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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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195 entries.
Cate Gundlach Cate Gundlach from Troy
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.
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Dawn Berkley Dawn Berkley from Okatie, SC
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...
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Elizabeth Cox Elizabeth Cox from Atlantic Beach, NC
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.
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Virginia Fernandez Virginia Fernandez from New Orleans, LA
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...
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Cindy Retallick Cindy Retallick from Omaha
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.
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Elizabeth Gallagher Elizabeth Gallagher from ARLINGTON
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.
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David R.Saunders David R.Saunders from Murrells Inlet
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...
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Beverly Marle Starr Beverly Marle Starr from Graham, NC
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...
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Trudy Critcher Trudy Critcher from Fredericksburg VA
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
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Gerri Gerri from Haverhill, MA
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".
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Cathie Cathie from Punta Gorda, FL
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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Lisa Kirk Toomey Lisa Kirk Toomey from Lynn, MA
February 25, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Lisa for adding to your first post. We here at Pat Conroy site are so very happy to hear from his devoted readers. Spread the word please...
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Lisa Kirk Toomey Lisa Kirk Toomey from Lynn, MA
February 25, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Lisa, it seems I am receiving many "love letters" to Pat Conroy... I am overwhelmed with emotions tonight more than any other time I remember. Thank you for your wonderful posting. Our forever gratitude...!!!
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Debra Seacrist Debra Seacrist from Granbury,TX
February 24, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Debra Seacrist, you took my breath away with the musicality of your message. Everyone who comes to this guest book has Pat Conroy in his or her heart. It is a sweet burden for me to see this outpouring of love and yet a never forgotten duty of mine to acknowledge this all. As ever my gratitude and Pat's family and friends gratitude...
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Kimberly Kimberly from Ponce de Leon
February 20, 2022
Iโ€™ve always been an avid reader but Iโ€™ll never forget the first time I read The Prince of Tides. I could not put it down. It wasnโ€™t just one thing but so many. Being from the south I understood so much and then thereโ€™s his eloquent verbiage. My my myโ€ฆ his words evoke such emotion... everything from joy to horror and all points in between. Itโ€™s a masterpiece. Such treasures he left. Thank you Mr Conroy.
Agency Reply:
What a wonderful note you left us... Pat Conroy readers... Thank you for your sensibility...
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Doug Garr Doug Garr from NEW YORK, NY
February 20, 2022
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.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Dog Garr. We keep this Guest Book open for readers like you who make our days by posting their love for Pat Conroy...
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Victoria Lambert Victoria Lambert from Minneapolis, MN
February 7, 2022
I Have read The Prince of Tides every year since I first purchased it shortly after publication. Reading this novel, finished once more early this morning, is like reading my favorite poem, or the Bible--so full of beauty and horror, the amazing ying-yang of life. It is a healing read, especially for folks like me, victims and heirs to a southern upbringing. I say prayers of thanksgiving to you, Mr. Conroy.
Agency Reply:
Victoria Lambert, as you know by now Pat Conroy always speaks to his readers. There is no doubt he identifies with them, he loves them, that is why the readers like yourself respond with similar feelings. Thank you for writing...

(Marly Rusoff Pat's agent and friend for decades spent time with Pat in Minneapolis and on the North Shore - Marly is a born Mnpls/St Paul "girl" and the founder of The Loft...)
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MICHAEL CUMMINGS MICHAEL CUMMINGS from Metuchen, NJ
January 12, 2022
I grew up in NJ, but after reading The Prince of Tides, I went to The University of South Carolina to study English. Though maybe a reckless decision, in retrospect, I was determined.
His command of the language still inspires me. He gives song to the low country like Norman McClean makes rivers whisper and Springsteen lets you hear the screen door slam..
Agency Reply:
Yes Michael, he "makes rivers whispers" and sometimes roaring... Thank you for writing such a heartfelt message....
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Carol Carol from Atlanta, GA
December 23, 2021
Beach Music ... a classic. While I am a few years older than Shyla & company, so much of the book resonated with me. It was all about how I lived & thought & loved & feared during the 1960s. Pat Conroy, please save the last dance for me... !!
Agency Reply:
Carol your message gave me goose bumps... so evocative... I listen to The Drifters' Save The Last Dance For Me almost every night when I work... it is on my "play list" Thank you for writing to Pat.
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Claus Nybroe Claus Nybroe from Stenstrup, Denmark
December 18, 2021
Greetings from a retired Danish architect. Relatively late in life I was introduced to Pat Conroy and have read 3 of his novels so far. They touch my heart and are hard to let go. So, I'm thankful meeting this great writer and looking forward to explore more of his works.
Your web site is most helpful in this respect.
Agency Reply:
This is so very exciting for me and for Pat's family and readers who look at this guest book messages... Our agency had worked with Pat for decades and we treasured our friendship. It is heart warming to see admiration coming from other parts of the world...
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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

Credits/Links

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