A Lowcountry Heart

September 26, 2016
Fans of Conroy (1945–2016) will relish the chance to spend more time with him in this glowing valedictory to his life and writing, and those who have never read his books may very well be enticed to do so after reading this vibrant, charming collection of blog posts, interviews, essays, and speeches from the last years of his life. Conroy’s intelligence and curiosity about life and literature blossom forth in entries that are eloquent, folksy, and sometimes brutally honest. As many readers will know, he experienced his share of hardships, vividly reflected in novels such as The Great Santini and The Lords of Discipline. But a painful past clearly never hardened him, and his exuberance for so many things shines through in the entries reproduced here: his passion for books, reading, and language; his love for friends, both old and new; his delight in the beauty of South Carolina; his reverence for teaching and teachers; and his gratitude for being a writer and for the connections he has forged because of it. In particular, he enthuses generously and gregariously about fellow writers. “Great love” was his blog sign off, and that love was clearly returned by those who knew him, as evidenced by the moving reminiscences about him included in the book, such as an introduction by his wife, author Cassandra King.

A collection of blog entries by the late, beloved novelist, along with a miscellany of speeches, interviews, and writings by and about him.When Conroy (The Death of Santini, 2013, etc.) died on March 4, 2016, he was apparently less than 200 pages into his next novel, not enough for an editor or collaborator to complete for posthumous publication. The best of this celebratory volume serves his memory well, showing why legions of fans and fellow writers felt so strongly about him. As fellow Southern writer Rick Bragg notes, in one of the few pieces by others that merit inclusion, "I just know he was different from others at the top of his craft, different in his generosity." That generosity of spirit and conversational engagement permeate Conroy's writing here, even more than they do his novels. Where other writers merely endure book tours, he plainly enjoyed the chance to meet his readers, to hear their stories, and occasionally even connect with someone from his past. "If any writer in this country has collected as fine and passionate a group of readers as I have," he writes, "they're fortunate and lucky beyond anyone's imagination." Each woman he describes is more beautiful and irresistible and finer in character than the last. His fellow writers humble him with how bold and prolific and eloquent and insightful they are. His great teachers imparted lessons he has never forgotten. His friends were friends for life. He frequently returns to the topic of "Carol, my beloved sister," who quit speaking to him after she felt he violated her privacy in his fiction. Though he considered the word "blog" to be "the ugliest word to emerge out of the 'wired' universe so far," he thrived within its open-letter format, beginning most with "Hey, out there," and concluding "Great love...." These hold together in a long first section, making the second section feel padded with odds and ends. Pleasant last words from a highly regarded author who loved his life. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from November 15, 2016

Conroy, whose work includes The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, and Beach Music, had a fulfilling life as a writer. After his death in 2016, his widow, the novelist Cassandra King, started gathering the best of the interviews, magazine articles, speeches, and letters from his career, here creating a collection of the author's reflections. This book also provides a note to readers by Nan A. Talese (Conroy's longtime editor), an introduction by King, in addition to remembrances by Bernie Schein, Rick Bragg, and Judge Alex Sanders. The resulting anthology offers an intimate look at the novelist's literary friendships and love of the South Carolina lowcountry he called home. Devoted fans will understand the sometimes difficult path he chose, and new readers will appreciate a life well lived. VERDICT Conroy's style is always accessible, lively, and heartfelt. This book is a worthy memorial--filled with love, humor, and great stories.--Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence

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