Beach Music

Rating:
Summary: Completing absorbing.
Review: I don't often get an opportunity to read and finish a book within one or two months. I felt that this particular story had a slow beginning. But once the story unfolded and moved from one memory and back to the present and back out again, I was hooked. I laughed at the visuals he created in my mind of his interactions with his family. I cried when the story was told about the concentration camps. I put myself in the story pretending to be on the sidelines watching. Usually after I complete a book that is as compelling as this, it will take a few months until I can pick up another because I will think about the story and the characters and I don't want to let go just yet. I wish the story could go on to see how his daughters' life unfolded too. (HINT, HINT) Wouldn't this make a great movie? I also tend to start casting and I believe that Robin Williams would make a terrific "Jack"

Rating:
Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!
Review: This book is incredible, I have read it twice in the past year! As a southerner living in Italy the book really takes me home to my roots in the south as well as accurately describing life in Italy. Conroy's descriptions of Rome and Venice are so accurate and vivid. I always look at the Gritti Palace in Venice and smile!

Rating:
Summary: Pat Conroy is a wonderful author who delivers.
Review: As with his other books (read them all!), Conroy delivers in Beach Music intense characters, riveting stories within the story, and absolute artistry in his descriptions. His main character mirrors his other protagonists, in previous works, in an absolutely rewarding way; Conroy draws you and makes you never want to leave!

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!
Review: I loved every word of this book. Mr. Conroy has a truly exceptional gift when telling a story. I felt like I was part of the McCall family -- every laugh, each tear and every moment of tragedy and triumph I shared with them while reading this extraordinary novel. I felt sad & dissapointed after turning the last page - I didn't want it to end

Rating:
Summary: Soon becomes an addiction!!!
Review: Having read all of Pat Conroys books and never having been disappointed, when I picked up Beach Music and read the synopsis, I feared the worst. That perhaps old "Conrack" had gone over the edge into the abyss of the trite and melancholy. From the opening paragraphs, however, I was captivated. Pat Conroys' books have always had that effect upon me, but this was something totally breathtaking. Conroys' patent gift for language, mixed with his incredible imagination and rare wit combine to bring forth a story so unique as to baffle the readers mind. It left me feeling insignificant. I don't hold any pretenses to being one of these "men of the 90s'", tapping into my feminine side and all that arm-chair psychobabble, but any reader would be hard-pressed not to be moved by Conroys' intricate story weaving and the emotion that he evokes so effectively. A must for anyone with a passion for the richness of the English language and a desire to look deeply at emotions below the base level we are too often subjected to in these times

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely one of my favore all-time books
Review: Not only is this book filled with humor, friendship and dysfunctional families, it brings out the love the father has for his daughter and all he does to protect from his past history. I am reading it for the third time this summer and will probably read it again. I never thought I could enjoy one of Conroys books more than Prince of Tides, which I only read twice, but this is a book I just never wanted to end. I hope he writes another one soon. A great summer read. I shed both tears of joy and laughter more than once

Rating:
Summary: Good story, breathtaking writing!
Review: Though probably not his greatest story, Conroy's lyrical prose literally sings from beginning to end. With characters that are both pathetic and thoroughly lovable, Beach Music takes each reader on an epic journey back to the roots of his childhood. You'll laugh, cry and hate it for ending. A "must read."

Rating:
Summary: Is Pat Conroy just writing the same book again and again?
Review: I'm a real fan of Mr. Conroy, but even I'm beginning to wonder if we're getting the same basic plot with every new Conroy book. You know, emotionally wrought man deals with history of his dysfunctional family. It even took two characters, McCall and Elliott, to cover the Conroy autobiographical character in "Beach Music". The mock trial was really contrived and unbelievable. Let's vent and all be buddies again. Come on, Pat, get over that rotten childhood and give us something new and refreshing.

Rating:
Summary: A mandatory "slow" read! Don't miss a word!!!
Review: A fast paced story that is impeccably written. True "literature" at it's finest. You find yourself reading and re-reading paragraphs, purely for the beauty of the writing. Multiple stories and characters, incredibly interwoven to hold your attention from page to page. You never want it to end, and you'll never loan it to friends. Buy them their own copy!!

Rating:
Summary: MISTER Conroy... You've got me! I am a fan!
Review: Yes... I'm an emotional woman and easily brought to tears, but... this is THE only book that made me sob! It also had me laugh out loud. I felt that I NEEDED to write a fan letter to Pat Conroy and wrote it! I'm now searching the shelves for more of his works