beachdreams

I loved his book Beach Music

Scarlett

The Water is Wide was one of this early books about racism in schools. Could that be the book you are thinking of, Birdie?

bonniebroad

Actually, "The Great Santini" was the book that best described his awful treatment at the hands of his father, etc. Is that the one you mean, Birdie?

bonniebroad

Sorry, Birdie, of course not! "The Great Santini" was the most auto-biographical, but not the one you're talking about, I'm sure...........

bonniebroad

I just did some "googling" on his books, and I believe Scarlett is right.......... must be "The Water Is Wide".... fits the description. This is reminding me of his books and what a great author he is! I must re-read "The Great Santini"......

aisleadjoining

Suggest reading Conroy's autobiographical account of his days at The Citadel, which shows how deep his personal problems are. His father really was a monster, his mother completely unemotionally attached to all her children, and Conroy himself almost borderline suicidal. In every instance, no matter how much he achieved, he compared himself with others, and decided he was a coward. Completely disturbing book, one I sincerely regret I ever took the time to bear. No wonder his novels have such pain, they are a mere shadow of his life.

OO

Yup..Water Is Wide. Terrific book...especially interesting if you know or have been to Daufuskie Island!! If you've read the book and haven't been...make the effort to go. It's still wild and gorgeous on most of the island. You can only get there by boat and that never will change "they" say, which has kept it from becoming another Hilton Head.

Our boat's name is Beach Music...my husband loved the book and insisted. I liked it too, but for heavens sake, the house breaks up and falls into the ocean. Do we reallyh need to name our sailboat that? Does he have a death wish? Should I stop sailing with him??

GoTravel

OO, I have an autographed copy of Beach Music.

My favorite part of the book is when John Hardin takes control of the swing bridge and makes all his brothers strip naked and jump off the bridge.

Scarlett

OO, nooo you cannot stop sailing with him!! Do you realize how long it takes to break in a new captain? LOL
Especially a handsome and witty one?

After seeing the movie, The Great Santini, I was unable to enjoy Michael Moriarity in anything else, I disliked his character so much

OO

GoTravel...he is a genuine character, isn't he. On the edge, most definitely. He lives on Fripp now, is that right?

I just finished Running With Scissors. You read these books and are so grateful for your boring, banal family life growing up!

Statia

OO, I was told that's where your boat name came from after I finished Beach Music about a week ago.

GoTravel, that was both my and my husband's favorite part, as well. Also funny was the part where he opened the lower half of the backyard gate while the wildlife ranger was giving his mom grief over the turtle egg issue. His attire was less than desirable to the women present

OO

So Statia, are you willing to sail with us? We've at least got tons of lifejackets, I made sure. Scarlett, I'm just now seeing what you wrote about breaking in the new Captain. LOL too funny. You've got that sooo right...that is long difficult work, not to be hastily cast aside!

Statia

That would be great, OO! Wow, lifejackets on board. What a concept. When I ask about life jackets on any boat down here, I'm always answered with "they take up too much room and then we don't have anywhere to put the dive gear."

GoTravel

OO, yes Pat Conroy does live on Fripp.

I saw him one Saturday morning taking a nap on one of the park benches on the water in Beaufort.

You think homeless until you see the gold rolex, Italian shoes, and nice clothes. I was wispering to hubby who he was and he winked at me!