The Death of Santini

The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son by Pat Conroy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love spending the holidays sitting back to relax and spend some much needed quiet time with my nose buried in a book. Luckily for me, my family must also, because they continue to fill my Christmas stocking with wonderful books year after year. A newly released gem by our very own Lowcountry powerhouse Pat Conroy was released in November. “The Death of Santini,” is the sequel to a previously released best seller called the “Great Santini.” Although, this new release is not his best book to date, it certainly delivers what Pat Conroy worshippers (like me) want to read. Essentially, the memoir retells many of the stories that Conroy fictionalized in his greatest works. He recounts them in depth and gives the reader a glimpse inside how each story made him feel and impacted his life. The largest subject in the book was Conroy’s father Don. Portrayed in the movie “The Great Santini,” by Robert DuVall, the mere thought of Don Conroy in real life brings back feelings of hatred to his son Pat. This book is different because he attempts to forgive his father and the rest of his family for their shortcomings and admit many of his own. The title of the book is not the only journey the reader receives. Conroy delivers a strong message about the death of his brother, his dysfunctional sister and his up and down relationship with his mother after her divorce. I enjoy reading Conroy’s books because of the language. As you read you can feel the effort and devotion he puts toward selecting each and every word on the page. These words connect with the reader in a unique fashion. As Conroy works his way through the characters in his life you start to believe them as your own. The book really has no plot. A shortcoming that will keep it from the bestsellers list, but the reader will walk away with a better understanding of themselves. I am able to resurrect my own childhood memories while reading his stories. A constant juxtaposition of hope, depression, hate and fortitude make Conroy’s novels worth the read.

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