Author Pat Conroy visits Asheville

Even if you don’t know that you know Pat Conroy, you do. He’s that guy — the one who wrote The Prince of Tides which was subsequently made into a tear-jerker of a movie starring Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand.

Conroy (who was born in Atlanta and grew up in South Carolina) has penned many a well-known novel: The Water Is Wide, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, Beach Music and, just a few years ago, My Losing Season, a memoir about playing basketball at The Citadel.

This year, Conroy published My Reading Life in which he (according to Publishers Weekly), “pays tribute to the men who were substitute father figures and mentors, among them a legendary book rep who chastised him for his “overcaffeinated prose.” Breakneck contrasts exist throughout: on the one hand, Conroy sketches concisely the venom of Southern white bigotry; on the other hand, he allows humor to bubble up through dialogue, and riffs the English language. While some readers will not progress beyond the fustian prose, Conroy’s legion of fans will doubtlessly bond with the author as he earnestly explores the role of books in providing him with inspiration and solace.”

Conroy makes an appearance at The Captain’s Bookshelf (31 Page Ave., Asheville, 253-6631) on Sunday, Nov. 28 to sign copies of My Reading Life. The event takes place at 3 p.m.; Conroy’s previously published titles will also be available. According to a press release, “Signed first-printing copies of My Reading Life may be ordered for $30 inclusive of all taxes and shipping charges.”

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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One thought on “Author Pat Conroy visits Asheville

  1. BigAl

    I am disappointed. His eulogy of author Doug Marlette stated he was going to name his next novel “Bring Me the Head of Alan Gurganus”.

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