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: The Great Santini
Review: Those of you who have grown up with a military parent, or forthose who are in the military, this book will have special meaning foryou. One aspect of this book is its realism, some where in America there is some family being raised by a military parent that is dealing with the same issues this book deals with. This is a story about real life, which is why I liked it so much. Having military in my family I was able to have a special connection with the characters in the story.
Rating: 
Summary: A Journey into Marine Family Life
Review: This classic novel takes a look at a Marine family's life. It takes place on an Marine Base in South Carolina (As most of Conroy's works take place in SC)Bull Meechum is a tough Marine who runs his family as he would a group of Marines. This is evident in the events that happen to his oldest son Ben. Ben is dealing with the conflicts of being a Marine like Col. Meechum's son. This book is a fine novel, which is meaningful not only to real Marine families,but to all families. One of Conroy's finest.
Rating:
Summary: I loved "The Great Santini"!
Review: This book was an excellent read- another classic Conroy novel with beautiful language and vivid desciptions. Though many people thought Bull Meecham was the best portrayed character in this novel, I thought Ben's younger sister stole the spot light with her dry sense of humor and hidden dark sides. I definately recommend this!
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: 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: Impossible situations
Review: Pat Conroy brings his characters from some world in which nobody can possibly be in the right situation. A military father, married to a gentle lady with weak children; a southern lady who has a vulgar family; a cynical girl with optimistic siblings; and a boy who just can't cut it being tough. Ben has the typical abusive military father. Ben draws some sense of false motivation from his father's insults and threats, so he never can truly grow by himself. Ben fears his father, yet at the same time, has some sense of loyalty that holds them together. Ben as a person is too weak to challenge his father's cruel treatments. He needs to conform to the expectations of his parents, as well as society, even though he is an outcast. Near the end of the book, when Ben assumes the role as family leader, although he has shown some growth, he hasn't avoided conforming to his father's expectations. Mary Anne still flicks tears at the back of his neck in the car, as she did to her father in the beginning. Conroy has the ability to place characters in seemingly impossible situations, and yet somehow their struggle makes a good story.
Rating: 
Summary: The Great Santini
Review: Although I am quite taken with Pat Conroy, I was not particularly fond of this book. The characters were not believable enough to develop feelings for and Bull Meecham was not a likeable character at all. I love the descriptive "poetry" he uses in his novels, though. Many other readers seem to love this book- maybe it's a military family thing.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Santini
Review: With "The Great Santini", Conroy has somehow made Bull Meecham, a most abusive and tyrranical father, almost lovable by the end of the family's chronicle. Focusing mainly on Bull's stressing relationship with his eldest son, Ben, who will never be good enough, the story is funny, crude, but most of all,authentic.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: A perfect example of the family of a Marine
| 
