South of Broad
discussion
Which Pat Conroy Book is Your Favorite
Have you ever read any of his nonfiction? My Losing Season is almost an overlay of The Great Santini because it goes into great detail about his relationship with his father. Of course, The Water is Wide (the first book he published to a large audience) is his memoir about teaching on Dafuskie Island, and it has his wonderful wit and attention to the beautiful melodies of the English language. My Reading Life is also really great. But the most enjoyable of his nonfiction books, I think, is his cookbook. Conroy's never been known for his humor, but this book has some hilarious stories.I can't wait for The Death of Santini, the memoir about his father he's reportedly finishing now.
Easily "The Prince of Tides", but I have hopes for "Beach Music".
Pat Conroy is my favorite author, his best novel to me is South of Broad. I have not read that in over two years and I can still tell you how much I enjoyed it. I love the setting of the novel, the unique characters and how it ended. It is one of the most touching novels I have ever read. I felt like I was an actual character in the story,experiencing the same triumphs and headaches, they were experiencing.I have read many books in the past but there is not any book that tops this!
I've looked at "My Reading Life" but have not gotten it yet. I lso thought about "The Water is Wide.". Didn't realze it was abiyt Dafuskie Island. I lofe Hilton Head.
"Prince of Tides". No contest.
Having been involved with athletics all my life and attended a maritime academy, "My Losing Season" struck a cord. While my academy experince was nothing like what Conroy experienced at The Citadel, I could still relate. I have also seen some coaches like Mel Thompson.I now teach and so really enjoyed "The Water is Wide". Every teacher should read it.
I've read them all but none compare to "The Prince of Tides" and it remains my favorite.
Conroy is a favorite author- love his fiction and non fiction- but I agree with Jan and Elizabeth- Prince of Tides!
Beach Music by far!
The Prince of Tides with The Great Santini not far behind. I, too, have read them all and Prince remains the standout, although the film lacked the power and punch of the book. Conroy's writing is exquisite, almost poetic the way his sentences just drip with color and sound. His masterful descriptions of the south have always wanted to make me visit there, especially South Carolina.
The Prince of Tides was the best -- especially the audio versioned by Frank Mueller. The movie couldn't begin to encompass the scope of the story.
I've read all of them,but my favorite is still "The Water is Wide". Also liked "The Great Santini" and "The Lords of Discipline" better than the later ones.
Beach Music, I've read it so many times! The Water is Wide was the first of his books I read so that holds a special place in my heart for introducing me to Conroy's writing.
Tough choice for me between The Water is Wide and My Losing Season
In my favorite order, Beach Music, by far, and then The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.
Beach Music and South of Broad. Both have rich characters and communities.
Beach Music forever changed my views on so many things. I wept with Jack, Jordan, Max the great Jew etc... I've read it several times now and can't get enough of reading it over and over again. Prior to reading any of Pat Conroy's work, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry was my all time favorite but Beach Music just got me. Gus McCrae couldn't do anything to stop it. I still love McMurtry since their style is totally different but Pat Conroy's now the author of my all time favorite book! Second best,IMO out of Conroy's work is the Prince Of Tides :)btw I'm currently reading South of Broad...
Prince of Tides is one of my all-time favorite books (in the top 50, I'd say). I grew up on the waterways of the South; around shrimp fishermen in particular, and in his descriptions of the marshes and Outer Banks, I can smell the salt-tang, I can feel the wind-burn on my face, and I can feel the motion of the boat under my feet. His writing is absolutely lyrical.I wrote Pat Conroy a "fan letter" after I read that book and he actually sent me a very long, hand-written letter in return! It's become one of my prized possessions (framed and hanging in my living room). He said he was having a bad day with his writing and my letter gave him much inspiration.
My other favorite is Santini. I was a military brat and my father was quite similar to Mr. Conroy's (though not nearly as mean). It's a shame his father died so young because most military fathers I have known mellow in their old age and become good friends to their children. I can see how Conroy's relationship with his father both aided and crippled him as an adult in his writing. Being a military brat creates a formidable mold and flavors your entire personality.
I'd like to say to others that if you like a particular writer, write to them and tell them when you like something and why you like it. Writers often work in a vacuum and it's difficult to tell if your writing is hitting the mark with readers. After my experience with Mr. Conroy, I have written to many authors and most have written me back with thanks. You never know when something you say in a letter might spur on an author to create something wonderful. You may even see something you said appear in one of their books!
Having read every book Pat Conroy has published, My favorite is Beach Music. This seems to me the perfect book. Southern on every page, military theme, friends, death, mystery, disfunctional families (of course), it simply has it all, for me. Have read it twice, this book on audio is heaven. Lords of Disipline is second favorite written by Pat Conroy.
I liked them all but if I were to chose one, I would say, Prince of Tides.
I have read just about every fiction book Pat Conroy has written. For me my favorite would have to be Beach Music. I actually first listened to this book on audio tape back around 1995. I have since read the book as well. The plot twists left you stunned at times, which is a credit to the quality of the writing. The thing about Pat Conroy's books is that so much of them are based upon his own life. My only problem is how long it is between each of his books:) I believe he has had some health issues in recent years.
For me, "The Lords of Discipline" remains my favorite, although all 3 of the Conryt books I have read are excellent. There was a great deal of suspense in his tale of life at the Citadel. He also has some very dark parts - some passages are actually chilling.
Boo (his first writings) and The Water is Wide. As a teacher, I was inspired by his desire to change lives.
The man is such a beautiful wordsmith and story teller. Reading his work inspires me to be a better writer. The Water is Wide, and Prince of Tides.
The Price of Tides and South of Broad.
Hands down, Beach Music!(which I gave 5 stars)
Definately Beach Music!!! My mother was reading it when she passed away. Great story....Kept the book mark on the last page that she read. Silly, huh? She is the person who encouraged me to be the voracious reader that I am today! We would read the same book, and discuss them long distance on the phone...Got quite expensive, as cell phones were pricey back in those days!
South of Broad and Prince of Tides. Which ever I haven't read lately. I've read all his books and feel that Conroy is one of the best ever.
South Of Broad....without a doubt! As a coastal southerner it is something you feel in your bones.
Conroy is such a good writer. All his books are a joy to read, but I would have to toss my vote in for Beach Music. Prince of Tides and the Great Santini are wonderful, but Beach Music makes me want to read it again. South of Broad is my my estimation too similar to Beach Music in concept to be held in too high a regard, but still eminently readable. Just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth.
I loved The Lords of Discipline. It is profound, beautifully written, and utterly engrossing. Though I have read most of what Pat Conroy has written, this is far and away the one I like best.
The Prince of Tides is in the running for one of the Great American Novels. His other work is good, but this is superb.
Beach Music and South of Broad
South of Broad and The River is Wide.
James wrote: "The Prince of Tides is in the running for one of the Great American Novels. His other work is good, but this is superb."well said!
Beach Music is still my favorite. One of my favorite books.
My dad introduced me to Conroy's books. I loved South of Broad. From the comments in this thread, it looks like I have a lot of good reading ahead of me. It's a Conroy Book Buffet! ( Speaking of buffets, I have read favorable comments on his cookbook, also.)
I am waiting for an advanced copy of Death of Santini to arrive from Random House:) I love this job:)
I have read all of Pat Conroy's books. I find it hard to choose which was the best one, even his cookbook reads as a good story for me. But having said that, Prince of Tides , Lords of Discipline and the Great Santini in no particular order.
Grace wrote: "Have you ever read any of his nonfiction? My Losing Season is almost an overlay of The Great Santini because it goes into great detail about his relationship with his father. Of course, The Water..."Conroy not noted for his humor/ I'm not sure which Pat Conroy you've been reading. All his books are filled with great humor and sarcasm. The humor in all his books is one of their great strengths.
I have never read his nonfiction books. I am waiting for an advanced copy of Death of Santini to come from Random House:)
South of Broad, hands down. I visited Charleston shortly after I'd finished it and felt like I knew the place from his descriptions. Made my trip much more interesting.
Beach music is my all time favourite
Beach Music is my all time fav! Have read it many times.
I am half way through Death of Santini now. It is interesting to hear different events from Pat Conroy's life and remember when described in his books.
Pat Conroy is by far the most poetic and and expressive author to ever grace this earth. I have read everything he has written and anxiously wait for a new book to arrive. "The Prince of Tides" is by far my favorite. On one page I will laugh til I cry and the following page will make me truly cry! I will have the honor of hearing him speak in Minneapolis in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!
Barbara wrote: "South of Broad, hands down. I visited Charleston shortly after I'd finished it and felt like I knew the place from his descriptions. Made my trip much more interesting."As a native Charlestonian and tour guide, I find SOB to be Conroy's worst book. It's poorly edited (Leo actually time travels in the first edition) and the characters and plot are hard-to-believe. Leo spens all this time talking about his mother never cooks "she doesn't even know the way to the kitchen" and then during a crisis she goes the kitchen and cooks for everyone!
His descriptions of the palm trees on Tradd Street rankle the locals, because they are palmetto trees not palm trees. (We are called the Palmetto state.) And during the final episode, when Hurricane Hugo hits Charleston ... no Charleston native would ride out the storm on Water Street since we all know it floods during a regular rain storm.
The Water is Wide, a wonderful book!
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
As I mentioned, South of Broad was my favorite (at least so far). I love Charleston so the setting was ideal as I could place events in the book with the actual settings in the City. I also survived Hurricane Hugo when it ripped through North and South Caroline back in 1989 so the timing was relevant to me as well. But the thing I liked best were the intriguing and complex characters he created. I know from his other works, that this is common of Conroy, but the interactions of the set of characters he created for this story and the way they were interwoven with one another was most intriguing and kept me turning pages late into the night – I actually finished the book in less than a week.
That said, which of Conroy’s books are your favorites and why? Which characters are your favorites? I really liked Leo King in South of Broad for his spirit and even keel demeanor. I also liked Will McLean in The Lords of Discipline. Both characters were independent thinkers and stood up for what they believed in.
If you haven’t read any Conroy, I’d encourage you to give it a try. I am also open to suggestions for which Conroy book I should read next, as well as other writers like /Conroy that I may enjoy. Happy Reading!