Pat Conroy, author of ‘The Prince of Tides’ and ‘The Great Santini,’ Dies at 70

[marylander1940]

Pat Conroy, whose tortured family life and the scenic marshlands of coastal South Carolina served as unending sources of inspiration for his fiction, notably the novels “The Great Santini,” “The Lords of Discipline” and “The Prince of Tides,” died on Friday. He was 70.

 

His death was confirmed by Todd Doughty, the vice president, executive director of publicity at Doubleday. He said the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

 

Mr. Conroy had a brutal childhood. He was dominated by his sadistic father, Donald, a Marine Corps fighter pilot who beat his wife, drilled his seven children military-style to instill discipline and mercilessly abused his sons, first and foremost Pat, his eldest.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/books/pat-conroy-who-wove-his-family-strife-into-novels-of-carolina-dies-at-70.html?_r=0

 

[MikeBiDude]

I heard this last night and was pretty upset. He was one of my absolute favorites, although it was obvious from his writing he had a troubled and tumultuous life. Suicide was such a theme is so many of his novels that I actually gave a moment of thanks when I went online to learn that he died of a cancer...vs. following many of his characters to suicide.

 

He was also a great foodie and cook, and published a cookbook to mixed reviews and sales.

 

If you haven't read his "Beach Music" give it a go, a "sleeper" of his I guess ignored because it didn't go on to be made a movie, but a good read.

[Bearofdistinction]

Rest in Peace Mr. PatRoy -- Things are hard overseas . . .

[Bearofdistinction]

I heard this last night and was pretty upset. He was one of my absolute favorites, although it was obvious from his writing he had a troubled and tumultuous life. Suicide was such a theme is so many of his novels that I actually gave a moment of thanks when I went online to learn that he died of a cancer...vs. following many of his characters to suicide.

 

He was also a great foodie and cook, and published a cookbook to mixed reviews and sales.

 

If you haven't read his "Beach Music" give it a go, a "sleeper" of his I guess ignored because it didn't go on to be made a movie, but a good read.

 

 

I was a fan - I never thought of Pat Conroy as a GREAT AUTHOR --- rather he was a WONDERFUL STORYTELLER --- his characters made you laugh and cry and

recognize yourself and people you knew. The two books that were made into movies were not necessarily his best -- see below for a list and description of his works

 

http://www.patconroy.com/the-death-of-santini.php

 

Rest in Peace Mr PatRoy

[MikeBiDude]

3 books to movie, right? tides, santini, lords of discipline.....?

[marylander1940]

3 books to movie, right? tides, santini, lords of discipline.....?

 

I forgot about that one, thank you for the reminder.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMwnP0qftk

 

[MikeBiDude]

"Lords..." was a decent movie, Conroy went to The Citadel military school, a lot of this book/movie based on his time and experiences there.

[marylander1940]

"Lords..." was a decent movie, Conroy went to The Citadel military school, a lot of this book/movie based on his time and experiences there.

 

Right on!

 

One more thing, no wonder "A few good men" sounded familiar.