Search - The Water Is Wide

One of the best books I've read...Interesting story about a unique group of people (residents of the barrier islands off South Carolina) which makes the book worthwhile on that basis alone. To me, however, the main draw is Conroy's brilliant use of language. The author uses the cadence of the place and he does not shirk from words- rich beautiful complex words. The usage is not the sometimes tortuous meandering of an author like J.D. Salinger but it is definately above the level of the daily news. All of Conroy's books are a joy to read but this first (nonfiction)venture tells us much about the South Carolina roots of his writing. Lavon

Rarely do I give books a "10" rating. Pat Conroy's true tale of teaching on an island off South Carolina is an amusing and sometimes depressing story of teaching in a community that isn't as open to education than the administration would like you to think. I found myself wanting to go back into the classroom to perform miraclesd, too.

Never disappointed with a novel by Pat Conroy. This is a most unusual book about a white idealist young man taking a teaching position on an island of all black people off the coast of South Carolina. Bigotry at it's fullest and tenderness in full fight mode.

This is one of Conroy's nonfiction books, but still ranks among the best of any story-teller's works. The reader quickly identifies with Conroy's challenges and comes to love his approach to teaching. This is a fun book to read despite knowing in advance the unsatisfactory ending. Highly recommended.

A wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. Every teacher or person who works in education should be required to read this book.

This is a fantastic book.