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
184 entries.
wrote on September 18, 2019
I have been a longtime fan of Pat Conroy's work and have read many of his books. Recently, while visiting in New England, I purchased a copy of "The Death of Santini" in a quaint little bookstore in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I was delighted to find it, as I hadn’t known about this one. Upon my return to Georgia, I couldn’t wait to dive into it.
Twenty-odd years ago, when we were living on the coast of Maine, I recall being so moved by "The Prince of Tides" that I wrote my first and only other letter to an author, sending it to the publisher with no real hope that it would ever find its way to Pat A couple of months later, to my great surprise, Pat called me at our home in Kennebunk, Maine, an act of kindness that I shall always remember.
Having also been raised as a "military brat" with an abusive father. in his remarkable way, Pat pulled the scabs off these old wounds, but in doing so was also able to apply a salve to help heal them.
I shall always be grateful for Pat's incredible insights, amazing storytelling, and his amazing ability to capture the essence of who we are, in beautiful and unvarnished ways.
Twenty-odd years ago, when we were living on the coast of Maine, I recall being so moved by "The Prince of Tides" that I wrote my first and only other letter to an author, sending it to the publisher with no real hope that it would ever find its way to Pat A couple of months later, to my great surprise, Pat called me at our home in Kennebunk, Maine, an act of kindness that I shall always remember.
Having also been raised as a "military brat" with an abusive father. in his remarkable way, Pat pulled the scabs off these old wounds, but in doing so was also able to apply a salve to help heal them.
I shall always be grateful for Pat's incredible insights, amazing storytelling, and his amazing ability to capture the essence of who we are, in beautiful and unvarnished ways.
Agency Reply:
Such a heartfelt message to The Prince of Words - he is no longer with us in the sense that we could watch him inscribing a book for us and chatting with us always interested in our "story" - but he is with us and always be through we words we so cherish...
wrote on September 7, 2019
How did I miss this book, My Reading Life? Just finished the audio version and, oh my, I think I will buy the book as well..... but in this case, hearing it come from his voice was so powerful for me. Like a great book of fiction, I am mourning that it is over. That surprises me. When Pat Conroy was truly passionate about something, he certainly could make you passionate about it as well. Such an amazing gift!
As I listened to this, so much of it resonated with me. When he talked about James Dickey and how he promised himself that if he met him he would not become a blubbering idiot (not his words, mine), I thought, I felt that way about you Pat! And I did. The difference between those 2 situations I think is that he said once he met James Dickey he thought Mr. Dickey would have thought it an appropriate reaction. Lol. I don't think Mr. Conroy would have felt that way.
So much I could say! So much! But I think a big part of what I admire is that he took his pain and turned it into a thing of beauty. Without covering it up. As he said at the end of this book when he described the Japanese art of repairing pottery without covering up the crack. His skill with words made him a master at metaphor.
I will always miss his potent voice. So thankful I found it long ago.
As I listened to this, so much of it resonated with me. When he talked about James Dickey and how he promised himself that if he met him he would not become a blubbering idiot (not his words, mine), I thought, I felt that way about you Pat! And I did. The difference between those 2 situations I think is that he said once he met James Dickey he thought Mr. Dickey would have thought it an appropriate reaction. Lol. I don't think Mr. Conroy would have felt that way.
So much I could say! So much! But I think a big part of what I admire is that he took his pain and turned it into a thing of beauty. Without covering it up. As he said at the end of this book when he described the Japanese art of repairing pottery without covering up the crack. His skill with words made him a master at metaphor.
I will always miss his potent voice. So thankful I found it long ago.
Agency Reply:
Indeed Pat had the gift of easily sharing his passion and even make us share his "displeasure" for other things (Letter to the editor of Charleston Gazette comes to mind) Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
wrote on September 4, 2019
Pat entered The Citadel in the Fall of 1963 after I had graduated in June. My wife and I now live in a 119 year old house in Pisgah Forest, NC. The house was once owned by Hamilton Basso who wrote The View From Pompey;s Head. I met Pat for the first time after I was inducted into The Citadel athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. I attended his induction into the same Hall of Fame. When he found out that we owned the house that Basso lived in he said he would send us a few 1st edition Basso books and he did. Those books have a special place on our bookshelf. Pat said Basso (a good friend of Thomas Wolfe) was one of his favorite authors.
Pat and his books will never be forgotten.
Pat and his books will never be forgotten.
Agency Reply:
This is a lovely memory for you and for us as well. We cherish all these tidbits of information we gather on Pat. We know this is past but it helps us understand better the man we so loved... Thank you
wrote on August 24, 2019
My husband & I are leaving HHI and the lowlands today after yet another amazing week. We celebrated 52 years of marriage on 8/19/19 and we both have enjoyed all of Pat Conroy’s books! He touched so many lives and through his works he will continue to live in the hearts of many.
Agency Reply:
Congratulations on fifty two years of marriage. It appears you are the second family in a few days to celebrate half a century of life together and to do so in the lowcountry... Even though I said it below this always comes in my mind that life is never long enough to say all that needs to be said, especially to those we love.
wrote on August 17, 2019
My wife, Julie, and I are celebrating 50 years of marriage by vacationing in Pat Conroy country. Just today (8/17/19) we visited Pat’s gravesite in St Helena Memorial Garden. Julie placed a pen on his grave. We felt the loss of a friend as well as a gifted American author. “Thank you, Pat, writing the hard truth in great love.”
Agency Reply:
Congratulations on fifty years of marriage. I imagine you are among the fortunate ones - as am I - to have found a life partner to share in our journey.
Pat always honored the writers he revered by visiting their grave sites, I know he would be very moved to know that you chose to visit his. In fact we are all grateful to you for taking the time to share your experience today with us.
We all need reminders that life is never long enough to say all that needs to be said, especially to those we love.
Pat always honored the writers he revered by visiting their grave sites, I know he would be very moved to know that you chose to visit his. In fact we are all grateful to you for taking the time to share your experience today with us.
We all need reminders that life is never long enough to say all that needs to be said, especially to those we love.
wrote on August 13, 2019
When I was a kid I caught glimpses of the movie, The Prince of Tides. I was mesmerized. Later in high school I discovered it was a novel and read it shortly after. That book, as a writer and Southerner myself, inspired me greatly. Pat Conroy's words melted in my mouth like butter. Such an amazing writer and I am definitely going to read all his works. I just now found out that he died, so upsetting, he was so young. But he left such a legacy behind and I am very grateful for that. Pat, you will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace dear one.
Agency Reply:
Thank you for such a heartfelt message. We move Pat's site to a new technology and can no longer use the old Guest Book. That had thousands of records and I knew Pat use to read it... He drew strength from his readers' acceptance and support.
wrote on August 8, 2019
I’m so inspired by his work. He made me fall in love with South Carolina.
Agency Reply:
Just come to Beaufort. While South Carolina is a great state Beaufort is an unique place where some of the history of the civil war has its incipient roots. The ecosystem of the marshes does not have other parallel in the US. Come see those marshes where 'everybody feeds on somebody' (shrimp, fish-lots of it, oysters, birds and more).
And the rise and fall of the tides that makes it all come and stay alive. Quite remarkable!
And the rise and fall of the tides that makes it all come and stay alive. Quite remarkable!
wrote on August 1, 2019
It's funny one of my favorite movies growing up was "Conrack" years later I found this great author I loved and started collecting his books but couldn't find a copy of " The Water is Wide" finally after a local bookstore kept the title on a list of requests I got one imagine my suprise and delight when I realized that Pat Conroy was Conrack, later when The Prince of Tides came out it became one of my top 2 or 3 favorites then he wrote Beach Music in my opinion an even better book. By now I've read each of those at least 4-5 times each.
Thank you Mr Conroy for some of my favorite moments in reading.
So sad to hear of his death.
Thank you Mr Conroy for some of my favorite moments in reading.
So sad to hear of his death.
Agency Reply:
Thank you. I read them all like you and often came back to some of Pat's works and it will be this way time and again since Conroy is quite unforgettable...
wrote on July 19, 2019
I am headed down to Charleston for the first time this coming week with my son, and happened upon Pat Controy's website. He was one of the most influential authors in my life. I had the chance to meet him when he visited his Citadel classmate John Warley; I lived across the street from the Warley's in Newport News VA, and they knew how much I loved Pat Conroy. I was 13, and I will never forget that moment.
Agency Reply:
This is so wonderful. You mean you were 13? That'd be some young reader....
wrote on July 13, 2019
The Prince of Tides
xo
xo
wrote on July 13, 2019
On July 2, 2019, I found a big, fat paperback book on the beach of Doran Regional Park in Sonoma County (California pacific coast) while traveling with my family. ...
Today is July 13, 2019 and I’ve finished the novel. Wowza! What a read.
I’m sorry to learn of Mr Conroy’s passing (via Wikipedia), but am grateful for his publications.
Thank you, Team Conroy
Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Petrick
From The San Francisco Bay Area, By way of Southern California Beach Cities, and the northeastern Mesabi Iron range of Minnesota
Today is July 13, 2019 and I’ve finished the novel. Wowza! What a read.
I’m sorry to learn of Mr Conroy’s passing (via Wikipedia), but am grateful for his publications.
Thank you, Team Conroy
Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Petrick
From The San Francisco Bay Area, By way of Southern California Beach Cities, and the northeastern Mesabi Iron range of Minnesota
Agency Reply:
Jennifer, please tell us what book (title) you found on the beach; we have a similar story from the past...
wrote on July 12, 2019
I am about half way through "The Great Santini" and I believe this is going to be a very long journey. Is there any order in which I should read your books. I intend to read them all... I am from US Naval Aviation stock and these writings fit right in with me. I'm glad your books have found their way into my home. Thank you.
Agency Reply:
Pat wrote the books in this order: The Boo (1970 self published) The Water is Wide (1972), The Great Santini (1976), The Lords of Discipline (1980), The Prince of Tides (1986), Beach Music (1995), My Losing Losing Season (2002), The Pat Conroy Cookbook (2004), South of Broad (2009), My Reading Life (2010), The Death of Santini (2013)
wrote on July 11, 2019
I am in the middle of his book Beach music and decided I wanted to do some research on Conroy. What I came up with appeared to be shockingly close to the life that my grandfather has led. His books make more sense to me now because I can see where he was coming from and I have an image when I read his words that makes me enticed and fascinated. Thank you, Pat.
wrote on July 2, 2019
"Pat. I'm sorry to have never known you. I feel as if I did."
I was born the same year as Pat and knew of him at the beginning of his career, reading "The Water is Wide" upon publication and then reading "The Boo". I knew a Citadel classmate of his in Pensacola in 1968 when he and my husband were training to fly helicopters in Viet Nam.
As time passed, I systematically waited for each new book with baited breath as I shared the Marine Corps, teaching, and writing with Pat. It took me a lot longer to become an author and I shall never possess the gift of painting lovely visuals with my words as did he, the master of the art.
I had the pleasure of meeting Cassandra and sharing a luncheon table with her at a writers' conference about a year before Pat's death. Hope was still alive that I would one day meet the great man, too.
Alas, I did not, but I did travel to the low-country cemetery along dirt roads to view his simple grave within a rusted wire fence enclosure. His SC soil-covered grave was covered with seashells from the waters he so loved. A loving touch -- perhaps from the children whose lives meant so much to him.
Lord, Pat. I miss you.
I was born the same year as Pat and knew of him at the beginning of his career, reading "The Water is Wide" upon publication and then reading "The Boo". I knew a Citadel classmate of his in Pensacola in 1968 when he and my husband were training to fly helicopters in Viet Nam.
As time passed, I systematically waited for each new book with baited breath as I shared the Marine Corps, teaching, and writing with Pat. It took me a lot longer to become an author and I shall never possess the gift of painting lovely visuals with my words as did he, the master of the art.
I had the pleasure of meeting Cassandra and sharing a luncheon table with her at a writers' conference about a year before Pat's death. Hope was still alive that I would one day meet the great man, too.
Alas, I did not, but I did travel to the low-country cemetery along dirt roads to view his simple grave within a rusted wire fence enclosure. His SC soil-covered grave was covered with seashells from the waters he so loved. A loving touch -- perhaps from the children whose lives meant so much to him.
Lord, Pat. I miss you.
Agency Reply:
Thank you Lyla, this is so moving.
wrote on June 28, 2019
Dear Mihai,
I count myself among the millions of fans whose lives have been deeply and profoundly impacted by Pat Conroy's writing.
His canon of work is an embarrassment of riches. As film and TV producers, we would love to discuss adaptation rights. We know his legacy will continue to reach even wider audiences, and would love to be part of that.
Warm regards,
I count myself among the millions of fans whose lives have been deeply and profoundly impacted by Pat Conroy's writing.
His canon of work is an embarrassment of riches. As film and TV producers, we would love to discuss adaptation rights. We know his legacy will continue to reach even wider audiences, and would love to be part of that.
Warm regards,
Agency Reply:
Thank you for your interest; we are delighted and will continue the conversation.
wrote on June 26, 2019
Have just finished The Great Santini, my fifth Pat Conroy. Like the others, a brilliant book full of insight, wisdom and beautiful writing. Thank you Pat Conroy, you shared a wonderful gift with the world.
Agency Reply:
I don't know if you already read "My Reading Life" but this is a small book that contains some gems of essays. I very much like the preface Pat wrote for "Gone with the Wind" - fascinating to see the South at that time through Pat's eye and brilliant turn of the phrase...
wrote on June 22, 2019
I am re reading The Lords of Discipline for about the 20th time. I really miss your beautiful writing Mr. Conroy and am overcome with gratitude to "return to the city of Charleston, South Carolina ". Tonight I wear the ring as well.
wrote on June 14, 2019
I would like to express my gratitude to Pat for writing The Great Santini. I am a former naval aviator, flying off aircraft carriers in a Douglas Skyraider.. Pat's childhood and mine are similar.
I was raised by an insecure, hot tempered and controlling father. Reading Pat's accounting of his childhood validated my own feelings and reactions. Dealing with them is a lifelong process and it is a constant struggle to stay ahead of them and not fall back into the same pattern with my own children.
I'm sure Pat's story has helped others as well as myself. I regret that I didn't read The Great Santini and The Death of Santini until I was 81 years old.
I was raised by an insecure, hot tempered and controlling father. Reading Pat's accounting of his childhood validated my own feelings and reactions. Dealing with them is a lifelong process and it is a constant struggle to stay ahead of them and not fall back into the same pattern with my own children.
I'm sure Pat's story has helped others as well as myself. I regret that I didn't read The Great Santini and The Death of Santini until I was 81 years old.
Agency Reply:
I am so happy to see your message. It means so much to so many people who identify with Pat's characters in "The Great Santini" - by now we all know what that means...
wrote on May 27, 2019
I just finished The Water is Wide in less than two days. Just couldn’t put this gem of a book down. As a former public school teacher, and really as just a human being, I’m incredibly moved by Pat’s fortitude in the face of virtually insurmountable odds. It’s my first Pat Conway book and can’t wait to read the rest. So happy I found him, many years late, but not too late! So touched!
Agency Reply:
You know we lost Pat Conroy on March 4, 2016 but we will never forget him; we try to preserve his legacy... You should read his books in the order that they were written. You will see him grow and reach the heights of literary achievements. (This is Mihai Radulescu Pat's literary agent and friend)
wrote on April 24, 2019
My introduction to Pat Conroy was an article in the Atlanta Journal newspaper probably 30 years ago entitled "Confessions of an Ex-Catholic", which brilliantly and with great humor detailed my own feelings. From there, reading his Water is Wide and hearing him speak at Emory University solidified my love of all things Pat Conroy. His humbleness, compassion, kindness, humor, self deprecation, generosity of spirit, openness, and brilliance make him such an unusual and beloved person. Sharing with the world his own personal struggles with his mental health and depression so candidly gives the rest of us hope. The world suffered a deep loss when we lost him. Thank you for continuing this site in his honor.