston, MA wrote on August 9, 2022
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. Iโ€™ve 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 weโ€™d be great friends.
Agency Reply:
Guglielmo, if I may, your writing to Pat is mesmerizing to me. I so much see myself in every thought you conveyed in your message. Like you I learned English here in the US and at some time in my life when chance brought me to Pat Conroyโ€™s friend for decades, Marly Rusoff who later entered publishing where she ran Patโ€™s publicity on most of Patโ€™s masterpieces (including The Prince of Tides and his โ€œItalyโ€ loving novel, โ€œBeach Musicโ€) โ€ฆwhen I became her partner I was introduced to his work and an entire world opened upโ€ฆ
I admire your appreciation of languageโ€ฆ it gives us the โ€œtoolโ€ to communicate in a way unmatched by anythingโ€ฆ Language is powerfulโ€ฆ and your message touched me as you so obviously understand its powerโ€ฆ!
Olivia Gregory Olivia Gregory from Taree NSW wrote on August 3, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Dear Olivia from Australia; we are so thrilled to hear from you, from such a faraway land. We know Patโ€™s books were publishes there. You just finished one. There are many other fiction and non-fiction books. Every one of them has pearls of language and plots including the cookbook which has an essay to start any recipe โ€“ some of those are so hilariousโ€ฆ
You must read more of them for a full delight of a rollercoaster of the English language.
Amy Altman Amy Altman from Lake Havasu City wrote on July 28, 2022
Canโ€™t stop reading Mr. Conroyโ€™s novels. I found him in my 30โ€™s. 40 years later, his books still touch my heart.
Agency Reply:
Dear Amy Altman, if I may... We all feel the same. It seems Pat's writing is like a great wine... the older the more precious. We never tire of his writing. Thank you.
Cate Gundlach Cate Gundlach from Troy wrote on July 16, 2022
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~
Agency Reply:
Dear Cate, Such a treasure story about your mom. As you know Pat wrote for all of us he said it he was trying to explain life to himself and to us all. He never wrote a word that wasn't from his heart.
We are familiar with Oxford, MS bookstore "Square Books" - we had many interactions with them for many authors. My gratitude to you.
Dawn Berkley Dawn Berkley from Okatie, SC wrote on July 11, 2022
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
Agency Reply:
Please tell us in a message what to do and to whom. We would be eager to help with your request but send us an email - I already contacted you and asked you to help do whatever you need but we do not know who to contact...
Elizabeth Cox Elizabeth Cox from Atlantic Beach, NC wrote on June 29, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Yes Elizabeth Cox, read all his books; Once inside one of Pat Conroy's books youโ€™ll rise and fall with the tide of the English language at its very best.
Than you for writing to us.
Virginia Fernandez Virginia Fernandez from New Orleans, LA wrote on June 29, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Virginia Fernandez, we thank you for your wonderful words and thoughts. Yes, we lost a giant of the American Letters. We all will do whatever it takes to preserve his legacy. Thank you for writing to us. The family reads these postings...
Cindy Retallick Cindy Retallick from Omaha wrote on June 2, 2022
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!
Agency Reply:
You say you are not a "gifted writer" but, like your favorite author you wrote from the heart. Thank you for helping keep Pat Conroy legacy flame alive.
Elizabeth Gallagher Elizabeth Gallagher from ARLINGTON wrote on May 31, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Dear Elizabeth Gallagher,
From your lips to God's ears. We all pray for the same outcome. Thank you for writing to Pat Conroy.
David R.Saunders David R.Saunders from Murrells Inlet wrote on May 17, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Thank you for your good words about the center...
Beverly Marle Starr Beverly Marle Starr from Graham, NC wrote on May 7, 2022
I am so thrilled that I found this website. I canโ€™t believe that I was unaware of its existence until now. I have not only loved Patโ€™s 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 Dougโ€™s home in Hillsborough, NC. Pat and Doug were definitely brothers in the literary world, and Dougโ€™s brother, Chris then became Robin to complete the trio. Patโ€™s personality definitely matched well the โ€œwonder 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 Dougโ€™s 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 Dougโ€™s 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 oneโ€™s joy. At 84 years old, and having gone through many valleys, I much prefer those mountain tops.
Agency Reply:
Mrs. Beverly Marle Starr, thank you for posting this here. We knew and met Dough Marlette, through Pat. Their friendship was incredible powerful. I believe they spoke on the phone almost daily and we know how devastating it was losing Doug...
Trudy Critcher Trudy Critcher from Fredericksburg VA wrote on April 7, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Trudy, so great that Pat Conroy readers, fans, come from all walks of life. Indeed he wrote for all of us..!! Thank you
Gerri Gerri from Haverhill, MA wrote on April 4, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Gerri this is to thank you for joining all those who consider Pat Conroy a master story teller. He is undoubtedly one and we, his agents, his family, all his publishers and innumerable people are holding him up to this "title".
Cathie Cathie from Punta Gorda, FL wrote on April 2, 2022
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 familyโ€™s 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
Agency Reply:
Cathie, South of Broad is an intricate story with many plots running sometimes parallel. Some people find it complicated but we, like you adore its complexity. It takes time to digest the Master's thinking and somehow as I wrote in a small analysis of the book... "You could soon be riding a roller coaster of emotions, as I did." The entire essay is here https://patconroy.com/south-of-broad-whys-and-whats/
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About Pat Conroy

  • The Definitive Biography
    • Pat’s Cemetery Notes
  • Awards
  • Legacy Articles
  • Profiles of Pat Conroy
  • Pat’s Desk
  • Letters to My Readers
    • Letter to Readers October 2009
    • Letter to Readers August 2009
  • Video Interviews

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