The Prince of Tides: A Novel by Pat Conroy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Prince of Tides: A Novel
Book Review: I loved it despite some quibbles
Summary: 5 Stars
First, brief summary, no spoilers in this review.
This is the story of the three Wingo siblings, twins Tom and Savannah, and their older brother Luke - all born and raised in a small coastal town in South Carolina. At the start of the story we know that Tom is heading off to New York to visit his sister Savannah. She has become a famous poet, and has just made (another) attempt to commit suicide. Before he leaves, Tom's wife tell him that she is having an affair because Tom has become so distant from her.
When he gets to New York, Tom meets up with Savannah's psychiartrist, Susan Lowenstein. It is in her office that he tells her the story of their lives, and their horrifying childhood.
In criticism, at times the book can make its heroes and villains a little too stereotypical and predictable, in particular to characters outside the family. There is melodrama aplenty, and there was also a furry 4 legged character that strained credibility for me,
Despite these things, and even though the language at times can almost be too flowery, this was just a joy to read. There are some passages that just sing and Conroy at his best is just a beautiful, evocative writer.
Conroy is just one of the best storytellers around, in every sense of that word. I had trouble putting the book down and couldn't wait to get back to it when I did. I was very interested in what happened to the Wingo siblings, and Conroy sets up the foreshadowing just wonderfully. And it pays off.
I also think that many of us will identify with one character or another - in particular if you've had a tough time with either parent growing up. It's obvious that Conroy did, and he expresses that kind of conflict and turmoil in a way that might have you shaking your head in empathy and understanding.
Above all, as in his most recent book South of Broad, this novel is a paean to the South. Conroy loves his hometown of South Carolina, and the love he feels both for it and his characters is palpable and lovely. Like author Richard Russo, Conroy, he makes us love his characters too.
Highly recommended. A great read from start to finish.
Book Review: Southern Living
Summary: 5 Stars
I had to read this for a lit class of mine and it was a lot better than most of the feminist books they make us read. It's about the many hardships and problems surrounding a Southern family in South Carolina. The writing style relies heavily on flashback which is both annoying and cool. Some of the family stories I could care less about, but most of the dull moments seems to have an overall purpose in the chapters that follow. The author's writing is descriptive to the point of exhaustion. I'm all for imagery, but Conroy will drown you in a sea of language that soon has you forgetting what the current storyline is supposed to be about. The plot is good, my professor says it is exceptional because its character driven rather than plot driven. This means the stories reflect the personalities of the characters instead of the characters being forced into prescripted plots. I agree with her because the characters have made an impression on me that I will probably remember years from now. That's how you know it's a good book or not. Something will happen in your life and it will remind you of a character or a powerful event that occurred in a book. The Prince of Tides has many of these.Book Review: You will never forget the Prince of Tides
Summary: 5 Stars
Like the greatest of novels...this one sticks to you forever. To those that give it four stars I say "quit being so self-important as to feel like you need to find fault". I would ask them what greater novel in the last 75 years has been written. Better yet...write one yourself.
I read a lot and have rarely found a work that grabbed me and never let go. I'm writing this review 13 years after I read it for the first time.
Book Review: Been years since I've read, but one of my favorites
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Loved the writing, characters, story, and style. Couldn't put it down. One of those books that keeps you up until 3:00 in the morning reading. Book Review: good southern book
Summary: 4 Stars
i think being from the south makes this book what it is. i suppose that most of the lower ratings are from non southerners. they just don't get the experiences that are in this book. several reviewers said the humorous espisodes were over the top. one must have southern family members to relate.
the depression is somewhat intense. most of my southern relatives do not have time to dwell on themselves and to analyze each thought and action . they refuse to believe that they need help because they are too busy helping others. going to get a new hairdo is their therapy. dwelling on the need for therapy as a given arrived with the influx of people arriving from outside the south.
loved this book.