Scan barcode
litasheller's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mandyfish's review against another edition
4.0
The great dysfunctional dad novel. If you like your childhood fucked up and your dad's meaner than spit, read this book. I've always loved it.
hinesight's review against another edition
5.0
This book is gorgeously written, but like most books by Conroy, waits until you're in love with each character to shake you by the scruff of the neck. My daughter put it best: "You're just reading along, having a wonderful time, and then everything goes to shit." Yeah. Worth it, but yeah. (God, I'm going to miss him.)
tamgperkins's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Conroy novel. Not as emotionally charged as The Prince of Tides. He somehow makes Bull Meechum a likable character. Lots of humor and witty characters.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Lt Col Bull Meecham is a Marine fighter pilot – No – he is the GREATEST Marine Fighter Pilot. Just ask his family or any of the men serving under him. This novel gives us a glimpse of one Marine’s family. Lillian is the gentle, Southern-born wife who tempers her husband’s erratic drive with a cool, steady demeanor. She is the buffer between Bull and their children. But as their first-born, Ben, moves toward high school graduation, he is increasingly at odds with his father. No matter how he excels – at sports or academics – it is never good enough to please the Colonel.
I really disliked Bull and yet I really liked the novel. Conroy completely drew me into this dysfunctional family and their complicated relationships. I loved the way he gave us insight into his characters by showing us examples of their strengths and weaknesses: Ben one-on-one against his father shooting baskets in the driveway; Mary Anne masking her pain with a smart retort; Bull coming to Ben’s defense against the town bullies; Lillian pleading with Ben to bring his father home.
As much as I disliked Bull, I grew to love Ben. He is a sensitive boy, growing to manhood, and he is able to glean the good lessons from his father – loyalty to your family and friends, championing the weak, hard work and never giving up – and recognize the poor example as well, vowing to never be like his father in those ways.
The person I was most infuriated with was Lillian. Her blind devotion to the man she married – or the man she hoped he was – drove me crazy. Even when confronted with specific evidence she refused to see how harmful Bull’s behavior was to her and her children.
I have had Pat Conroy on my reading radar for a long time, but never read any of his novels before this. I’m certain this won’t be my last Conroy work.
I really disliked Bull and yet I really liked the novel. Conroy completely drew me into this dysfunctional family and their complicated relationships. I loved the way he gave us insight into his characters by showing us examples of their strengths and weaknesses: Ben one-on-one against his father shooting baskets in the driveway; Mary Anne masking her pain with a smart retort; Bull coming to Ben’s defense against the town bullies; Lillian pleading with Ben to bring his father home.
As much as I disliked Bull, I grew to love Ben. He is a sensitive boy, growing to manhood, and he is able to glean the good lessons from his father – loyalty to your family and friends, championing the weak, hard work and never giving up – and recognize the poor example as well, vowing to never be like his father in those ways.
The person I was most infuriated with was Lillian. Her blind devotion to the man she married – or the man she hoped he was – drove me crazy. Even when confronted with specific evidence she refused to see how harmful Bull’s behavior was to her and her children.
I have had Pat Conroy on my reading radar for a long time, but never read any of his novels before this. I’m certain this won’t be my last Conroy work.
cheard's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
msreadsall_92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
corleystone's review
4.0
After spending the majority of this book hoping it would hurry up, and that Bull would have some sort “turning point” moment, the last 200ish pages then flew by and I ended up an emotional wreck. So all in all I guess you could say I enjoyed it and Pat Conroy is a complicated and masterful writer.
pennyluvs2read's review against another edition
1.0
This book gets one star for good spelling at some lyrical writing (at times). But I hated everything about it. It does not stand the test of time and it is hard to imagine it ever being regarded as a good read. They even made a movie out of it! It valorizes and glorifies violent and brutish masculinity, anti-black racism, antisemitism and misogyny. These are the qualities of the 'hero'. If it is meant to expose the horrors of military men, it succeeds. I only read it, and finished it, because I was recently visiting the low country of South Carolina and Pat Conroy was recommended. I suspect I picked the worst of his oeuvre, but I can't see myself reading any more of his books based on this experience. I only finished it in hopes that the monstrous protagonist would be killed off in the end.
coley_reads's review
medium-paced
1.5
Too humorous for me. I thought it would b a serious marine dad training his son in basketball. Being too hard on him and being a coach more than a parent. Nope. Lot of humor dialog. I dont like ppl tryin to make me laugh.