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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176 entries.
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. Iโve fallen in love.... sorry Mrs. Conroy.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 โSouth of Broadโ aloud on our trip. In typical Conroy fashion, he replied, โI am so sorry!!โ....๐
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.
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.
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 โThe Water is Wideโ 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 couldnโt put them down. A voice talking to our very hearts silenced forever!
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.
I Started reading Pat Conroyโs books by accident . I had never heard of him. But one day while I was in a book shop in Cairo I saw the title of his book The Prince of Tides and after buying it I couldnโt put it down till I finished it and when I returned to same bookstore I found his one more of his books (Beach Music) so when I traveled to South Carolina where my older brother lived with his American wife, I made sure that I bought all of his books. After his passing I bought a book about him called A Lowcountry Heart which is a reflection on his writing life. I often read his books over and over. Thereโs really no one like him. My brother used to drive me around Mr. Pat Conroyโs home while I was in Beaufort. I sometimes wish that at the time I had enough courage to go up to his door and let him know that he was so loved and respected by an Egyptian woman .
I read South of Broad before Pat died and I wrote a passage describing the low country in a journal, knowing I had discovered something exquisite. It was the best writing I had ever read. From there I read all of his books.I felt devastated when he passed away. I am planning to visit Beaufort one day.
I never knew I could miss someone I never met, as much as I have missed Pat Conroy. His words flowed, and touch the soul. I would wait for his next release and read until the book was finished. His characters became like family members, and you could suffer as well as celebrate their lives. There will never be another Pat.
Thanks Pat. You've made me laugh, made me cry, made me think, made me feel, and helped me see through another's eyes. I could only wish for another book.
I have in my collection every book that Pat Conroy wrote and I have read them over and over. One of my greatest joys has been to spend time with his books. In my opinion he is the best and I wish he was still with us to write more books. I think because there were a lot of his personal thoughts and experiences weaved in his storytelling that he was able to draw people. Rest in peace PC , I sure miss your books.
I have been a fan of Pat Conroy since I read The Prince of Tides more than 30 years ago. That novel remains my favorite of his, and probably all others. He had such an amazing talent and is sorely missed. Much love to his family and in honor of his legacy.
Iโve loved every one Iโve read! A master at storytelling! Each book sends a message if you look and listen. So sad heโs gone but books are forever.
Mr. Conroy came to Fairhope, Alabama to promote โSouth of Broadโ and he came up to the podium and talked and made us laugh and captivated us for over an hour without taking a breath or a sip of water. My girlfriend and I were mesmerized and had no idea we had listened to him for over an hour and never moved! He was just as attentive and nice when he signed our books. I treasure it to this day.
A VERY LONG time ago, Pat and I attended St. James School in Orlando Fla. He was such a nice young man, we suffered together through the nuns and priests. When I first heard he wrote Prince of Tides I was thunderstruck. I could not believe that was "my Pat" from childhood. Small world.
I have read all of Pat Conroy's books. After I read the first one I knew I had to read all of them. He was truly head and shoulders above the rest! I don't think there will ever be another like him!
You'll want to read his books slowly even if you are a speed reader to savor the rich language.
I miss him so much and wish he'd had more time to author more of those wonderful books.
You'll want to read his books slowly even if you are a speed reader to savor the rich language.
I miss him so much and wish he'd had more time to author more of those wonderful books.
Pat Conroy was more than an author to me. He was that of course; his writing frquently made me stop and reread and treasure his words. He taught me what kind of person I wanted to be when I read The Water Is Wide as a young girl in Alabama. Along with Harper Lee, Conroy edged me gently into rejecting the racism and cruelty I saw around me. I am forever grateful to his gifts to me, and to us. He was able to take his pain and turned it through his great gift into blessings for so many of us.