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beckca03's review against another edition
5.0
Selfishly, I'm giving this 5 stars simply because it's a Pat Conroy novel. I had forgotten how much I love his writing style, and it was a nice rebound after binging on Harry Potters for close to a year. If you enjoy Conroy's other novels, you won’t be disappointed. Perhaps more plot-driven than the predecessors, yet not predictable at all.
reading_at_the_zoo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
melody_b419's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
A story that spans multiple decades, South of Bride was an enjoyable read, especially since I had just visited Charleston a few weeks prior. Despite some of the forced or canned dialogue, the book felt like a love story to a special city.
It explores many of the major things a novel can, covering A LOT of ground: racism and integration in the South, the 1980s aids crisis in San Francisco, class dynamics in the aristocratic Low Country of South Carolina, James Joyce, orphans, murder, sexual assault and rape, incest, religious differences, monasticism, infidelity, death of a child, failing to live to up a parent's expectations, and much more—much told through the lens of a witty, local newspaper columnist.
The inclusion of a visit to the Asheville/Lake Lure area was just an extra sweet touch for this Southern Appalachian reader.
It explores many of the major things a novel can, covering A LOT of ground: racism and integration in the South, the 1980s aids crisis in San Francisco, class dynamics in the aristocratic Low Country of South Carolina, James Joyce, orphans, murder, sexual assault and rape, incest, religious differences, monasticism, infidelity, death of a child, failing to live to up a parent's expectations, and much more—much told through the lens of a witty, local newspaper columnist.
The inclusion of a visit to the Asheville/Lake Lure area was just an extra sweet touch for this Southern Appalachian reader.
kallmekirby's review against another edition
5.0
This was my second time reading South of Broad and I loved it even more if that's possible. I'm from Charleston so I've walked the same streets, I know where the houses are, and I can almost smell the jasmine and pluff mud and sea while I'm reading. He writes his settings and characters with so much depth that I can easily imagine walking along colonial lake with Leo and his friends. I am almost obsessed with all of Pat Conroy's books and this is no exception. PLEASE read this.
pbraue13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
tamgperkins's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. 1st I've read of Conroy. Very dark and disturbing.
mzokiegolfer's review against another edition
5.0
Wasn't sure I was going to like this but ended up loving it. Makes me just want to read all of his books. I like anything that has to do with the south and I love his style of writing.