Good read so far. And yes, it influenced by one of the greatest authors of our time.
You know folks really- now you are quarreling and baiting each other over the definition of a "Great Writer"? Give it a rest guys.
Samuel Clemens is a great American writer. Faulkner is a great writer. Hemingway is a great writer. JD Salinger was a great writer. Ayn Rand was an influential writer if not a great one. Pat Conroy is a good writer- whether he is a great one is certainly up for debate- (whether or not he is a millionaire -and some of the biggest jackasses out there are millionaires- doesn't make em great- just wealthy). About Conroy's major works to date: "The Great Santini" is a great and poignant book, in which most sons at least can recognize some aspects of their own relationship with their fathers. In my opinion- it's a classic. "The Prince of Tides" was a good book made into a good movie- a good airplane read. "My Losing Season" didn't sell well but really resonated with me. "The Lords of Discipline" was BS in my humble opinion- an opinion which was and I suspect still is shared by many Citadel grads, which is why he wasn't back on campus for about 25 years after he wrote it. I look forward to reading "The Death of Santini"- I've heard very good things about it.
I have yet to hear anyone say that "Virginia's Ring" is going to change lives or influence much of anything-not many novels do and I don't expect this one to do so-however, I am curious to hear if it is a good read?
You know folks really- now you are quarreling and baiting each other over the definition of a "Great Writer"? Give it a rest guys.
Samuel Clemens is a great American writer. Faulkner is a great writer. Hemingway is a great writer. JD Salinger was a great writer. Ayn Rand was an influential writer if not a great one. Pat Conroy is a good writer- whether he is a great one is certainly up for debate- (whether or not he is a millionaire -and some of the biggest jackasses out there are millionaires- doesn't make em great- just wealthy). About Conroy's major works to date: "The Great Santini" is a great and poignant book, in which most sons at least can recognize some aspects of their own relationship with their fathers. In my opinion- it's a classic. "The Prince of Tides" was a good book made into a good movie- a good airplane read. "My Losing Season" didn't sell well but really resonated with me. "The Lords of Discipline" was BS in my humble opinion- an opinion which was and I suspect still is shared by many Citadel grads, which is why he wasn't back on campus for about 25 years after he wrote it. I look forward to reading "The Death of Santini"- I've heard very good things about it.
I have yet to hear anyone say that "Virginia's Ring" is going to change lives or influence much of anything-not many novels do and I don't expect this one to do so-however, I am curious to hear if it is a good read?
Sure Conroy isn't loved by the Citadel
I have added this book to my list to read. I have read all of Mr. Conroy's work and am a big fan. Some are better than others definitely. My Losing Season wasn't his best work, but as a basketball player it definitely hit home. South of Broad and The Water is Wide are by far my favorites. The Death of Santini is a great a read and really puts his work, life and perspective into view for all us. It really shows where he was in life and what was going on how they impacted his writing. I have even read The Boo. Sure Conroy isn't loved by the Citadel, mostly because he opened the curtain for others to see. I am sure there are parts that are blown out of proportion, last time I checked this book was found in the Fiction section. Heck James Webb was "banned" from Navy for how long when he ruffled feathers too? I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Conroy recently, great guy. Enjoyed discussing his books and alot of basketball!
Yeah each school has those we hold parades for and others we wish not to mention again. It happens, part of life. None of the schools are perfect.
I'm about halfway through it. I think there's probably a good story there and I'm going to keep reading but the writing is honestly a little bit flat to me. Sometimes you hear people give the advice to writers "show, don't tell" -- although it can be taken to excess, this book would, I think, benefit from a little more showing a little less telling. Rather than saying that upperclassmen "could get very creative with their screamed words," why not dramatize it with an extended scene showing this? Surviving Rat year becomes fairly matter of fact in the author's treatment. He may be doing this on purpose -- trying to focus on relationships and not make it "another basic training novel" but as I said it feels a little flat to me. Interesting, the voice of the author (who appears to be a travel writer) comes alive most when he is writing about food! If he wrote about sweat parties with the intensity and detail that he wrote about steaks or hamburgers (I'm not kidding) the book would be stronger.
I think this will be a real treat for those with some knowledge of VMI but it's just okay as a "read" aside from that. (In my humble opinion, of course!)