Rating: 
Summary: Classic Conroy and a great read
Review: I found "The Great Santini" to be a fantastic read for numerous reasons. Conroy's vivid character depictions of the Meecham family and subsequent development of these characters engaged the reader. As an aviator in the US Navy, I found Conroy's depiction of "Bull" to be both appalling and fascinating. So much has changed(much for the better) and the traditional machismo fighter pilot has been transformed into a more subtle but equally confident aviator. I was surprised at Conroy's overtly autobiographical description of his family (what do they think of "Santini"?), but Conroy's courage to tell this tale should be commended. In summary, this is a fine read and anyone who has served or grown up in naval aviation will relate well to the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I found the book to give a different perspective on the "american family". I was delighted to see the great detail that Pat Conroy used when describing the emotions of the characters. Great book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Almost my autobiography
Review: I have practically lived Conroy's books, being a child of the military (in my case the United States Navy)and professional nomad while still having deep roots in the Old South. This book in particular, spoke to my soul. It is about the unconditional love we have for our parents, who are themselves fallible human beings. Reading this book lead me to see my father as a human being for the first time, and in a large part was responsible for my deciding to forgive him for the scars of my childhood. in response to my reaching out as an adult to get to know him, he was finally able to become the friend and advisor he longed to be to me when I was growing up. Only through forgiveness and understanding are we capable of breaking the cycle of emotional and physical abuse so prevalent in the children of abusers.
Rating:
Summary: This book is great, you've gotta read it
Review: I liked the book very much. This book is full of internal conflict between kids and their parents. At the beginning you think that Bull acts like a stupid jerk but towards the end he becomes one of your favorite characters. It was my first book of Pat Conroy and I really enjoyed reading it. IT'S GRRRRRRRRREAT
Rating:
Summary: Pat Conroy is America's Greatest Modern Author, bar none.
Review: I love all of Mr. Conroy's novels, but as a wife of a Marine, and a Catholic to boot, I found this one is my personal favorite. His descriptions, and snippets of dialog are so right on you almost wonder if he's been in your car during a move, or in your home during cleaning day. As far as all military men being abusive, that is a typical generalized statement that fills me with rage, as it is what one of the reviewers featured here remark. However, one almost feels a kinship with the Swaggering Marine pilot, as well as the beaten backs of his wife and children. You want to love him, but you cannot, due to his violence. By the way, the revised Marines' Hymn and Hail Mary cracked me up so much my husband demanded to know why I was laughing, and he managed a smile when I told him. Of course Catholic upbringing makes it a guilty pleasure! Pat Conroy knows how to keep his readers enthralled. Write something new soon!
Rating:
Summary: Epitomy of Love/Hate Relationship
Review: I loved this book and I hated this book. Especially Bull Meecham, who I despised at times as much as I could not help but love him. All of the characters, no matter how minor, are so integral to this book, that with out any one of them, this book would not have been such a fascinating and hard to put down read. Well written, although occasionally I found myself having to go back and re-read parts because it would get a little confusing. Other times I had to go back and re-read parts because I would get so involved that I would skip over words in my haste to read more. A somewhat gritty and harsh book about an egomaniac of man, his wife and their children growing up under the highs and lows of his mood swings, in their latest home in the South. As another reviewer mentioned, Bull's personality only made him more human, something that he and other characters, especially his children, had to deal with. He was aptly named.
Rating:
Summary: Bull Meacham is an asshole, but a true hero.
Review: I loved this book. As the son of a fighter pilot (one who was very different than Bull Meacham, but who would have understood him ), I thought this book captured the life of a military family perfectly.Many readers will read this book and think Bull Meacham is not a honorable or likeable person. I disagree. His method of dealing with his family may leave much to be desired, but he is a hero and a man of honor and integrity. We should be thankful that men like Don Conroy, the author's father and role model for Bull Meacham, lived and fought to protect the freedom we so often take for granted. I recommend this book to everyone, and give it out frequently as a gift.
Rating: 
Summary: a little disjointed
Review: I read this book at the suggestion of several friends, who thought it was Conroy's best. I'd just finished "Beach Music," which I feel is much more developed and well-rounded. This book, with many similarities to "Beach Music" (both in characters and in setting), seems to be more of a rough draft of the book that Conroy later wrote. There were many scenes that were Big Scenes -- deaths, rape, violence -- and then the chapter would end and it was on to the next adventure, with little or nothing said later to tie the loose threads together. Perhaps it does take a military background to truly appreciate the book, and while the language is (as in all of Conroy's books) beautifully written, the overall story didn't hook me.
Rating:
Summary: Growing up Marine
Review: I read this book because I grew up in the Marine Corps. My mother was in for 20 years, and we moved at least 8 or 9 times that I can remember. I had to laugh at some of the descriptions because it was a lot like growing up with my mom. Except she was not quite so competitive. I have been to Beaufort South Carolina where the book takes place. I thought the story was very good and the descriptions were excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Hate Him, But Love Him
Review: I read this book when I was in high school and at first I hated Bull. Towards the end of the book I learned to understand how he ticked and I bawled at the end, very sad. My husband and I are in the military and there really are a few "soldier" that act like Bull. Watch the movie it was great!
|
