Guest Book - Pat Conroy

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.

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187 entries.

Anita R. Lay from Amelia Island, FL 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.

Agency Reply:

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.

BabettE WITHERSPOON from Conroe, TX 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...

Agency Reply:

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!

Tony Quintero from Olathe, KS 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:

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...

Jennifer from WiLmington, NC 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:

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...

John Wandling from Hampton, VA 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:

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.

Chip from Bart TX 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!

Agency Reply:

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!

Imogene Enzweiler from Florence, Kentucky 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:

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...

Patricia DeGemmis from Stratford wrote on March 4, 2020

I just wanted to add after reading Cassandra's and Bernie's memoirs, that I realized how much Pat revered teachers.

When the" Water is Wide" came out, I had just started teaching in the inner city in CT and I so related to that story!
( I am now retired from 35 years teaching in the inner city).

Agency Reply:

Patricia, we treasure all these messages. It is the way we see Pat alive through his readers eyes and stories. Indeed THE WATERS IS WIDE made some people go into teaching... You already heard your call before and you were already there!! Thank you for writing to Pat who certainly loved teachers!

Patricia DeGemmis from Stratford wrote on March 1, 2020

Well. My high school boyfriend went to the Citadel. My first husband went there too. I visited my HS boyfriend who played football for the Citadel.

I have heard many stories about it. My first husband and I attended a reunion. He was also in the class of 1967 and was in Pat's English class. He was in a different company so I don't think they were that friendly but I did have a chance to meet the famous "Boo" at that reunion after many stories about him. I was thrilled both times to visit the Citadel.

I have read every book that Pat has written and relished each one in a different way. I have seen some made into movies and I feel ( like most of his avid fans) that I know him.
I am reading Cassandra's "Tell Me A Story" and I am SO thankful to her for writing it. I know it must have been difficult.
I too married later in life and I find the story close to my own heart. I only wish her story hadn't ended so abruptly. It made me cry tears of joy as well as sadness.
The one 1967 reunion I attended with my husband, I was hoping to see Pat Conroy but that did not happen.
One of my wishes is to take a trip to Beaufort,SC
Thanks for all the great stories.

Agency Reply:

You are part of a large tribe whose hearts are so full of sadness for losing our Prince of Words. Indeed Cassandra's writing wasn't easy and she heroically fought many emotions to finish it. We all thank you for writing here; it shows how many people think of Pat. One person who checks this page often is Kathy Harvey Pat's sister who, now retired, works as a docent for the center - she is also on the board of directors for The Pat Conroy Literary Center. She'll be pleased to read your message!

John W. Uecke from St. Helena island, Sc wrote on February 24, 2020

Thanks to all who maintain/share the spirit of Pat Conroy who continues to enrich our lives into eternity.

Agency Reply:

Your words are so true and poetic... Thank you John.

Bob Rubin from Encinitas wrote on February 19, 2020

I have so enjoyed in my now six year retirement reading much of Pat's work. I had an emotionally abusive father about whom I have written in my own published memoirs. Pat brings me humor and inner peace as I keep on forgiving my long dead father.
I too was born in 1945 and share the joys and troubles of our joint years growing up in the land of the free.

I am saddened that two years into my retirement we lost Pat but we will never lose his love for our beautiful language, the sheer poetry that was his best prose and his brilliant wit that gave perhaps most of us belly laughs.
Thank you from the depths of my healing soul Pat.

Agency Reply:

Wonderful reminder of who Pat was and still is. Thank you Bob.

Pamela Hetherington from Litchfield Park wrote on February 8, 2020

My current Pat Conroy audiobook is The water is Wide. I am amazed how each narrator captures the southern nature of the characters. So much fun! the last book I listened to was South of Broad and I balled... BALLED... through the last 3 hours of the book. I have never been so in love with an author as I am with this literary genius. The Prince of Tides is the book that got me hooked. I’ve fallen in love.... sorry Mrs. Conroy.

Agency Reply:

It is readers like you who keep Pat's legacy alive. Thank you so much.

Duane Sarazin from Hastings wrote on January 30, 2020

I just finished "The Great Santini". Pat Conroy's writing is stunningly perceptive, irreverent and reverent at the same time. He was a uniquely gifted in turning a phrase, painting a character, singing a soul's song and inviting us readers into his domain. I am saddened to see that he passed away in 2016. Yet, his spirit lives on; and may God continue to enjoy this child of His Creation. Thank you. D. Sarazin

Agency Reply:

Wonderfully said. We hope you read more of his books. You will not be disappointed.

Cynthia Russell from Bluffton, SC wrote on January 27, 2020

I first fell in love with Pat and his writing in 1971 or 1972 while reading an excerpt in Life Magazine of "The Water is Wide", and anxiously awaited every new book. Fortunately I have first editions of all of his books with the exception of "The Boo", but I was able find an autographed copy while visiting Hilton Head Island.

I was also fortunate enough to meet Pat at a book signing in Decatur, Georgia, when his cookbook was released. I lived most of my life in Atlanta, Georgia, though I had been coming to Hilton Head since 1969 when it was being developed. Fortunately I was finally able to move to The Lowcountry in 2018 and never want to live anywhere else. I treasure all of Pat's writings and am so sorry we'll have no more.

Agency Reply:

As I said elsewhere in this guest book, Pat left some unfinished work and he hope to make it work...

Roger Johnson from Middlesex, NC wrote on January 26, 2020

I recently started reading during the last four months and the first book I found was "My Losing Season" by Pat Conroy. I want to say that the way he wrote grab my attention and desire to read all of his work.
I went to every thrift store or used book store, as well as, Facebook marketplace looking for his work. I happened upon most of his writing and even found some autographed hard copies which I absolutely treasure. The hardest book to find was "The Boo" that I received from my wife for Christmas along with five biographies about Pat Conroy.

I am digesting all of these books and have been completely moved with all of my emotions through my reading. Isn't this what good books do to the soul, of reaching inside and allowing you to experience it all. I will one day visit Pat Conroy's beloved city and smell the words that he has written about in his books. Thank you to all who keep his memory alive.

Agency Reply:

Yes Roger, as I said to others... this is what "good books" do so please continue to read Pat Conroy who will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and you will raise and fall with the tide of English language at its best...

Lori Mcgrath from Fripp island wrote on January 25, 2020

I had the pleasure of knowing Pat personally as we both lived on Fripp Island. My last meeting with Pat was shortly before his death in Mangoes Island Gift Store on Fripp. I related to Pat how my daughter, Kelly, and I had driven from Fripp to Flagstaff and read his book “South of Broad” aloud on our trip. In typical Conroy fashion, he replied, “I am so sorry!!”....😄

Agency Reply:

Funny; indeed typical Conroy - he liked to make jokes all the time...

Barry Lourie from Columbia, SC wrote on January 25, 2020

Pat Conroy was not just a great author. He seemed to be part of South Carolina's folklore. He was a great humanitarian, a great human being, and a great South Carolinian. He will be missed.

Marisa Sherard from Beaufort wrote on January 25, 2020

I met Pat at the Smithsonian Institute years ago when he was on tour for Beach Music. I was lulled by his wonderful voice and soothed by his magical words. Then years later, close to retirement and looking for a beach town where to live, I found Beaufort and discovered Pat lived and loved this small town and his people. So, here I am, breathing the wonderful air, walking the same beach, living the lowcountry life that Pat so much loved and immortalized in his stories. So thank you Pat.

Agency Reply:

Indeed Pat did this to many people; he must be "responsible" for quite some new Beaufortonians.

Daphne Hampton from Ellenboro, NC wrote on January 24, 2020

I met Pat Conroy when I was a student at Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. He came to speak to our literature class after “The Water is Wide” was published. He got me with his first book and I waited to read every book he wrote with bated breathe. He was so personable and funny. He said he found a town named Frog Level, but had trouble finding Boiling Springs. All his books held me under some kind of spell. I couldn’t put them down. A voice talking to our very hearts silenced forever!

Agency Reply:

He always made friendly jokes and he loved mentoring young people...

John Lum wrote on January 24, 2020

I began reading Pat Conroy's books when a friend of the family visited me where I worked at a bookstore. She was purchasing several of Pat's books and glowingly recommended several titles to me. After she leant me "The Prince of Tides" I avidly read the rest of his books including the (then) hard-to-find "The Boo" Pat and his candid, engaging, and eloquently written books are missed.

Agency Reply:

Thank you for reminding us about bookstores. They were so good at promoting Pat's books.