I have been a Conroy fan for years, and I have read everything
he has written. I was extremely disappointed with South of
Broad. There were several descriptive passages that were
beautifully written in the way he used to write. However, I
thought there were too many characters, most of whom lacked
depth and development, and too many time period shifts. I don't
understand why the whole AIDS piece took so much of the book.
The book seemed to be made up of bits and pieces of this and
that, but no real substantial story.

On 9/26/09, judy5ca wrote:
> I used to love Pat Conroy. I particularly loved The Water is
> Wide, The Great Santini, and Lords of Discipline. We were such
> fans that we rode BART into San Francisco and heard him speak.
> But, I liked Prince of Tides less than his other works and
> then I really hated Beach Music. Of course, after the long
> break, I had hoped that his new work would be like his first
> few. Unfortunately, I am miserably disappointed in South of
> Broad. I finished it because I have been such a Conroy fan in
> my life, but I really do resent the time I spent with it. The
> San Francisco Chronicle called it "florid" and I think that was
> polite. The characters are all overblown stereotypes and the
> writing, though providing a few glimpses of the old Conroy,
> simply expands into meaninglessness. Let me repeat, I am so
> disappointed.
>
> How about you?
> Judy
>
>
> On 9/26/09, Jan wrote:
>> I just finished the book--Pat Conroy's newest---and I would
>> love to hear your thoughts.

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