Author: Pat Conroy
Pages: 514
Genre: Fiction
Source: TLC Book Tours
Leopold Bloom King has been raised in a family shattered—and shadowed—by tragedy. Lonely and adrift, he searches for something to sustain him and finds it among a tightly knit group of high school outsiders. Surviving marriages happy and troubled, unrequited loves and unspoken longings, hard-won successes and devastating breakdowns, as well as Charleston, South Carolina’s dark legacy of racism and class divisions, these friends will endure until a final test forces them to face something none of them are prepared for.
Spanning two turbulent decades, South of Broad is Pat Conroy at his finest: a masterpiece from a great American writer whose passion for life and language knows no bounds.
My Thoughts: Where to begin?? I think from the above synopsis you get the gist of the book, so I'm not going to waste your time by rehashing the story...I honestly just want to tell you how this book made me feel while reading it and most especially after I read the last page. Let me start off by saying this....I truly loved every single page of this book. Charleston came alive within the pages of South of Broad and this is one city that I MUST visit before I die. I want to walk down the streets of Leo's hometown and let this place seep into my blood and senses. The descriptions of the smells, sights, every day life, architecture, eccentricities of Charleston were just right...they painted the picture perfectly. You understood that the main character in this book was Charleston. My attention was captured from the first chapter and it never wavered. The characters became real to me...so real, that they invaded my dreams at night. At times, I caught myself wistfully wishing that I had friends like Leo's....friends from high school that were still TIGHT even after 20+ years of life. Friends that would drop everything and be there for you in a moment. Some of the events endured by certain characters are gut-wrenching and for me, the final chapters squeezed my heart and made me weep with sadness. I'm so happy that I agreed to do this tour for TLC because I have yet another book to add to my best reads of 2010 list!! Yes....I think it's that good!
Thank you to TLC for asking me to be a part of this book tour.
Check out the other tour stops here.
Pat Conroy is the bestselling author of nine books: The Boo, The Water is Wide, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides, Beach Music, My Losing Season, The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life and South of Broad. He lives in Fripp Island, South Carolina.
Visit Pat Conroy’s website for more info about his work.
Sighs, internet went down when I was writing. But what did I write now again.
ReplyDeleteLovely book, I'd sure like to read a book that really made me wanna go to a place
I have yet to read a Pat Conroy novel, but I think this one might be a great place to start (although I have been told that Prince of Tides is also a great one)
ReplyDeleteYAY Staci! I loved this book as well. The audio version was terrific as well.
ReplyDeleteWow, great review Staci! Adding the title to my list. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteAnother one going on my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteCharleston is a fabulous city and you're right - you need to visit there. I cannot wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteWow! This sounds great, Staci. Loved your review!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an incredible review, Staci! Now I want to grab up a copy and delve in!!! It sounds wonderful and what a lovely cover!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one and think it might be a good discussion book for my book group for the fall. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read a book that is set in Charleston -or Savannah- I know I need to make a trip there someday. This one looks good.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear how good it is! I look forward to having the chance to read it!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you liked this. It is in my TBR pile and it is exciting to know that someone with your good taste likes it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to come back and reread your review next week after I finish the book. I just skimmed to see if you liked it and I see you loved it. That's all I need to know right now. lol.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure that this was one that I'd be interested in reading but after reading your rave review I will check it out! I've not read any of Conroy's books and this one sounds like a good one to start with. I saw The Prince of Tides as a movie and know that isn't one I would want to read.
ReplyDeleteWowwwwwwwwwwwwww....staci...this sounds amazing!!!! It must be if it got your dreams too!! And I got your happy mail today...thanks soooooooooo much love...can not wait to read it! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteConroy is the best PR that Charleston could ever hope to have! I loved Leo but the book kept talking about how awkward he was and I didn't think he was awkward in the least. And the dad that wouldn't die kind of started to bug me. But, yeah, a group of friends like that would be great to have!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one yet but I love the way Pat Conroy writes. He really makes me feel the setting of his novels. He is so intense that everything just comes alive.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't planned to read this one, but your review changed my mind. I just jotted down the title so I won't forget it. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I am soooo glad you loved it as much as I did!! Didn't you just love Leo's relationship with Mr. Canon? There were so many great parts that this book will linger in my mind for some time. Excellent review!!
ReplyDeleteStaci, I'm so happy you enjoyed the book! I love when I find a book that makes me feel that way. Thank you so much for being on the tour. We really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, too. Leo was such a great character and I was so happy that Conroy finally wrote a father that I didn't hate! I'll have to remember what Diane said and when I'm ready for a re-read, I'll give the audio a listen. I'll bet it's wonderful. And to answer Kay's question, I think this would be a great book club selection, don't you? Lots to mull over.
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