Helpful Score: 7
One of the best books I've read...Interesting story about a unique group of people (residents of the barrier islands off South Carolina) which makes the book worthwhile on that basis alone. To me, however, the main draw is Conroy's brilliant use of language. The author uses the cadence of the place and he does not shirk from words- rich beautiful complex words. The usage is not the sometimes tortuous meandering of an author like J.D. Salinger but it is definately above the level of the daily news. All of Conroy's books are a joy to read but this first (nonfiction)venture tells us much about the South Carolina roots of his writing. Lavon
Helpful Score: 5
Rarely do I give books a "10" rating. Pat Conroy's true tale of teaching on an island off South Carolina is an amusing and sometimes depressing story of teaching in a community that isn't as open to education than the administration would like you to think. I found myself wanting to go back into the classroom to perform miraclesd, too.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was first published in 1972. An autobiographical account of Pat Conroy's year teaching on an island off the coast of SC, the author draws a compelling picture of island life and the way the education system failed the children. Curiously, though, although Conroy exposed the children to a far larger world, I was not left with an understanding that he had achieved any educational breakthroughs with the children. There is only a brief reference to some of these older children beginning to read and others to count. I was left wondering what became of these children as adults, and if their children and grandchildren have been better served by our educational systems. Since my copy was published in 2002, an updated afterword from the author would have been most welcome.
And even as I was torn between my hope that this book was dated, that society has changed, and my suspicion that the world has not changed as much as I would like, I found an article in the April 16th (2010) Wall Street Journal about a lawsuit proceeding about evidence of racial discrimination at Turner Industries, in Louisiana. The article describes, nooses, racist graffiti, and pay discrimination and notes that the EEOC "makes reasonable cause findings such as the one issued on Turner Industries in only a small fraction of the cases that are filed with it each year. In fiscal 2009, for example, the EEOC received 33,579 complaints involving racial discrimination; only 1,201, or under 4%, received the reasonable cause determination." And I wonder - how many complaints are never filed? And how many pockets are there in our country in which children are never really given a chance to learn?
And even as I was torn between my hope that this book was dated, that society has changed, and my suspicion that the world has not changed as much as I would like, I found an article in the April 16th (2010) Wall Street Journal about a lawsuit proceeding about evidence of racial discrimination at Turner Industries, in Louisiana. The article describes, nooses, racist graffiti, and pay discrimination and notes that the EEOC "makes reasonable cause findings such as the one issued on Turner Industries in only a small fraction of the cases that are filed with it each year. In fiscal 2009, for example, the EEOC received 33,579 complaints involving racial discrimination; only 1,201, or under 4%, received the reasonable cause determination." And I wonder - how many complaints are never filed? And how many pockets are there in our country in which children are never really given a chance to learn?
Helpful Score: 1
Fabulous book, inspiration for the movie titled "Conrack", starring John Voight. A true story of a teacher who begins his teaching career by teaching a group of illiterate, poor black children on an island off of South Carolina. The author, Pat Conroy, went on to become a renowned author of such books as "The Lords of Discipline" and "The Prince of Tides"
Helpful Score: 1
Pat Conroy tells his amazing story with honesty and humor. In my opinion my book club will have a difficult time finding a better book in 2014.
Helpful Score: 1
Never disappointed with a novel by Pat Conroy. This is a most unusual book about a white idealist young man taking a teaching position on an island of all black people off the coast of South Carolina. Bigotry at it's fullest and tenderness in full fight mode.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm a biased Conroy fan--he's always captured me w/his powerful prose--but I believe I'd find this story enthralling no matter who wrote it, as long as it was written as truthfully, transparently. It's a poignant disclosure of a hidden slice of American culture, and though it's just a slice and it's hidden, it explains much about who we are and how we got here. I appreciated Conroy's treatment of the topic. Such raw love and brashness would not, I believe, be tolerated in schools these days, but it communicated clearly and effectively to his students and their families. I wanted him to have more time with those kids...
Helpful Score: 1
Awesome book. I live in South Carolina and can relate to many of the references made to difficult/poor education circumstances, and this story of trying to overcome them is uplifting. `
Helpful Score: 1
This excellent book gives a realistic look at the treatment of blacks on a nearly forgotten island. Conroy's experiences provide a glimpse at humanity-- the good and the ugly.
Very good, if old-fashioned. Made into a movie, i think?
This book had some passages of excellence & the dialect of the children & parents was great. As a retired educator, I struggled with Conroy's disregard for procedures & chain of command. He undoubtedly had a terribly difficult job, but an element of common sense might have made it more fruitful for his students.
This is one of Conroy's nonfiction books, but still ranks among the best of any story-teller's works. The reader quickly identifies with Conroy's challenges and comes to love his approach to teaching. This is a fun book to read despite knowing in advance the unsatisfactory ending. Highly recommended.
It is always nice to "read" while taking one of those long motor trips.
Well worth the time. I enjoyed it.
Well worth the time. I enjoyed it.
The author does a remarkable job of documenting experiences as a teacher in a remote and isolated island populated with a black population. Growing up in a white community where all black people were belittled, taunted, and ridiculed, his attitude changes as he matures. His hope is to help and to educate those who need it most. Bucking an administration that is self-righteous and arrogant, he flaunts his ideals and challenges the establishment. His experiences are predictable and heart wrenching. I love reading about life and its many differences. This one helped me understand what he encountered and how he grew from the time spent on this small island with people he understood little prior to teaching the children he found who needed so much help. Good read!
A wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. Every teacher or person who works in education should be required to read this book.
a triumphant story
This book is about one man's battle for the kids on a forgotten island.
The triumphant story of one man's battle for the kids on a forgotten American island.
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. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence -- unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher. Here is Pat Conroy's most extraordinary human drama -- based on the true story of a man who gave a year of his life to give an island and a people a new lifetime.
Pat Conroy also wrote best-seller "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini."
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. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence -- unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher. Here is Pat Conroy's most extraordinary human drama -- based on the true story of a man who gave a year of his life to give an island and a people a new lifetime.
Pat Conroy also wrote best-seller "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini."
This is a fantastic book.
About life on an island in South Carolina where people who have lived proudly from the sea but the water becomes unsafe from waste from industry. This tells how they learn how to live new lives and about the person who teaches them.
thai is the book that the movie Conrack was made from years ago.it is a wonderful story. the pages are a little yellowed
Great read!
Just plain wonderful, and a great picker-upper!
Finally a book about reality. The good guys don't always win. I was impressed with this book, so I've requested another book by Mr. Conroy.
One of my favorite authors.
