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
180 entries.
wrote on December 21, 2020
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!
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Becca, we are familiar with the Decatur Book Festival which was initially set up and run for a great number of years by Daren Wang a friend and now an author of our agency https://rusoffagency.com
South of Broad is an extraordinary novel quite complicated and intricate in its multi-plot threads. I wrote a review on it that is now on this site under "blogs". Stay close and we'll post some news on this novel...
South of Broad is an extraordinary novel quite complicated and intricate in its multi-plot threads. I wrote a review on it that is now on this site under "blogs". Stay close and we'll post some news on this novel...
wrote on November 29, 2020
My son, who is 45 and reads only what appears on a "phone” or a computer, and I were conversing via e-mail this afternoon when I mentioned the Sea Islands. He was not familiar with them, and, of course, the talk led to Pat Conroy and his works. He became immediately interested, even though he is not a "book reader".
I had told him stories from Mr. Conroy’s books...the young mother with two children watching the sunset and the Moonrise, The Great Santini, My Losing Season. Now he is interested in reading more, and I told him that I would like to read them with him, but I cannot.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with glaucoma and I have had to put down my precious books... all of them... but I would, if I had a choice of some to read (not to listen to) Conroy’s would be at the top of the list... especially now that I have awakened a glimmer of interest in my son.
I had told him stories from Mr. Conroy’s books...the young mother with two children watching the sunset and the Moonrise, The Great Santini, My Losing Season. Now he is interested in reading more, and I told him that I would like to read them with him, but I cannot.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with glaucoma and I have had to put down my precious books... all of them... but I would, if I had a choice of some to read (not to listen to) Conroy’s would be at the top of the list... especially now that I have awakened a glimmer of interest in my son.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for you message. Pat's family enjoys reading these messages from Pat's fans. We wish you a successful way to deal with glaucoma - today medicine might be able to help...
wrote on November 23, 2020
I’ve read Beach Music three times, the Prince of Tides twice. When I close my eyes, I can see the Piazza Farnese coming to life with the first light of the sun. It’s breathtaking. At the same time, I can walk the Street of Tides and imagine the aromas of Colleton. Pat Conroy’s dexterity with verse draws the reader into the story like no other author I have ever read. I will borrow a line from the Prince of Tides and take literary license because it perfectly expresses my feelings once I’ve read a Pat Conroy novel. “His secret, we would discover, was that once you have traveled (through one of Pat’s novels), the voyage never ends, but is played over and over again in the quietest chambers, that the mind can never break off from the journey.”
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Obviously yours, like mine and others' writing was influenced by Pat's elegant style. Thank you for posting this great message. Pat's family enjoys reading the guestbook.
wrote on November 10, 2020
When I read Pat Conroy, it is not uncommon for me to stop and breathe in his poetry, again and again and again. I then say aloud to myself, Lord have mercy, that man could write!
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
James Myers I'd like you to know that Pat Conroy family reads these messages which provide them solace. Thank you for posting.
wrote on October 13, 2020
I arrived in Bluffton today for the first time and I feel like I have been here before. Of course! In Conroy’s books. “The Water is Wide” and “Beach Music” made particular impressions on me. His humanity came shining through his perfect and unique combinations of words. RIP Pat.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Lorraine, these places in the lowcountry are gorgeous. You should visit Pat's Beaufort where you'll find lowcountry at its best. However you'll find good pizza in some places but no place will ever match Johnny Pizzeria on Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon, NY - I've been in Beaufort for a some months now but that is my favorite place... Mount Vernon has other great food places but Johnny take the prize! Thank you for liking Pat Conroy; do not miss his other masterpieces...
wrote on October 7, 2020
I have just recently become so endeared by Pats books since my youngest son entered the Citadel this year as a knob. My husband ordered The Lords of Discipline for us to enjoy (since we had a Knob) and my breath was taken away at Pat's beautiful storytelling! I’ve never read an author that brings such passion to his writing with a poetic choice of words, that you can see his life story unfolding between the pages.
Then I was in the right time at the right place. Travelers Rest, SC. An book collector, Jim, who owned My Sisters Store had a first edition, signed copy of My Losing Season. I fell in love and bought it right away. My husband read it and I’m currently reading it.
My husband then mentioned that he read The Boo in elementary school and he remembered it moving him deeply as being one of his favorite reads.
It’s tough to find Pats hardcover books in print. And for good reason. Sooooo, I came across The Boo on Amazon, through a small book store. Inside it is signed. (I’m certain the seller had no idea it was signed since I got it very cheap) It reads “Welcome Lamb. The Boo.” Of course my heart wants it to be Lt Colonel Nugent Courvoisie! **Update-the website monitors confirmed it is his signature**
I will be reading all his books!
Thank you for maintaining this website! God Bless!
Then I was in the right time at the right place. Travelers Rest, SC. An book collector, Jim, who owned My Sisters Store had a first edition, signed copy of My Losing Season. I fell in love and bought it right away. My husband read it and I’m currently reading it.
My husband then mentioned that he read The Boo in elementary school and he remembered it moving him deeply as being one of his favorite reads.
It’s tough to find Pats hardcover books in print. And for good reason. Sooooo, I came across The Boo on Amazon, through a small book store. Inside it is signed. (I’m certain the seller had no idea it was signed since I got it very cheap) It reads “Welcome Lamb. The Boo.” Of course my heart wants it to be Lt Colonel Nugent Courvoisie! **Update-the website monitors confirmed it is his signature**
I will be reading all his books!
Thank you for maintaining this website! God Bless!
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Lori, it was a pleasure to help you with the "The Boo" signature. In fact I did not have it myself but Cassandra, Pat's wife who found a signed book and took a picture of the signature and send it... Now we both have the confirmation. Indeed it is hard to find Pat's books in hard cover. You might want to try Penguin Random House web site, they sell books there too. It's been a pleasure to interact with you and I wish the best luck to the "Knob", my thanks for the kind words; we love Pat Conroy...
wrote on September 19, 2020
Pat,
I miss your beautiful words, love of language, and your immense talent which cultivates a writer in all of us. Rest in perfect peace.
I miss your beautiful words, love of language, and your immense talent which cultivates a writer in all of us. Rest in perfect peace.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Thank you for the kind words Rachel from...
wrote on September 13, 2020
I have downloaded all of Pat Conroy's books on my Kindle. I enjoy reading them and marking the passages that are so beautifully written.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Cathy you will run out of Kindle's memory - there are thousands of beautiful pages in Pat's work - don't overlook the cookbook - I had an exchange in this guest book with another reader about some hysterically hilarious essays there... Good luck you are in for the English language at its best...
wrote on August 28, 2020
It is a blessing and a curse to have read Pat Conroy's books: blessing is clear for us all, but the curse part is that after reading all of the books, you have a hard time finding another author that can mesmerize you like Conroy. Nowadays I find myself reading books for the first 50 pages and then totally bored giving up... if anybody has good ideas to help me out of this misery by revealing some other conroy-style-authors, PLEASE help!
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
I don't know anybody like Pat Conroy. However he liked his friend Rick Brag (for his humor), Terry Kay and a few others... Thank you for posting, I'll ask Cassandra for more names...
wrote on August 27, 2020
Pat Conroy is the only author I ever idolized. I never knew him, never met him, but I loved the words he could string together to make me feel drunk with the heady pleasure of reading his books. He saved my life once, and one of my life's regrets was not telling him so.
At the lowest point in my life, my husband had died soon after a deadly diagnosis. I questioned whether I could go on living. Of course, my children and family topped the list of reasons why I must. However, profoundly selfish, the piercing truth reminded me, "If I were dead, I'd never get to read Pat Conroy again.”
At the lowest point in my life, my husband had died soon after a deadly diagnosis. I questioned whether I could go on living. Of course, my children and family topped the list of reasons why I must. However, profoundly selfish, the piercing truth reminded me, "If I were dead, I'd never get to read Pat Conroy again.”
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Linda, I said this about Pat in the past: "Some say grief cannot be shared; it nests inside one’s heart and has no outside help or resolve. " and I see it happened the same with you... We are puzzled that the word still goes around on the very day our hearts are broken... I am certain Pat would have talked to you had you called him... Thank you for sharing this with us.
wrote on August 23, 2020
I watched Conrack last night. Now I want to read every book written by Mr. Pat Conway. I feel inspired. I was saddened to read he was no longer on this earth... it is a great loss.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
For the best experience I suggest you read the books in the order they were written. You'll see Pat Conroy evolving into the master story telling he became and his books as masterpieces of literature...
The Water is Wide
Th Great Santini
The Lords of Discipline
The Prince of Tides
Beach Music
My Losing Season
The Pat Conroy Cookbook**
South of Broad
My Reading Life**
**Please do not ignore the cookbook it is a lot more than the title. you will laugh in tears reading the essays of each chapter or recipe. My Reading life is a collection of unforgettable essays as well.
The Water is Wide
Th Great Santini
The Lords of Discipline
The Prince of Tides
Beach Music
My Losing Season
The Pat Conroy Cookbook**
South of Broad
My Reading Life**
**Please do not ignore the cookbook it is a lot more than the title. you will laugh in tears reading the essays of each chapter or recipe. My Reading life is a collection of unforgettable essays as well.
wrote on August 17, 2020
I met Pat at a book signing I talked to him for quite a while. I told Pat that I was one of the people involved in the Richard Nixon Billy Graham Day celebration in Charlotte NC. He used this event in his book but changed the people to be from South Carolina. Everyone that got arrested was from North Carolina.
I was arrested and the Secret Service took the film from my camera. The S.S. came to a Red Hornets meeting we figured out pretty fast he didn’t belong so we made up a bunch of fake stuff we were going to do. The only real thing was Nancy had a banner wrapped around her waist. None of us got into the Coliseum.
I had two real tickets to get in but I was arrested and taken away. When we went to trial George Daily was our Attorney. He did a good job presenting our case. But the government won. We were just hippies doing the right thing. Some times you can’t do the right thing.
I was arrested and the Secret Service took the film from my camera. The S.S. came to a Red Hornets meeting we figured out pretty fast he didn’t belong so we made up a bunch of fake stuff we were going to do. The only real thing was Nancy had a banner wrapped around her waist. None of us got into the Coliseum.
I had two real tickets to get in but I was arrested and taken away. When we went to trial George Daily was our Attorney. He did a good job presenting our case. But the government won. We were just hippies doing the right thing. Some times you can’t do the right thing.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Fascinating, Thank you for posting.
wrote on July 28, 2020
This is not a comment but a response to Mihai Radulescu's question. My last name is Lay as in "now I lay me down to sleep".
How wonderful that you actually worked on the cookbook from Cassandra's emailed transcriptions of Pat's handwritten work. When you mentioned that you pulled up the Word file and again laughed till you cried at the pig roast story, I remembered Pat's account of taking Nathalie Dupree's class and her describing, in between laconically issuing instructions to them, how she amassed the ingredients to cook a fabulous meal for a lover which consisted of escargot and calf testicles, her screams as she came back from going for wine to find the snails all over her kitchen and her screams drawing the two gay men who were her neighbors to her rescue until they saw the gruesome organs in her sink whereupon they ran screaming, thinking she might be the serial killer of gay men that was on the loose.
I tried to read this to my husband and could not get enough breath while laughing to read it. Dupree telling such an off-the-wall tale while critiquing their culinary skills was funny enough, but Pat's colorful account of her doing it was hysteria-inducing.
How wonderful that you actually worked on the cookbook from Cassandra's emailed transcriptions of Pat's handwritten work. When you mentioned that you pulled up the Word file and again laughed till you cried at the pig roast story, I remembered Pat's account of taking Nathalie Dupree's class and her describing, in between laconically issuing instructions to them, how she amassed the ingredients to cook a fabulous meal for a lover which consisted of escargot and calf testicles, her screams as she came back from going for wine to find the snails all over her kitchen and her screams drawing the two gay men who were her neighbors to her rescue until they saw the gruesome organs in her sink whereupon they ran screaming, thinking she might be the serial killer of gay men that was on the loose.
I tried to read this to my husband and could not get enough breath while laughing to read it. Dupree telling such an off-the-wall tale while critiquing their culinary skills was funny enough, but Pat's colorful account of her doing it was hysteria-inducing.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Anita, you keep making me laugh finding these hysterically hilarious passages from Pat's cooking book... I know you sent this as a comment to mine but the site doesn't have "blogging" capability to sustain an exchange so I am letting the text through as a new Guest Book entry - actually a complement to your previous message. I see you chocking with laughter trying to get the words out to your husband - well known feeling. Thank you.
wrote on July 27, 2020
So many of Pat's books have spoken to me since I first read Lords Of Discipline and The Water Is Wide at the suggestion of my daughter. But I recently had an even more enjoyable experience than Pat's fiction when I stumbled upon The Pat Conroy Cookbook. Not only were the recipes great, but the personal stories and anecdotes which accompanied them were wonderful. I alternately laughed and cried.
I wanted to live in Rome, I wanted to careen down a mountain road in Puglia, I wanted to sit at a patio table in Paris and see John Hemingway giving an interview at the next table. I wanted to learn to gig a flounder, to roast a whole hog in a pit in Atlanta (after seeing it stored in the bathtub of a Jewish friend because there wasn't room in the refrigerator ) and fib about being up all night to "mop and sop" it, and to plan an extraordinary wedding out of Southern Living in beautiful Beaufort, where I had once stayed in one of those Bay street mansions.
Such stories of a man living his life with so much gusto!! Took my breath away. Nemaste, Pat Conroy. You will be sorely missed.
I wanted to live in Rome, I wanted to careen down a mountain road in Puglia, I wanted to sit at a patio table in Paris and see John Hemingway giving an interview at the next table. I wanted to learn to gig a flounder, to roast a whole hog in a pit in Atlanta (after seeing it stored in the bathtub of a Jewish friend because there wasn't room in the refrigerator ) and fib about being up all night to "mop and sop" it, and to plan an extraordinary wedding out of Southern Living in beautiful Beaufort, where I had once stayed in one of those Bay street mansions.
Such stories of a man living his life with so much gusto!! Took my breath away. Nemaste, Pat Conroy. You will be sorely missed.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Anita, indeed some of the essays are pearls of Pat's best writing - I laughed in tears again at the scene with the pig in Cliff Graubart's bathtub. I know Cliff well, he is one of the most hilarious people I've known... so is Bernie and the others... I popped up the word file for that chapter and read it again now... (I put this book together myself from Pat's manuscript... he'd do it long hand on his yellow legal pads, then Cassandra would transcribe and email it to me, next some formatting then passed to the editor at Random House..) Thank you for bringing this up, it was fun.
wrote on July 26, 2020
I have loved Mr. Conroy's books. He wrote about subject matters I love... Watching Conrack on TV reminded me of how much I love his work.
He will always be remembered by readers everywhere...
He will always be remembered by readers everywhere...
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Thank you Babette from the beautiful Conroe one of the best places in Texas they say... Pat's family reads these messages and are truly pleased his readers remember him!
wrote on July 10, 2020
I first read Mr. Conroy's work in LIFE magazine as a kid. The article was titled CONRACK. This piece affected me tremendously. Thank you.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Tony, thank you for reminding such a long ago article... I hope you read more Pat Conroy since that LIFE Magazin article which I remember...
wrote on April 29, 2020
So after reading Beach Music for millionth time, I did some research and learned the book was originally over 1000 pages but was condensed at the insistence of his publisher. I would LOVE if the publisher would go back and release the whole uncut book. His writing is to be savored. It cannot be binged or gulped. I find the older I get, the more I understand his artistry and nostalgia.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Jennifer, my partner Marly Rusoff was around at that time. The truth is different than what some journalist might've said... there were repetitions of scenes. Pat always wrote tight small script on those yellow legal pads... so it was only after someone transcribed his handwriting (not an easy job!) into a digital file that it could be looked at properly. He always received those typed pages to add, cut, comment and actually 1000 hand written pages might easily become the 768 pages of a final book which no more than 30 pages cut. Pat was grateful to his editor Nan Talese.
For more details on this and many other matters see the upcoming biography "Man on Fire" by Catherine Seltzer; a definitive work on Pat.
Thank you for your love of Pat Conroy writing...
For more details on this and many other matters see the upcoming biography "Man on Fire" by Catherine Seltzer; a definitive work on Pat.
Thank you for your love of Pat Conroy writing...
wrote on April 15, 2020
I have read just about all of Pat's books. I have yet to find one that didn't transport me to a different place and time, with beautiful language, creative plotting, and, most of all, heart. My heartfelt thanks to him and to his English teachers.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Wonderful you reminded us all the impact Pat's English teachers had on his career. The essays on Gene Norris in MY READING LIFE named "The Teacher" is a wonderful recognition of that... Thank you.
wrote on April 5, 2020
It was from watching The Great Santini in 1986 that I finally understood that my father who was always gone and was a mean person was actually wanting love more than anything from his children and didn’t know how to reach for it. Because of that movie I understood who my father was and at this moment, March 2020, tears are flowing as I write this. After watching The Great Santini I started hugging my father every time I saw him and saying I LOVE YOU and each time the rigidity in his hug wained and after a short time he said he loved me too... something he’d never done before…
THE GREAT SANTINI IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST MOVIE FOR ANY KID WHO HAS A FATHER IN ANY SERVICE... After watching that movie I told other military brats about it and they ALL reported back that it worked.. just saying I love you and hugging their fathers... we were all shocked that it was the simplest thing that changed them from being mean and harmful to the most gentle of fathers.
Brats... you must understand the whole issue is they feel apart and they vent it thru verbal or physical abuse or mental abuse… in 1986 when I first saw the movie I never understood my father… realization came to me while watching and I was weeping watching the movie and thinking... I have you now!!! And I did the hugging and saying I LOVE YOU… JUST DECIMATED HIM… MY FATHER NEVER AFTER THAT SAID A UNKIND THING TO ME. It was just praise!
I was 25 then and now I’m 58 and as I’m saying this I am crying... but they are tears of absolute joy! Cause my father was so mean... but like I said after the movie so beautifully says BOGEY ON YOUR SIX… I LOVE YOU DAD… I SHOT HIS ASS DOWN SO HARD HE COULD NEVER EVER BE MEAN TO ME AGAIN... he just wanted to really know that his kids loved him!
I hope what worked for me will work for you and your family!
THE GREAT SANTINI IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST MOVIE FOR ANY KID WHO HAS A FATHER IN ANY SERVICE... After watching that movie I told other military brats about it and they ALL reported back that it worked.. just saying I love you and hugging their fathers... we were all shocked that it was the simplest thing that changed them from being mean and harmful to the most gentle of fathers.
Brats... you must understand the whole issue is they feel apart and they vent it thru verbal or physical abuse or mental abuse… in 1986 when I first saw the movie I never understood my father… realization came to me while watching and I was weeping watching the movie and thinking... I have you now!!! And I did the hugging and saying I LOVE YOU… JUST DECIMATED HIM… MY FATHER NEVER AFTER THAT SAID A UNKIND THING TO ME. It was just praise!
I was 25 then and now I’m 58 and as I’m saying this I am crying... but they are tears of absolute joy! Cause my father was so mean... but like I said after the movie so beautifully says BOGEY ON YOUR SIX… I LOVE YOU DAD… I SHOT HIS ASS DOWN SO HARD HE COULD NEVER EVER BE MEAN TO ME AGAIN... he just wanted to really know that his kids loved him!
I hope what worked for me will work for you and your family!
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
Chip, this is so interesting... you gave us all a lesson in Santini/Pat Conroy dynamics. I know the family and many friends and fans will read this. Thank you for sharing - you'll here from us!
wrote on March 21, 2020
3/21/2020 - Just finished "South of Broad" for the second time - enjoyed it even more the second time around. In talking to book-lover friends about favorite books and authors, my first words are "South of Broad" and "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy--I will pass "South of Broad" onto a friend who is a graduate of Citadel. So sorry that Pat had to leave us.
Agency Reply by: Mihai Radulescu
One day these two books will be made into movies... both have some financial lien on them now, so we, the agency, are hoping that some big "muscle" will come in to handle this. We had recent interest in South of Broad but the country is focused on the big health picture so to speak...
After all these titles have millions or readers; something is bound to happen... Thank you for writing to this site and keeping Pat's legacy alive...
After all these titles have millions or readers; something is bound to happen... Thank you for writing to this site and keeping Pat's legacy alive...