The Prince Of Tides: by Pat Conroy

The moment I started I recognized “The Great Santini” in a different guise, even though I’d forgotten this book was by the same author. Similarly, it’s better than the film.Dysfunctional family in small South Carolina town, riddled with racial and class prejudice. Three super kids whose sibling love and mutual support are their only defense against a bullying, opinionated father, and a mother determined to be a martyr, obsessed with appearances and climbing the social ladder, in constant denial, to the point of near destruction of her family. The story focuses on the effects of the family’s traumatic history on the children, now grown to adulthood, and the commitment of one brother to aid the psychological recovery of his famous, talented but suicidal sister. An interesting relationship with her psychologist also develops.Conroy’s story-weaving and his economic style make for compulsive reading. He has the rare knack of wringing the heart-strings while, at the same time, maintaining a humour that had me chuckling one moment and damp-eyed the next.My only criticism is his obsession with the ball-game, through every move of which he insists on forcing the reader, blow-by-blow, ad nauseam. These episodes alone sent me “skim-reading” although cut by a third they’d have a valid place in the saga.

I read this Stunning Book /story by Pat Conroy years ago , I turn to it time and again.Each time I discover more …True it’s shocking yet beautiful, moving deeply breathtaking .Pat has a gift , his use of place and words . It’s not an easy read , but one of those stories , a Book ,an author that will hold you spellbound.

I read this book about 25 years ago, and it made me cry then. I remember being so lost in the story that I had to read it while walkimg, cooking etc! Idecided to read it again recentl;y, to see if it was as good as I had remembered,and wasnt disappointed in the least.The story was pretty depressing when you think about it - suicidal sister, dead sibling, violent upbringing. All good ingredients for a tearful and harrowing read. Yet the way it is written was poetical, lyrical and downright beautiful. I cried all over again and was so sad when I got to the end.I had to prolong the feeling of being lost in the Deep South, and so halfway through I bought Beach Music by the same author....and thats another story!

Found this book by accident, great read. Better than the film.

The purpose of Amazon reviews is as much about the actual product itself. When I took this book from the wrapping, I was very disappointed to see the first page folded over inside. When I unfolded it, it is not cut to the same size as the rest if the book (it is bigger). Very poor quality control, given that the price I paid from Amazon is in now way discounted, i.e . I paid the full cover price.

I have seen the film and was so impressed by the storlyine that I wanted to read the original book and I was not disappointed. A superb novel that will be read again

I have just recently discovered Pat Conroy, and have read 3 of his books - Beach House, South of Broad and Price of Tides, which, to my mind is the best of the three, closely followed by Beach House. He writes so beautifully - almost lyrically, and draws one into the lives of the characters from page 1. The landscapes are vivid, and one can almost smell the marshlands mingled with the aromas from the barbecues, and feel the velvety softness of the air. Highly recommended.

I was very pleased with it!