Final words and heartfelt remembrances from bestselling author Pat Conroy take center stage in this winning nonfiction collection, supplemented by touching pieces from Conroy’s many friends. This new volume of Pat Conroy’s nonfiction brings together some of the most charming interviews, magazine articles, speeches, and letters from his long literary career, many of them addressed directly to his … addressed directly to his readers with his habitual greeting, “Hey, out there.” Ranging across diverse subjects, such as favorite recent reads, the challenge of staying motivated to exercise, and processing the loss of dear friends, Conroy’s eminently memorable pieces offer a unique window into the life of a true titan of Southern writing.
With a beautiful introduction from his widow, novelist Cassandra King, A Lowcountry Heart also honors Conroy’s legacy and the innumerable lives he touched. Finally, the collection turns to remembrances of “The Great Conroy,” as he is lovingly titled by friends, and concludes with a eulogy. The inarguable power of Conroy’s work resonates throughout A Lowcountry Heart, and his influence promises to endure.
This moving tribute is sure to be a cherished keepsake for any true Conroy fan and remain a lasting monument to one of the best-loved masters of contemporary American letters.
Praise for A Lowcountry Heart
“A fascinating look into the mind of one of the South’s greatest authors . . . something to remember him by and cherish for years to come.”—The Clarion-Ledger
“Fans of Conroy . . . will relish the chance to spend more time with him in this glowing valedictory to his life and writing . . . Eloquent, folksy, and sometimes brutally honest.”—Publishers Weekly
“A moving and proper tribute to a true Southern icon.”—The Florida Times-Union
“Elegant essays [that] will not disappoint.”—The Washington Post
“Resplendent . . . As always, his storytelling, word choice and rhythm are gorgeous, almost lyrical.”—USA Today
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An exquisite small compendium of some of the blog posts, speeches, and interviews from the last few months of the life of Pat Conroy, who passed away in March 2016. Sometimes a bit repetitive, but full of nuggets of the beautiful prose and the love of friends, family, and the Carolina lowlands that flowed from this troubled, brilliant writer.
What a joy to read Pat Conroy. A masterful story teller among the best!
In my mind, there’s Pat Conroy and then there’s everybody else. What makes him an island unto himself is his intimate, confessional writing. I’ve been wrestling with trying to articulate exactly why his words speak to so many and have arrived at the conclusion that at the foundation of his God given gift to effortlessly arrange words is the bedrock of clear thinking. Too many people buckle under the weight of their own unwieldy emotional level, and as it is only human nature to duck and cover from pain and confusion, their unexamined emotional life takes on a crippling weight all its own and leads to a list of crimes against the human heart. The magic of Conroy is in his fearlessness to call anything by name and his cache of language to do so exactly. In so doing for himself, he does so for humanity. His is a dauntless, confident voice so surefooted, his readers know and trust him. Each of his novels sends the reader through the thicket of life itself then leaves them parked in front of a mirror to reflect. In A Lowcountry Heart, Conroy tells his legions of fans not only how he does this, but why. I’ve heard Conroy called a generous writer by many, and this book tells me how he earned the reputation. Behold, the man behind the curtain, who has a seat across from you and looks you in the eye as he explains what goes on in his passionate soul. Pick a subject, any subject, and Conroy pontificates in this treasure of a book. Thank you, Nan Talese and Doubleday. This, like all of Pat Conroy’s books, is a masterpiece from the man who keeps on giving.
Partially biographic tale of the authors early life teaching in a Gullah school on an Island in South Carolina. I loved the characters, scenery, location, situations, scenarios, relationships and ending. Highly recommend Pat Conways southern tales-great storyteller!
I love everything Pat Conroy writes!
If you love Pat Conroy as I do, you will love this wonderful book.
Wonderful. Mr Conroy is always entertaining but his memories enchant.
Have read everything but his cookbook. His stories are so real and down-to-earth and full of the activities of family int eractions. Can make you laugh aloud or bring you to tears by speaking to the heart. We lost a great author and human being upon his death.
Pat Conroy was my favorite author. I have read and love everything he wrote.
Pat Conron was one of our best all time. This collection offers greater insight into this very complicated man.
Love Pat Conroy and have read all of his books. I like books written in and about the South.
Love, and miss, Pat Conroy!
First part was interesting did not like the second part.
A reflective Pat Conroy looks back on his literary life, sometimes in a humorous way, sometimes poignantly, but always in the language of a great wordsmith.
I’m sorry to know it’s the last of his wonderful books
A must read for anyone who writes, and even more so for those who read. Conroy was the most authentic and emotionally honest writer of the second half of the twentieth century. This book will help you understand how he acquired the audacity to bare his naked soul to his reading public, time and again. I miss him and his writing but will keep this book close at hand to continue to treasure him by.
Fans of Pat Conroy will enjoy this collection of essays written by him and others as he was winding up his writing life due to illness. This is an insight into the author’s life and upbringing in his beloved Lowcountry of South Carolina, as well as his feelings about his disciplinarian father. It makes you want to read (or re-read) all of the Conroy works.