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
192 entries.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
wrote on January 24, 2020
I Started reading Pat Conroy’s 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 couldn’t 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. There’s really no one like him. My brother used to drive me around Mr. Pat Conroy’s 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 .
Agency Reply:
Wonderful to hear Pat's books reached far away lands. I am very pleased you read A Lowcountry Heart... my name is in that book in Pat's first essay and then later in Cassandra's acknowledgments. Pat's books were translated in many, many languages. Thank you for writing this.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Come to Beaufort to see the places he so masterfully described; come and visit the center.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
You are right; "there will never be another Pat" and that is heartbreaking.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Paula, perhaps something would take shape from the unfinished work Pat left behind. Thank you for your words. Pat's readers, family and friends read these messages.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Louisa for thinking of Pat. We must not forget him!
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Pam Darrow - the family will know soon about your wishes. Kathy, Pat's sister visits this guest book often.
wrote on January 23, 2020
I’ve loved every one I’ve read! A master at storytelling! Each book sends a message if you look and listen. So sad he’s gone but books are forever.
wrote on January 23, 2020
Mr. Conroy came to Fairhope, Alabama to promote “South of Broad” 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.
Agency Reply:
Indeed "mesmerize" is the right word for Pat's power to draw in us his readers. Thank you.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
This is less known period in Pat's life but I suspect it will be brought to light in the extraordinary biography by Catherine Seltzer coming out from Random House in 2021.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Pat left two unfinished novels... He hope to find ways to handle this... Thank you for the kind words.
wrote on January 23, 2020
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.
Agency Reply:
Marly Rusoff Pat's agent had a bookstore in Dinkitown and that was where Marly and Pat met the first time two decades ago... then he came a few more times with his daughters to the north shore. Your "Minesota" origin caught my eye. Thaank you for writing.
wrote on December 24, 2019
And the very Best Christmas to every one of you. Pat lives in our hearts, in every paragraph on every page ~ (there's a lovely red ornament I couldn't copy onto my comment, and it makes the loving statement, not my humble words) 2019
Agency Reply:
Words that come from the heart could be humble; they may not be filtered through our intellect since they come from our emotions. Yours are delightful to us. Thank you for writing to Pat...
wrote on December 23, 2019
I didn't discover Pat Conroy's books until after he had passed away. I actually went on a SC trip that included a walking tour of Beaufort, where Pat Conroy's house and other landmarks that were used in the films of his books were pointed out. Then I started reading.
I was very shocked to find out that Pat lived on the street I grew up on in Arlington and went to the same school I attended. What a small world! I wish I would have had a chance to meet him.
I was very shocked to find out that Pat lived on the street I grew up on in Arlington and went to the same school I attended. What a small world! I wish I would have had a chance to meet him.
Agency Reply:
Teri, "then I started reading" you say... You will never stop until you read them all. I read them in the order they were written thus I saw Pat growing into his "trade" as of one of the most skillful wordsmiths of our time...
wrote on December 12, 2019
I have read PRINCE OF TIDES twice over the last few years and loved it each time. As my vision is failing I have taken more to audiobooks. I recently began the book again and all I can say is the narrator is a genius. The pace and tenor of his reading brings the whole story, the characters and Pat’s intent out to a richer experience.
wrote on December 12, 2019
My life is so much better because Pat Conroy fulfilled his purpose and wrote beautifully.