Conversations with the Conroys: Interviews with Pat Conroy and His Family

by Nikky Finney (Afterword), Walter Edgar (Editor)

“Portrays a deeply troubled family struggling to survive amidst terrifying abuse . . . a page-turner, as engrossing as any of Conroy’s novels.” —Robert H. Brinkmeyer Jr., University of South CarolinaA New York Times–bestselling author of eleven novels and memoirs, Pat Conroy is one of America’s most beloved storytellers and a writer as synonymous with the South Carolina lowcountry as pluff mud or the Palmetto tree. As Conroy’s writings have been rooted in autobiography more often than not, his readers have come to know and appreciate much about the once-secret dark familial history that has shaped Conroy’s life and work.Conversations with the Conroys opens further the discussion of the Conroy family through five revealing interviews conducted in 2014 with Pat Conroy and four of his six brothers Mike, Jim, and Tim and sister Kathy. In confessional and often comic dialogs, the Conroys openly discuss the perils of being raised by their larger-than-life parents, USMC fighter pilot Col. Don Conroy (the Great Santini) and southern belle Peggy Conroy (née Peek); the complexities of having their history of abuse made public by Pat’s books; the tragic death of their youngest brother, Tom; the chasm between them and their sister Carol Ann; and the healing, redemptive embrace they have come to find over time in one another. With good humor and often-striking candor, these interviews capture the Conroys as authentic and indeed proud South Carolinians, not always at ease with their place in literary lore, but nonetheless deeply supportive of Pat in his life and writing.“[A] small gem of a book . . . For fans of Conroy’s books, this is a must-read.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Nikky Finney was born at the rim of the Atlantic Ocean, in South Carolina, in 1957. The daughter of activists and educators, she began writing in the midst of the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movements. With these instrumental eras circling her, Finney's work provides first-person literary accounts to some of the most important events in American history.

In 1985, and at the age of 26, Finney's debut collection of poetry, On Wings Made of Gauze, was published by William Morrow (a division of HaperCollins). Finney's next full-length collection of poetry and portraits, RICE (Sister Vision Press, 1995), was awarded the PEN America-Open Book Award, which was followed by a collection of short stories entitled Heartwood (University Press of Kentucky, 1998). Her next full-length poetry collection, The World Is Round (Inner Light Books, 2003) was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Award sponsored by the Independent Booksellers Association. In 2007, Finney edited the anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South (University of Georgia Press/Cave Canem), which has become an essential compilation of contemporary African American writers. Her fourth full-length collection of poetry, Head Off & Split, is a National Book Award Winner.

Finney and her work have been featured on Russell Simmons DEF Poetry (HBO series), renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson's feature The Meaning of Food (a PBS production) and National Public Radio. Her work has been praised by Walter Mosley, Nikki Giovanni, Gloria Naylor and the late CBS/60 Minutes news anchor Ed Bradley. Finney has held distinguished posts at Berea College as the Goode Chair in the Humanities and Smith College as the Grace Hazard Conklin Writer-in-Residence.

Finney is currently a Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University Kentucky. She is a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone. First, you must be a Pat Conroy fan. Second, you should have read most or all of his books but most especially "Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini."

This is a short compendium of transcripts of roundtable discussions—most on the radio, one at the South Carolina Book Festival, and one a telephone interview—between Pat Conroy and four of his siblings: Mike Conroy, Jim Conroy, Kathy Conroy Harvey, and Tim Conroy. There is lots of sibling joshing and ribbing, as well as serious revelations about the long-held family secrets of physical abuse by their father, Donald Conroy. Pat broke the family code of silence when he published a kind of tell-all in his novels "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides," both of which were made into movies.

Because the text is just transcripts of the written word, some of it can feel a bit rough and there are several glaring typos. Words said aloud don't always translate to the written word as well. Still, the book reveals much about the heretofore silent siblings and adds much to the backstory of Pat Conroy's best loved books.

This is a must-read for Pat Conroy fans.

(Although we share the same name, Pat Conroy and I are not kin, as they say in South Carolina. Too bad!)

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have to see if I can track down any copies of the audios of this collection, just to hear Conroy (and his siblings) again. He was so funny to listen to. I wish I had be able to attend some of these events, though at least I did get to hear Conroy speak on the University of South Carolina campus once, as well as got to meet him. Nice collection of photos, too. I still look with anticipation for another book by him, yet knowing it will not be coming. So for now I snatch up these types of books.

[J Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Alternative View

I am a year older than Pat. I've read every single book more than once, even tried his recipes.
I see outsized similarities in some of our decision making. I see similarities in our siblings. I unfortunately, see some familiar, awful traits and fears of those traits between our fathers. My mother saved us as little kids, then, as we became adults, showed us that it was her who was the hateful, domineering Prima Donna and narcissist in the family. It was her who ultimately damaged our trust in humankind. It was her who thought money and power, prestige, precious antiques, and being a member of the upper class was more important than family. It is the mother who is the errant protagonist of Pat Conroy's works.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is for the Pat Conroy diehards who want to know more about his (and his siblings’) tough childhood. What struck me is how much they all use humor to deflect emotional turmoil and how their love for each other continues to save them.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll take anything Conroy I can get! It was interesting to hear from the siblings. A must for readers of Pat Conroy.

[Laurie Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Pat Conroy fan, and I'll voraciously read anything I can get my hands on either by him, or about him. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Sharon Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable discussions with the Conroy siblings!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful little gem for diehard Conroy fans. I would not recommend this unless you have read most or all of Pat Conroy’s other books-especially the “Santini” books.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pat Conroy was my favorite contemporary novelist. I've been bummed by his recent death but found much enjoyment here through a series of interviews of him and his siblings. The story of their family's dysfunction has been become infamous through Conroy's books and the movies based on them. The first movie was "The Great Santini" and it was Robert Duvall's first starring role. However one of the brothers said that Duvall reminded him more of Bambi than their father! The perseverance and humor of this family is remarkable in light of all the abuse they endured growing up.

[Eileenjp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Pat Conroy's books, I enjoyed reading the interviews that Walter Edgar had with Pat and one of his sisters and three of his brothers. Missing was his one sister, Carol, who was estranged with Pat the last few years of his life, and his brother who passed away several years ago. The Conroy's spoke openly of the difficulty of their childhood and the ways that Pat's work was an accurate depiction of their struggles.
For me this was an interesting read. I will miss Pat Conroy and his unique style.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contained several conversations with Pat Conroy and his brothers and sister. I found the interviews very interesting because I've read all of Pat's books several times and his family discussed his books and how close they were to their reality growing up. It was very interesting to compare their memories of growing up to the stories in Pat's books. Despite a very tough upbringing, its very evident that they love each other deeply. Great book for Pat Conroy fans.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transcripts of recent(ish) interviews with Pat Conroy and his siblings (minus Carol, of course). I mean, it's just a record of their conversation, but I've been listening to podcasts all week, old interviews with Pat Conroy on NPR, and I love his voice and his stories and even though this doesn't really give me anything new it is still wonderful.

[Susan Stans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book following the completion of my fourth Pat Conroy novel Loved hearing about what his role was to his brothers and sisters for his books and what impact his books had on them. Rather rouneded out the story My favorite author. There are a few of his books for me to read. Glory! Glory!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to win this book through the GoodReads contest which was provided by the University of South Carolina Press!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading the interviews. At times I felt that I was in the room with them. It is fun to go back and read some of the quips and stories again and again.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Pat Conroy's books and you have read The Great Santini, you will enjoy these interviews with him and his siblings. It's truly amazing what great respect and affection they have for one another.

[Patsy Tindell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pat Conroy and his siblings answered questions about their lives as children of a violent father and dysfunctional mother. Pat Conroy is the author of The Water is Wide, Prince of Tides, South of Broad, and other stories set in South Carolinia.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn't a "book." It was transcripts of conversations that didn't merit transcripting.

[Judy Gacek]

One of my favorite authors. However, the interviews were not that interesting. No new insights.

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of Pat Conroy. You will feel like your in the room with Pat Conroy's family (3 brothers, 1 sister). 1 brother committed suicide, 1 sister doesn't stay in touch.

[Colleen Lahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. If you ever wondered where Pat Conroy got his material for his writing, this is book for you.

[Jane Gunn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read Death of Santini......nothing new in these interviews that was not in the book. A family thst takes a great deal of pride in their dysfunction.

[Richard Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book of discussions with Pat Conroy and his siblings describing the well known family disfunction..

[Jim Cullison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and absorbing read. A true tribe of survivors.