#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A big sweeping novel of friendship and marriage” (The Washington Post) by the celebrated author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini Leopold Bloom King has been raised in a family shattered—and shadowed—by tragedy. Lonely and adrift, he searches for something to sustain him and finds it among a tightly knit group of outsiders. Surviving marriages happy and troubled, unrequited loves and unspoken longings, hard-won successes and devastating breakdowns, as well as Charleston, South Carolina’s dark legacy of racism and class divisions, these friends will endure until a final test forces them to face something none of them are prepared for. Spanning two turbulent decades, South of Broad is Pat Conroy at his finest: a masterpiece from a great American writer whose passion for life and language knows no bounds. Praise for South of Broad “Vintage Pat Conroy . . . a big sweeping novel of friendship and marriage.”—The Washington Post “Conroy remains a magician of the page.”—The New York Times Book Review “Richly imagined . . . These characters are gallant in the grand old-fashioned sense, devoted to one another and to home. That siren song of place has never sounded so sweet.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune “A lavish, no-holds-barred performance.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “A lovely, often thrilling story.”—The Dallas Morning News “A pleasure to read . . . a must for Conroy’s fans.”—Associated Press
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"This was an extremely interesting and astonishing book. Mark Deakins held my attention for the full 16 CD's. I was mesmerized by Charleston, SC and the unique life of Leo King. Growing up Catholic it was revealing to learn all that had happened and all of the struggles that each character went through. It was a book that you were drawn into as Leo tried to find his way and something to sustain him. The interesting depth of the friendships that develop and the journey that takes them to San Francisco. Plus going through Hurricane Hugo and the aftermath was remarkable. I wanted to make sure I said a huge thank you to Mark Deakins he did a fantastic job and I would grab a beer and head back out to the car to keep listening after dinner. My wife laughed at me pretty good for that one. The ending was unbelievable and the emotions I encountered throughout the book were deeply felt. I enjoyed the CD's tremendously and Mark Deakins did a wonderful job with the characters and voices. As an esca"
— Dave O'Lenick (5 out of 5 stars)
" I enjoyed how the different characters were portrayed and how the book kept my interest. "
— Beth, 3/13/2023" i want to pack up and visit Charleston right now! I could not put it down, 480 pages but I read it in 3 days. If I say much else, I will tread on spoiler territory...one plot device I didn't buy, but otherwise solid. Movie? "
— Becky, 2/4/2014" A great story with an interesting and unexpected twist! Colorful characters with a lot of depth. "
— Nanci, 1/28/2014" This book was so enjoyable! I couldn't put it down. You really get sucked into the storyline. I recommend this book. "
— Marla, 1/28/2014" I really enjoyed how the story kept moving. There were a lot of characters so I had to remind myself early on how they were connected to one another, but eventually I knew them. It is a good book to take to the beach or on vacation. "
— Jen, 1/27/2014" One of my favorites--you are going to love Leopold Bloom. "
— Grace, 1/26/2014" Filled with quirky southern characters!!! A book you hate to finish "
— Paula, 1/25/2014" Conroy's writing is sumptuous, and this story is exemplary. The friendships and improbable pairings reflect a changing South (focused on Charleston here) and a faith in the ties that bind (not necessarily familial). This being Pat Conroy, you know there will be pain, but when it comes he softens it with the friendships and loyalties that don't allow anyone to suffer alone. Many (perhaps too many) pervasive issues here: race, homosexuality, child abuse (of course), suicide, AIDS, class warfare. But this is one author who can make you want to read even as you dread what he's going to say. "
— Blaine, 1/21/2014" It started off strong and got almost silly and unbelievable. "
— Tiffany, 1/20/2014" Beautifully written in the best tradition of southern authors. "
— Diane, 1/13/2014" This book has five parts and each of them could have been a book in itself. Leo King seemed too nice of a character without any clear flaws except his love for his wife, who he refuses to divorce. "
— Jeff, 12/26/2013" I have never read Pat Conroy before. This was for my book club and I have to say, I did really enjoy it. The characters were interesting and complex, but I was most impressed by the depth of his descriptions. "
— Lyn, 12/15/2013" I liked this book. However, it could have been condensed. It was too long and just kind of dragged out. Took me forever to read. I had a hard time staying focused. But the characters were interesting. "
— Tiffany, 12/11/2013" I truly enjoyed this story. "
— Lucy, 11/17/2013" Pat Conroy is good at writing about Tragedy and Charleston SC. "
— Contressa, 10/27/2013" This is a difficult read. Too many characters. Too many story lines and a dialogue that quite frankly really rubbed me the wrong way for the first third of the book. This is my first book by this author and most likely my last. "
— Delecia, 7/27/2013" It was a strange story of a bunch of friends and life a few years later. It was an interesting read but certainly not what I am looking for in a great read. "
— Rebecca, 6/8/2013" A very long, tiring book. "
— Kalynn, 4/14/2013" Always good to read Pat Conroy. "
— Jwcollein, 3/1/2013" This book would not have been published if not for the Authors fame. Badly written, clearly full of himself, bunch of macho b.s. I felt I was reading a script for a 70's episode of "Dallas". "
— Donna, 1/3/2013" I loved the way the writer keeps you engaged with the lives of all the characters. He has very accurately captured how relationships between friends evolve over time. The underlying mystery just adds to the whole concept. "
— Surbhee, 10/13/2012" I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The characters were wonderful, the plot was excellent and the scenery was magnificent. "
— Nancy, 9/9/2012" I love Pat Conroy's writing and characters, but this is probably my least favorite of his books. "
— Kate, 3/23/2012" A very intense mystery, along with excellent character development. I could "see" the characters and by the end of the story, I knew them well. The writing was beautiful. "
— Ellen, 10/15/2011" I love the writing of Pat Conroy. This is a journey of highs and lows with a two decade time span. Typical of Conroy, its setting is Charleston with its old traditions butting against social changes, such as segregation. Interesting all the way. "
— Lawrence, 10/7/2011" Pat Conroy never fails me! I enjoyed every word of this book! "
— Peggy, 10/6/2011" Loved his Lords of Discipline. This one, not so much. "
— Lori, 6/11/2011" The cast of characters certainly kept my interest, however the story line sometimes seemed improbable<br/><br/> "
— Joyce, 5/24/2011" Not my favorite Pat Conroy book but a decent book. "
— Kelly, 5/21/2011" Not the best Pat Conroy. Parts of it don't even seem like Pat Conroy "
— Katie, 5/21/2011" The story is compelling. The vulgar language used was not the kind of language needed to portray the story. Too much vile language overshadowed the depth of character development. "
— Mary, 5/20/2011" Well-developed characters and good story which seemed to include most all hot-button topics from dysfunctional families, integration, abuse amid interesting story line. I enjoy Pat Conroy's writing. "
— Florence, 5/19/2011" loved it - somewhat disturbing though "
— Janet, 5/18/2011" Very interesting book about the twists and turns of a group of friends growing up in Charleston in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The narrator brings the group together and they share much sorrow and happiness. "
— Elaine, 5/16/2011" This may become an all time favorite. It is long but worth the time. Many fantastic characters and an engaging plot that spans many topics. "
— Becky, 5/15/2011" I wanted to enjoy this much more than I did. Pat Conroy makes misery look so beautiful, but in this book it felt like he was trying to tell about 4 novels' worth of miserable stories at once, and it was tedious. "
— Heather, 5/15/2011" LOVED this story set in Charleston, following an unlikely group of friends from school age (1960s) into their mature adult lives. Incredible friendships, brilliant dialogue and storytelling.<br/>This one is a must-read! "
— Dmehringer, 5/15/2011" This is probably more of a three star book but it grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading it. "
— Keely, 5/14/2011" This is the first novel by pat Conroy I have read. Absolutely loved it so have purchased The Prince of Tides which I am currently reading. "
— Angela, 5/13/2011" Loved the earlier Conroy novels, but I feel he's a bit flabby and overblown in his prose with this one. "
— Brenda, 5/13/2011" Captivating book on dysfunctional family relationships. "
— Gaerda, 5/12/2011" Wonderful characters, full of so much love, pathos, hope, a novel of our times "
— Doreen, 5/10/2011Donald Patrick “Pat” Conroy (1945–2016) was an American author of acclaimed novels and memoirs, two of which made it to #1 on New York Times bestsellers list: Beach Music and South of Broad. Four of his novels were made into major motion pictures: The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Conrack, and The Lords of Discipline. The novel on which the movie Conrack was based, The Water Is Wide, won an NEA Human and Civil Rights Award and an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award.
Mark Deakins is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and actor whose television appearances include Head Case, Star Trek: Voyager, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Intervention, Star Trek: Insurrection, and The Devil’s Advocate. He wrote, directed, and produced the short film The Smith Interviews.