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This is my new favorite book. Prince of Tides (also by Pat Conroy) used to be, now Beach Music has moved up in the rank. Much of his text is pure poetry. If I were an English teacher I would use many of his paragraphs to exemplify how to paint a heart-felt picture.
Conroy is amazing at developing the characters and providing rich detail of their personal experiences with poverty and war. These sections make a great narrative of the realities of the Holocaust and Vietnam, and how those experiences left indellible marks on those who lived through that time. I am going to have my teenage daughters read it just to get a first-person perspective of Germany in the 1940's and America in the 1970's.
I didn't want it to end. I spent several nights lying in bed awake, thinking of who I would cast in a film adaption of Beach Music.
Conroy is amazing at developing the characters and providing rich detail of their personal experiences with poverty and war. These sections make a great narrative of the realities of the Holocaust and Vietnam, and how those experiences left indellible marks on those who lived through that time. I am going to have my teenage daughters read it just to get a first-person perspective of Germany in the 1940's and America in the 1970's.
I didn't want it to end. I spent several nights lying in bed awake, thinking of who I would cast in a film adaption of Beach Music.
Really well-written. Characters are richly drawn and stay with you. I read it years ago and am thinking of reading it again!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book keeps your intrest from the first page all the way to the last page. It is well written and you get involved in every character. 800 pages and it seems like maybe a 100 pages. It reads so quickly!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Spanning three generations and two continents, from the contemporary ruins of the American South to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the unutterable horrors of the Holocaust to the lingering trauma of Vietnam, Beach Music sings with life's pain and glory.
I actually listened to the audio version of this book at work many years ago. It's a wonderfully told story that will have you both laughing and crying, as well as disappointed when it comes to an end. It wasn't often that someone in the office would find a book that was so good, it would make its way through several departments with multiple people listening to it at the same time, but this was definitely one of them. Pat Conroy is a wonderful storyteller, and this is one that shouldn't be missed.
Loved this book! VERY well written with such beautiful descriptions of virtually every encounter, person and animal in the book! The characters are lovable and some contemptible, but you get a true and accurate portrayal of all. Wholeheartedly recommend this book!
Although I found this book easy to put down, I also found it easy to pick back up. I really enjoyed the story.
Another well written book by Pat Conroy. Without giving the story away--there's some pretty graphic scenes in the latter part of the book. I read this a couple of years ago but still remember the disturbing visual picture it painted. Like the other books by Pat Conroy this contains strong characters.
I have read all of Pat Conroy's works. He is one of my all time favorites. Beach Music is fairly long but well worth the time.
Pure poetry!
Spanning three generations and two continents, from the contempotary ruins of American South to the ancient ruins of Rome, from thr horror of the Holocost to the trama of Vietnam, Beach music sings with it’s pain and glory.
A sweeping novel about Jack McCall, an American expatgriate in Rome, who tries to find peace after his wife's suicide.
A story about Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome,scarred by the tragedy of his wife's suicide, searching for the answer to a haunting secret in his family's past. Novel visits three generations in this characters family.
Complex story of families who grew up together in a small town. Typical beautiful Conroy prose, little long in places but beautifully written.
Pat Conroy is one of my favorite authors, and he didn't disappoint me with this book. The Denver POst said about the book,"Pat Conroy's writing contains a virtue now rare in most contemporary fiction: Passion."
This is my favorite book. It's long and it's very well written. Pat Conroy is master storyteller.
Conroy's was the most talked-about book at the American Booksellers Association convention, even though it was reputedly only half-written. Hero Jack McCall, who has fled to Rome after his wife's suicide, is asked to locate a Sixties buddy whose antiwar activity drove him underground.
LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW
LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW
Shyla, Jack McCall's wife has committed suicide and he has taken his young daughter to Italy to forget. However, the past will not be forgotten.
I've been reading Pat Conroy's books since I was a teenager - this is an incredible story.
Pat Conroy, America's preeminent storyteller,delivers a sweeping new novel of lyric intensity and searing truth-the story of Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome, scarred by tragedy and betrayal. His desperate desire to find peace after his wife's suicide draws him into a painful,intimate search for the one haunting secret in his family's past that can heal his anguished heart.
never read
An engrossing, big book to take on vacation or a long trip. Set in Rome and South Carolina, it really takes you into its world.
The story of Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome, scarred by tragedy and betrayal. His desperate desire to find peace after his wife's suicide draws him into a painful, intimate search for the one haunting secret in his family's past that can heal his anguished heart.
I could not put this book down.
Slow beginning, but then it becomes really interesting. Multi-generation set in the south, but also takes place in Nazi Germany. I really liked it.
This book is from the same author who wrote "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini". I haven't had a chance to read it yet but here's an excerpt from the back cover to give you an idea of what it's about: "Pat Conroy....delivers a sweeping new novel of lyric intensity and searing truth - the story of Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome, scarred by tragedy and betrayal. His desperate desire to find peace after his wife's suicide draws him into a painful, intimate search for the one haunting secret in his family's past that can heal his anguished heart." "Beach Music" received rave reviews from major publications, such as "The Washington Post", "The Denver Post", "Houston Chronicle", and "The Los Angeles Times Book Review."
Always enjoy Pat Conroy. This was somewhat autobiographical from what I have heard. Husband and I both enjoyed it.
Beautiful, haunting. Keep tissues nearby.
A tough read, but worth it in the end. A good book for book clubs
One of my FAVORITES!!! The main story follows Jack McCall, who flees to Rome with his young daughter Leah after his beloved wife Shyla has committed suicide. He leaves behind a bevy of colorful family and friends in an effort to escape his torment and begin a new life in a new land. As a travel writer by trade, Jack is able to pick up and live wherever he chooses. It is a telegram from a family member that will finally bring Jack back to South Carolina to face his demons and learn the stories of all those he loves.
Pat Conroy always has great characters. This book is about a man whose wife commits suicide and then moves to Rome with his daughter . . . and their return to the American South where they started.
It details his history with his wife, her family, what led her to her suicide and his struggle with letting it all go. A great book!!
It details his history with his wife, her family, what led her to her suicide and his struggle with letting it all go. A great book!!
One of my all time favorites. I have kept it on my bookshelf for several years and am willing to let go of it now having joined the PBS
Good book. Another long one.
Spanning 3 generations and 2 continents, from the contemporary ruins of the American South to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the unutterable horrors of the Holocaust to the lingering trauma of Vietnam, Beach Music sings with life's pain and glory.
a powerful heartfelt tale
a man searches for peace following his wife's suicide - set in europe and the deep south, beautiful
good book
Very interesting and touching story with brief history lessons interspersed.
Completely captivating...a long read...and a worthwhile one.
have not read yet.
This is a sweeping novel by Pat Conroy - it is the story of Jack McCall, an American expatriate in Rome, scarred by tragedy and betrayal. His despaereate desire to find peace after his wife's suicide draws him into a painful intimate search for the one haunting secret in his family's past that can heal his anguished heart. This story spans three generations and two continents, from the contemporary ruins of the American South to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the unutterable horrors of the Holocaust to the lingering trauma of Vietnam. This is powerful, heartfelt tale.
This is one the best books I've read. The writing just takes your breath away. Truly excellent. Men and women alike would enjoy it.
this is my favorite Conroy book and it made a great beach and summer read you won't regret it.
I actually liked this book, and I often fail to make it thru Conroy. Interesting book about life in small-town Georgia and living with the effects of the holocaust, even generations later.