Friday, October 18, 2019

Book Review - The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy


The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy was written in 1972 and it’s a timely read. My book club suggested it and the late Pat Conroy never disappointed. His humor and smooth talking Southern voice drawls from the pages as you turn them. He’s a sharp writer and deft with descriptions and the human narrative. I dare you to read this book and not be touched by his true story.

Cover blurb: The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw Island, America is a world away.

Currently, their school has no teacher and looks to the mainland for “volunteers” to give a year of life to live on the island and try to teach these “heathen black kids”. Pat Conroy chooses his calling and climbs aboard the small boat that ferries him to the island. Here’s this white man who’s consciously moved from southern prejudice to teach black kids the ABCs. He’s appalled at what they don’t know. He’s appalled that the members of the school board have given up on these kids. He’s especially appalled at the one black woman who looks down her nose the most at these poor youth.

Oh, it’s a struggle and you will laugh out loud at how he describes some situations. He’s dealing with a lot of traditions, a lot of fears, and he learns quickly who he needs to get on his side (an elder grandmother holds the key). With some acceptance, he can arrange a field trip to the mainland for the kids to experience Halloween. This is a whole new world and requires shoes for some kids.
The poverty is immense. The lack of proper learning is a huge gap. The Water is Wide indeed. But by the end of the book, it looks like Pat Conroy has learned the most, and  gained the respect and touched the lives of kids. Neither party will ever be the same. It’s quite an eye opening education and book to read.



10 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your wonderful review Joanne, it do seem a great book.
    Have a great weekend.

    Yvonne.

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    1. thanks. Gives a good perspective on teaching and more

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  2. Sounds like a journey that helped both sides.

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  3. I loved that book! Then again, I've loved all of his books... have you read "Prince of Tides"? If not, I highly recommend it.

    Have a super weekend, kiddo.

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    1. absolutely. I've always liked his writing and Prince of Tides is a big thumbs up

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  4. I'm a huge Pat Conroy fan. He did speak the truth in his fiction and in this case his memoir.

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  5. I read this years ago and loved it! Sounds like it still holds up and is relevant today.

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  6. Excellent Joanne - just ordered it ... sounds interesting and informative ... cheers Hilary

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