Pat Conroy’s New York Times–bestselling coming-of-age novel about a son’s struggle to escape the domineering expectations of his volatile military father Marine Col. Bull Meecham commands his home like a soldiers’ barracks. Cold and controlling, but also loving, Bull has complicated relationships with each member of his family—in particular, his eldest son, Ben. A born athlete who desperately …
A born athlete who desperately seeks his father’s approval, Ben is determined to break out from the colonel’s shadow. With guidance from teachers at his new school, he strives to find the courage to stand up to his father once and for all.
Inspired by Pat Conroy’s own difficult relationship with his father, The Great Santini is a captivating and unflinching portrayal of modern family, and a moving novel of a son determined to become his own man.
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I saw the movie before I read the book. Pat Conroy is the master of the low country when it comes to fiction. Like his character in this book, he moved there as a Marine Corps brat and his father was stationed at Marine Air Station Beaufort. I lived on Hilton Head, on the Intracoastal for several years and the ferry to Dafuskie Island passed by …
It is 1962, and W.P. “Bull” Meecham, U.S. Marine Corps light colonel and fighter pilot, whose self-proclaimed nom de guerre is the Great Santini, has been stationed in the Mediterranean for the past year. His family—wife Lillian, children Ben, Mary Anne, Karen and Matthew—has been living in Atlanta, Georgia with Lillian’s mother. They have lived …
A roller coaster ride for sure. An emotional (all of them) grabber.
Typical Conroy. Beautiful language. Didn’t like the main character, but probably Conroy’s father.
This is a very well written book. The main character, Col. Bull Meecham is a man I hated but kept wanting to love. His family, especially his oldest son, are really given a voice in this book about what it’s like to live with Bull’s extreme personality. I really enjoyef this book ,but I must admit that at times I found the going difficult with an …
I have read all of Pat Conroy’s books. He uses descriptions of events and portrayals of his family members, which are seldom complimentary.
I can’t remember who has been quoted that “every family is dysfunctional”.
But I have enjoyed Conroy’s prose, and am sorry for his demise.
The Great Santini was amazingly written by Pat Conroy. I loved how he captured the complexity of his characters, their nature, their real- ness. He brought not just the people to life but their dreams, their aspirations, their struggles. I believe Conroy to be in a league of his own. His skill with words is stellar and unparalleled.
I wanted to love this book because of the author. Tedious and annoying. I didn’t finish it — maybe one day….
The last third was the most compelling, though the character of Santini cast a dark cloud over the entire reading. A good read for a coming of age book about a boy with an abusive father. But there wasn’t as much depth to the characters as there could have been.
I first start reading books by Pat Conroy 30-35 years ago. I thought I had read all of his books that had been published before 2000. About a year ago I purchased (Amazon ebook) South of Broad but I saw that I could also get many of his other books at a reasonable price and purchased some of the novels I had already read. I was absolutely certain …
So glad my father was not like him…..!
Conroy is an excellent writer. I have never read a book written by him that was not very good.
If it were not for the horrible language I would rate it a 5.
So terribly disappointed in this book. LORDS OF DISCIPLINE was exceptional, so I read this because it was by Conroy. The Great Santini went way over the top depicting a military family. The dialogue was so bad I couldn’t even finish the book.
I love all of Pat Conroy’s books! He is a great storyteller.
A modern classic by a gifted writer
Love anything by Conroy He has a wonderful gift. This book is sad in that there are elements of truth about his dad but he did reconcile with him in another book which I do not remember the title but read.
What a great author. My favorite is Beach Music!
Best author of our generation.
A
Read this years ago and love it so much. Pat Conroy was one of our great southern authors. Miss him so much.