The Prince of Tides

Top of my list

I've read a lot of books, and this one has always topped my list of favorites. There's something about the way that Pat Conroy writes that just draws me in (I even enjoyed "My Losing Season", and I have absolutely no interest in basketball) -- his descriptions can conjure up a place or a person in a way that makes you not just see what he's describing, but really KNOW it. I have South Carolina in my blood, and this book makes me feel that in a way that really shocked me the first time I read it. As other readers have said, this book is FAR better than the movie it inspired; it is an absolutely spellbinding piece of literature and one that you can't possibly forget. I am thrilled that it's now an eBook -- I plan to read it many more times on my nook! Pat Conroy is my all-time favorite author, and I truly feel that "The Prince of Tides" is his best.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Entertaining ride through one man's life

I confess that the 5 stars I gave this book are because of the way it takes me back home - to the South Carolina Lowcountry. As a transplant to the NYC Metro Area, the novel's setting couldn't be more perfect for me. Tom Wingo is a bit crude, but his tales of home are enough to make me want to pack up the moving truck and move back to Charleston.

Conroy does a good job of mixing stories of the past and present without treating the reader like a child who needs hand-holding. The transitions can be as abrupt as an errant thought, but also come at predictable moments. There is variety, humor, love and just about every other intense human emotion.

P.S. - As usual, the book is MUCH BETTER than the movie.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

True to the Southern Way

I picked up this book primarily because Conroy is from South Carolina (my home state) and because I wanted to read it before seeing the movie. I was thoroughly impressed by his descriptions of the Carolina Lowcountry as well as the ways of southern life. Not only does he write of the beauty and appeal of small southern towns where life never changes but he also touches on the desire many young southerners carry with them through adolesence: to get away from the stereotypes and restraints in order to experience new things and ideas. This book is the perfect addition to any beach bag or bookshelf. The only thing I didn't like about it were the 20-page chapters! :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is a window on familial dysfunction.

Conroy teases the reader's imagination with glimpses of madness and full views of the rational and emotional defense mechanisms that children and adults use to survive their circumstances. The book shows more than you want to see. Though the characters are always slightly larger than life, it is impossible to stop reading. Their stories are annoyingly interrupted and intersected, yet the sneaky familiarity of the themes of archetypal powerlessness, denial and retionalization demand attention. In the end . . . no, the end is for you to find. In fact, stop 30 pages before the end and imagine your own ending. Then peek again into this author's world.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful!

This is a rich and compelling read! Hard to put down and sad to find it over!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the two best books ever written!

A must read. This is one of the two best books ever written. Pat Conroy is a master storyteller! If you liked the movie, you will love this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mesmerizing!

Pat Conroy is a marvelouse writer. He writes about the gentlest things then follow it up with horrors. He describes nature with the most beautiful, loving words, then change direction to describe the darkest of human nature.

I envy his imagination and gift of words.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Irritating dialogue!

I'll freely admit that I only got about 170something pages in before I had to absolutely give up. I was actually really into the story, and tried multiple times to keep slogging through - but the one HUGE distraction (and detraction) for me was the unrealistic dialogue. Either Conroy has never actually held a conversation with another human being, or he feels as though his readers are too stupid to follow a 2-person dialogue - the characters keep repeating each other's names in their conversations. I found it to be an unbearable annoyance. Think about it.. if you're having a conversation with your spouse (or sibling, or friend, or coworker, whatever..) so you have to keep inserting their name into your sentences, or do you just figure that they're aware that you're addressing them!? Especially in a TWO PERSON DIALOGUE! Ugh. I'm sure this is a really petty thing, but it's also a dealbreaker. It made me hyperaware of ALL unrealistic or irritating things - for instance, when Savannah begins to realize, as a child/adolescent, that she's experiencing breaks from reality.. she engages in an unrealistically mature and clinical conversation with her brother about it (in the Rose Aster scene, specifically) and.. just.. no. Sorry, but I tried!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Prince of Tides

captivating! Must read!

Mr. CONROY

THE absolute best reading I have enjoyed! I cried I smiled I laughed... thank-you for sharing your talent....I can still smell the ocean breeze...you made my crazy life growing up in our own madness feel like it's ok, keeping family secrets was nothing to be ashamed of, and for the first time in my life I felt true compassion and understanding... I felt safe....bless you

Prince of Tides , wonderful again

It had been almost 20 years since I first read The Prince of Tides and I wanted to add it to my Nook collection. The book is just as wonderful as I remembered! Conroy's incredible vocabulary and unbelievably beautiful phrasing are unmatched.

If you love the south in all its glory, read this book!

I love Pat Conroy! He has an amazing ability to describe things vividly so you feel like you are there. All his books are about the South and the many layers of being a Southerner. Enjoy!

The very best of modern literature

With The Prince of Tides Conroy takes the reader through an incredible and eloquent journey through the passions and many turmoils of the Wingo family. The language employed by Conroy in describing the largely disturbing content of the novel brings a beautiy to his writing unparralled in modern times. This book is an absolute "must-read" for anyone with an appreciation for the English language. I strongly recommend this book. Man may wonder but God decides When to kill the Prince of Tides

Perfection

This man uses words the same eay Motzart used notes.

I didn't want it too end...

Magical (and I never use that word) ! Please do yourself a favor and read this touching and moving novel. Don't be put off because of the lame movie.

Truly Amazing

A great read! Truly tragic beautifully written story. As silly as this may sound I really wish he could have eased up on all the "big" words. It started to seem unnecessary. That is my only complaint.

Melodramatic drivel!

Everytime I sit down to read a Conroy novel, thinking that I can get by the soap opera-esque dialogue that always seems to exist with the siblings in whatever respective book, I end up putting it away because of it.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

remarkable

i was spellbound! i started this book on first day of a 7 day cruise, i finished it before we made our first port-of-call!

the prince of tides

captivating, great writing style, timeless storyline.

Fine phrases.

This is an eloquent book, moving and emotional, Conroy rates amongst the best authors. This is perhaps not his absolute best, however, it is still good. Maybe there is too much eloquence for some, yet it is still worth a read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.