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.
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179 entries.
He was and continues to be an inspiration. I have read his books many times. They are old friends. The works are ageless and set in my beloved South. His characters remind me of my upbringing and the many people who have touched my life.
I have turned to them during times of joy, loneliness and grief. Particularly during these current times when the world has gone crazy, time has stood still and the very fabric of our life is being torn.
May his stories live on, the South rise again and our Country return to the greatness that our founding fathers imagined.
May God bless the USA and long live the legacy of Pat Conroy!
I have turned to them during times of joy, loneliness and grief. Particularly during these current times when the world has gone crazy, time has stood still and the very fabric of our life is being torn.
May his stories live on, the South rise again and our Country return to the greatness that our founding fathers imagined.
May God bless the USA and long live the legacy of Pat Conroy!
2003-2004 was the last of my preliminary vice presidential years before becoming president of the South Carolina Council of Teachers of English (SCCTE). That year our board chose former Beaufort High School English teacher Gene Norris as the person we wanted to honor with our Richard P. Riley Award, presented annually to someone who has made significant contributions to the teaching of English in our state.
My role at the time led me to be tasked with some of the particulars of how to honor Gene in the most memorable way possible. Since we were quite familiar with Gene's friendship with Pat, his former student, and the way that Pat always managed to slip in beautiful tributes to Gene (as well as the larger population of dedicated English teachers) in his interviews and conversations, we knew that our celebration had to include Pat Conroy.
Some time during Pat's publicity tour for My Losing Season he was scheduled for a signing at the Open Book (now unfortunately open no longer) in Greenville, SC. We made arrangements with the owner for me to meet Pat before he greeted the general public. That moment is a cherished memory I will never forget.
When I told Pat that our state English teacher association was planning to recognize Gene with its highest award, he looked at me and without missing a beat said, "Son, if you're doing anything to honor Gene Norris, you just tell me when and where, and I'll be there."
Of course, he was true to his word. I can promise anyone who reads this that there are quite a few English teachers around the state of South Carolina who remember seeing Pat's tribute to Gene that year as one of the most beautiful moments in the history of our conference. Sadly, Gene passed away several months later, but one of his family members told me at his funeral how precious that moment was for Gene as well.
I just wanted to publicly thank Pat for what he meant to those of us who teach English. In addition to his wonderful books, we are so fortunate to still have his beautiful words of support for our profession with us.
My role at the time led me to be tasked with some of the particulars of how to honor Gene in the most memorable way possible. Since we were quite familiar with Gene's friendship with Pat, his former student, and the way that Pat always managed to slip in beautiful tributes to Gene (as well as the larger population of dedicated English teachers) in his interviews and conversations, we knew that our celebration had to include Pat Conroy.
Some time during Pat's publicity tour for My Losing Season he was scheduled for a signing at the Open Book (now unfortunately open no longer) in Greenville, SC. We made arrangements with the owner for me to meet Pat before he greeted the general public. That moment is a cherished memory I will never forget.
When I told Pat that our state English teacher association was planning to recognize Gene with its highest award, he looked at me and without missing a beat said, "Son, if you're doing anything to honor Gene Norris, you just tell me when and where, and I'll be there."
Of course, he was true to his word. I can promise anyone who reads this that there are quite a few English teachers around the state of South Carolina who remember seeing Pat's tribute to Gene that year as one of the most beautiful moments in the history of our conference. Sadly, Gene passed away several months later, but one of his family members told me at his funeral how precious that moment was for Gene as well.
I just wanted to publicly thank Pat for what he meant to those of us who teach English. In addition to his wonderful books, we are so fortunate to still have his beautiful words of support for our profession with us.
I have read all of Pat Conroy's books and loved every one. It breaks my heart that there will be no more. His description of Charleston made me want to jump on a plane and go there immediately. Years later I was able to visit this beautiful city. He didn't write words - he wrote poetry and the world of literature will never be the same without him.
I just finished The Prince of Tides and loved every page. Mr. Conroy's development of his characters with their emotions, cultural background and conflicts of love and family were extraordinary. His style of writing in itself is nothing short of beautiful. I look forward to reading more of his works.
I was turned onto Pat by the author Greg Iles. Only one word can describe Pat Conroy's writing, and that is "WOW'. I have read every available book written by him, and wished there were more forthcoming. God Bless Pat Conroy.
As a boy of about ten, I saw the movie, "Conrack," based on Pat Conroy's book, "The Water Is Wide." That's when I became a lifelong fan of Pat's. I've since become a sports broadcaster, and when Pat's book, "My Losing Season" was published, I was working at Madison Square Garden Network in New York City.
He was scheduled to do an interview with me, which I arranged to happen on the court at The World's Most Famous Arena. Unfortunately, Pat took ill and was unable to keep our appointment. I was so disappointed. I got married two years ago, and recently re-watched Conrack for the umpteenth time, introducing it to my wife, Shari.
Of course, I told her all about Pat's impact on me, and that time I came so close to meeting him.
He was scheduled to do an interview with me, which I arranged to happen on the court at The World's Most Famous Arena. Unfortunately, Pat took ill and was unable to keep our appointment. I was so disappointed. I got married two years ago, and recently re-watched Conrack for the umpteenth time, introducing it to my wife, Shari.
Of course, I told her all about Pat's impact on me, and that time I came so close to meeting him.
I just finished reading the Water is Wide. I am touched beyond words.
Now I have to read more of his books.
Now I have to read more of his books.
I spent 4 years in NJ-ROTC in high school and my first Conroy books were The Lords of Discipline and My Losing Season.. After reading the Lords of Discipline I knew then and there I wanted to be a Citadel man just as Conroy was and just like Will McClean was at the Carolina Military Institute in the book. I pursued this dream because of Conroy's book inspiring me.
I attended leadership school there and applied for college to be in the corps of cadets now while I was rejected due to not having a second language I remained and still remain a supporter of the college because both Pat Conroy and the Citadel taught me a lot about growing up and being both my self and "a man". I'm thankful that I discovered Conroy and his books and stories.
I attended leadership school there and applied for college to be in the corps of cadets now while I was rejected due to not having a second language I remained and still remain a supporter of the college because both Pat Conroy and the Citadel taught me a lot about growing up and being both my self and "a man". I'm thankful that I discovered Conroy and his books and stories.
I spent alot of time in Low Country (Beaufort) and on Hunting Island when I was a kid. I read my first Conroy when I was in high school, and I loved it!
Now... I'm 55, teach senior English at Danville Community High School and encourage my students to read Conroy every semester.
My wife and I plan on retiring to the Beaufort area eventually, where I plan to do some writing myself.
He was/is an inspiration to so many!! RIP
Now... I'm 55, teach senior English at Danville Community High School and encourage my students to read Conroy every semester.
My wife and I plan on retiring to the Beaufort area eventually, where I plan to do some writing myself.
He was/is an inspiration to so many!! RIP
I first read The Great Santini when I was a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in 1977. Pat Conroy is in the top 3 of my all-time favorite authors.
Greetings from Bullarto, in the State of Victoria, Australia. Iโm about half way through my first Pat Conroy book, The Prince of Tides. Henry Wingo has just bought the gas station (or as we would call it the petrol station) and he and the kids are at the circus.
It took me a little while to appreciate the language and engage with the plot, but now Iโm in and hooked and know that this wonโt be my last Conroy. Thanks for the website, itโs a great way to see how others having enjoyed what Iโm now enjoying. The Great Santini is next.
It took me a little while to appreciate the language and engage with the plot, but now Iโm in and hooked and know that this wonโt be my last Conroy. Thanks for the website, itโs a great way to see how others having enjoyed what Iโm now enjoying. The Great Santini is next.
I love Beach Music and I want to nominate it to be made into a film.
I just watched the movie Conrack for the 3rd time in the past few weeks. I remember seeing it with my mom growing up. This is my favorite movie from that era and being a native of South Carolina, I can say, it has a special place. I wish I could've met Mr. Conroy and learned more of his experience on the island of Daufauski.
I just finished South of Broad. I wish that there were still another 300 pages to read. Mr. Conroy has a wonderful way with words. My favorite author, Ken Follett, also puts the best words in the best order. I once referred to him as the "goat." Now Mr. Conroy has joined the fray and now it's the Jordan and James debate for me in the book world, lol!
His books are companions. When you read his books, you discover sentences so well-crafted that it requires an appreciative pause. You experience places so descriptive, you are right next to him observing every nuance.
Thank you for patconroy.com in 2021.
Thank you for patconroy.com in 2021.
Love the books.
Pat Conroy is and always has been my very favorite author. I always wanted to meet him. I wanted to thank him and hug him-thank him for his beautiful stories and for helping me understand the โcomplexitiesโ of my own family better,-hug him to absorb some of his pain and share with him some of my own without the need for words.
I remember reading the Lords of Discipline as a teenager on a road trip during a hot summer in the back of a van. I sobbed for several days while reading that book. Beach Music is the best book I have ever read. I go back and read it every few years and I wish the story never ended. I am now reading it for probably the 7th or 8th time. I will always return to this book and am so happy to have it in first edition hardcover. My best to the Conroy family in this new year.
I remember reading the Lords of Discipline as a teenager on a road trip during a hot summer in the back of a van. I sobbed for several days while reading that book. Beach Music is the best book I have ever read. I go back and read it every few years and I wish the story never ended. I am now reading it for probably the 7th or 8th time. I will always return to this book and am so happy to have it in first edition hardcover. My best to the Conroy family in this new year.
I donโt know why Iโm making an entry to a guestbook of someone already passed on-except to perhaps let family and friends that had the honor to be called such might once again be reminded of what they undoubtedly know.
I love to read. I love books. It is a love passed down to me from my mother, who would have 3-4 books โgoingโ at any point of her life. It was through her that I discovered Pat Conroy. She had a system for handing down bags of read books to me... one check on the title page meant that sheโd read it, but that I should only resort to reading if there were no books left in the bag. Two checks meant worth the time and three meant read first! When she gave me the book, โBeach Musicโ, it not only had the valued three checks, but she wrote-โReally goodโ followed with three exclamation points!!!
I saved the book to read on a long plane trip to Colorado with my husband. I, like my mother, am a very fast reader. If going on a 10 day vacation, I will bring 3 books. But this book was different...Pat Conroy created something that made that book last for the entire vacation. I found, that instead of flying through a book, I would read then reread and, as with the first pages of the prologue, read a third time, think about what Iโd just read and then interrupt my husbandโs book to read it to him. When I finally did finish the book, as is the experience with a truly good book, I was sorry Iโd finished it. So was my husband who had essentially listened to a near entire reading of the book through me.
Without belaboring more than I already have, Pat Conroy changed the way I read when I read any of his works. They are prose and fiction, but so much more. He writes in poetry and tells a story in such detail that whether funny or tragic pulls you in and makes you experience the written situation as a silent but present observer.
I wish Iโd been able to tell him that I read him differently than I did other authorโs works. I wish there were more of his books. So, Iโve bought โBeach Musicโ again. Iโve only read three sections to my husband so far. Iโve just finished the prologue.
I love to read. I love books. It is a love passed down to me from my mother, who would have 3-4 books โgoingโ at any point of her life. It was through her that I discovered Pat Conroy. She had a system for handing down bags of read books to me... one check on the title page meant that sheโd read it, but that I should only resort to reading if there were no books left in the bag. Two checks meant worth the time and three meant read first! When she gave me the book, โBeach Musicโ, it not only had the valued three checks, but she wrote-โReally goodโ followed with three exclamation points!!!
I saved the book to read on a long plane trip to Colorado with my husband. I, like my mother, am a very fast reader. If going on a 10 day vacation, I will bring 3 books. But this book was different...Pat Conroy created something that made that book last for the entire vacation. I found, that instead of flying through a book, I would read then reread and, as with the first pages of the prologue, read a third time, think about what Iโd just read and then interrupt my husbandโs book to read it to him. When I finally did finish the book, as is the experience with a truly good book, I was sorry Iโd finished it. So was my husband who had essentially listened to a near entire reading of the book through me.
Without belaboring more than I already have, Pat Conroy changed the way I read when I read any of his works. They are prose and fiction, but so much more. He writes in poetry and tells a story in such detail that whether funny or tragic pulls you in and makes you experience the written situation as a silent but present observer.
I wish Iโd been able to tell him that I read him differently than I did other authorโs works. I wish there were more of his books. So, Iโve bought โBeach Musicโ again. Iโve only read three sections to my husband so far. Iโve just finished the prologue.
Hello, I have been a huge Pat Conroy fan going back to "The Great Santini" which spoke to me so big due to my relationship with my father. Then, after having a rough car wreck a number of years ago, a mutual friend Pat and I have, Janis Owens, brought me a signed copy of "My Losing Season". It is a prized possession and sits proudly on my desk. I just finished "A Low Country Heart" absolutely fantastic!!!! Thanks for letting me share!!
Pat's books are so hard to put down - they haunt your sleep in a good way. I'm about to start South of Broad and am so looking forward to another masterpiece.
Beach Music was bittersweet and I'm almost positive I'll feel the same about this one. Thank you Mr. Conroy for your wonderful books!
Beach Music was bittersweet and I'm almost positive I'll feel the same about this one. Thank you Mr. Conroy for your wonderful books!