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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This book was hard to read at times because of subject matter but forth the read nevertheless.
Pat Conroy never disappoints.
Pat Conroy’s writing is almost poetic. I’ve read all of his novels and find them inspiring and uplifting despite their somewhat dark storylines.
Have read all of Pat Conroy’s books. So sad we’ve lost such a great writer!
Yet another great book by Pat Conroy!
Big fan of Pat Conroy, one of the great storytellers!
Pat Conroy’s story of his father, a terrifying domineering man that bullies his family but at the same time loves them, just doesn’t know how to relate to them in a loving way. Many conflicting emotions between him and all the family members.
I love all Pat Conroy books
The book that showed everyone Conroy’s skill at portraying the love hate relationships about which many families revolve. It also, like The Lords of Discipline, shows how utterly ridiculous the officers in our military were, and continue to be. This book will make your weep for the children of all military families and make you question why we …
Convoy is one of the best aAmerican writers of our time. This is a classic!
Loved the story yet it made me uneasy knowing that the father,Great Santini, was Pat Conway’s father. A true love/hate scenario!!
Pat Conroy: fantastic writer! Loved this book…
One of the best books I have read. Pat Conroy is a master with words.
I reread this book after many years. Still got me!
Conroy’s semi-autobiographical tour de force. Not to be missed.
Favorite author!
Story of Pat Conroy’s life, as all his books well written.
Despite the main character being a gung-ho Marine pilot who was clearly the dominant person in his family, eldest son Ben manages to become his own man. Action takes place in the early 1960s. Interesting look at military family life.
Anything by Pat Conroy is worth reading
This gave insight to what our military families go through as the father gets new orders about every two years and the effect it has on the wife and children. Good character building by author, action oriented, and the unsettling effects after the father dies as he was a heaven handed military man.