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I am very grateful for the outpouring of praise for my latest book my memoir about my life with Pat Conroy TELL ME A STORY. I’d like you all to know that I read everyone of them and the private messages. Until recently (about beginning of March 2020) I was on an extensive book tour where I tried to meet as many of you, my wonderful readers, as I could… Sadly, the world has taken a scary turn; my prayers are with all of you…
103 entries.
wrote on September 6, 2023
at
8:40 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed "Tell Me a Story," after reading Pat's books and following his life for so long, your book gave many new insights to him and his wonderful life with you. He was a treasure!
wrote on September 4, 2023
at
6:17 pm
I just finished reading Tell Me A Story. Picked it up at the library yesterday and read most of it that day. Finished it first thing today-Memorial Day. Funny how you mentioned Memorial Day 3 or more times as being at memorial events in your book. I found the book just as enjoyable as the Pat books I’ve enjoyed. Eager to read more of your work. Would love to meet you someday...
wrote on September 2, 2023
at
9:38 am
I just finished your beautiful book. Between the laughter and”sweating eyeballs” I fell in love with you both. God’s blessings on you Mrs. King Ray Conroy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us.
wrote on August 13, 2023
at
6:29 pm
I just finished reading “Tell Me a Story.” It’s such a wonderful book. I feel like I know you both. Loved seeing the pictures on your website. Such a joy to read your story. Blessings!
wrote on July 24, 2023
at
4:24 pm
I just read the Q&A you did with Atlanta magazine and hope that things are at least a little bit better for you regarding Pat's passing. I read The Prince of Tides when I was 11 years old, and 15 years later, I was freelancing for the Durham Herald-Sun and working at Rite Aid. Pat was going to be in Chapel Hill for a signing of "Beach Music," and I scored a pre-signing phone interview with him.
I told my boss at Rite Aid I couldn't work a shift the next day because I had the interview, and Miz Barbara told me that I either had to come in and work the shift or don't come back at all. The next day I was on the phone with Pat and never darkened Rite Aid's doorways again. I left journalism just a couple of years ago, and that 45 minutes on the phone with Pat were the best 45 minutes of my entire career.
I told my boss at Rite Aid I couldn't work a shift the next day because I had the interview, and Miz Barbara told me that I either had to come in and work the shift or don't come back at all. The next day I was on the phone with Pat and never darkened Rite Aid's doorways again. I left journalism just a couple of years ago, and that 45 minutes on the phone with Pat were the best 45 minutes of my entire career.
wrote on April 15, 2023
at
8:37 pm
I just read your story in Southern Living about Fripp Island. My beloved husband recently died tragically in a helicopter accident. You said you could not go back to Fripp after he died. I am going through all those feelings myself. Life can be so unfair!
wrote on March 29, 2023
at
4:19 pm
I have just finished reading THE SUNDAY Wife. Wow! Where should I begin!? Your plot twists and turns that I did not see coming... your believable dialogue... your prose with all its metaphors and similes... kept me turning pages. Thank you for giving me such a memorable read... suspense and surprise all dressed up in clerical garb.
P.S. I also enjoyed your article about Fripp Island in the current issue of SOUTHERN LIVING. Figure I should go there on my next trip down Beaufort way.
P.S. I also enjoyed your article about Fripp Island in the current issue of SOUTHERN LIVING. Figure I should go there on my next trip down Beaufort way.
wrote on January 13, 2023
at
12:54 am
I just finished listening to Tell Me a Story and drying my eyes. Pat is one of my favorite authors ever, so I loved learning more about him as a person and a husband.
I met him at a book signing in Atlanta for Beach Music, and he was so gracious. He had been signing books for 2+ hours when I got to him, but he still had time and energy to ask me what I did for a living (high school English teacher just a few years into my career) and chat so kindly about it.
I wrote an essay about teaching that was published at the end of the anniversary edition trade paperback of The Water Is Wide that was released around 2008 or 2009, resulting from a serendipitous chain of events when one of my students wrote to Pat and received a response from Marly Rusoff.
Your beautiful but realistic descriptions of Pat’s final days reminded me of my father’s passing last March (lots of ugly crying there). I’m so glad that you found happiness with each other. Thank you for telling us this story.
I met him at a book signing in Atlanta for Beach Music, and he was so gracious. He had been signing books for 2+ hours when I got to him, but he still had time and energy to ask me what I did for a living (high school English teacher just a few years into my career) and chat so kindly about it.
I wrote an essay about teaching that was published at the end of the anniversary edition trade paperback of The Water Is Wide that was released around 2008 or 2009, resulting from a serendipitous chain of events when one of my students wrote to Pat and received a response from Marly Rusoff.
Your beautiful but realistic descriptions of Pat’s final days reminded me of my father’s passing last March (lots of ugly crying there). I’m so glad that you found happiness with each other. Thank you for telling us this story.
wrote on December 28, 2022
at
12:05 pm
Hello again. Now that I have finished reading TELL ME A STORY, I want to thank you for your captivating narrative about your life with Pat Conroy.
As I have told you, I find your writing to be so relatable. For example, your comments about Doug Marlette caused me to recall having heard him speak during the days of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and PTL, Senators Jesse Helms and John East. Furthermore, having read some of Rick Bragg's books and his Southern Living Magazine articles, seemed I could see him barreling onto his mother's driveway. Then, I thought I heard him speak with his words all wrapped up in that Alabama drawl of his. Thank you.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
David
As I have told you, I find your writing to be so relatable. For example, your comments about Doug Marlette caused me to recall having heard him speak during the days of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and PTL, Senators Jesse Helms and John East. Furthermore, having read some of Rick Bragg's books and his Southern Living Magazine articles, seemed I could see him barreling onto his mother's driveway. Then, I thought I heard him speak with his words all wrapped up in that Alabama drawl of his. Thank you.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
David
wrote on December 23, 2022
at
4:15 pm
Dearest Cassandra, I too am one of the adoring acolytes kneeling at the feet of this fabulous capturer of the English language. There is no thanks large enough to thank you for completing this portion of his/your tale and now I have two of you to love. (My family found me in the bathroom doubled over with laughter at Bernie and Pat’s search and rescue ride for you!) my husband found me a little later sobbing, again, over the end. as a retired Episcopal priest of some 36 years, the Angel and the Bridge will stay with me for the rest of my life. I give thanks for your marvelous spirit and prayers for a beautiful 2023. The Rev. Liz Goodyear Jones
wrote on November 22, 2022
at
4:47 pm
Thank you, again, for signing your books for me during this year's Seventh Annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival. As you may recall, you signed one of THE SUNDAY WIFE copies and addressed it to the widow of the preacher who performed the marriage ceremony for my wife and me. Her immediate reaction after reading the first few pages: "Oh lordy...I'm beginning to have flashbacks". Then, yesterday, she wrote: Just finished the novel...and I'm exhausted! Didn't want it to end...King certainly knows how to write a page turner!! So relieved it ended the way it did. Thank you for thinking of me..."
Just thought you'd like to know my widow friend's comments. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you.
Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.
David
Just thought you'd like to know my widow friend's comments. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you.
Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.
David
wrote on November 14, 2022
at
8:31 am
COVID finally found me, and gave me the gift of time to read “Tell me a story”. I could not put it down.
Westerners, we discovered Hunting Island when my husband was at school at Clemson in the 80’s. After that happy accident our small family spent Christmas every other year on the island. It was a magical place for us, and as did you we decorated with palmetto and ate low country boil. The inevitable finally happened, our rental home washed away leaving only scatterings of foundation at the end of a now dead end road and a rusty, sand blasted coat hook we found while walking the beach the year after the sea took “Driftwood”.
That darn coat hook is one of our most precious possessions. Your walk along the shore finding “sand dollar spit”so resonated with me, those feelings of wonder tinged with a little loneliness. Of course a visit to the island included a stack of Conroy novels. During those visits we were aware that the Conroys were one island away, but alas although I heard Pat stories all over Beaufort no sightings.
Your memoir was a beautiful story of how two strong personalities can live a loving, respectful, creative, and joyful life together. Thank you for sharing stories of your life, and for filling in the gaps as we looked over at Fripp and thought “I wonder what the Conroys are doing”.
The library tells me I now have a stack of Cassandra King novels on hold. I cannot wait to dive into your stories.
Westerners, we discovered Hunting Island when my husband was at school at Clemson in the 80’s. After that happy accident our small family spent Christmas every other year on the island. It was a magical place for us, and as did you we decorated with palmetto and ate low country boil. The inevitable finally happened, our rental home washed away leaving only scatterings of foundation at the end of a now dead end road and a rusty, sand blasted coat hook we found while walking the beach the year after the sea took “Driftwood”.
That darn coat hook is one of our most precious possessions. Your walk along the shore finding “sand dollar spit”so resonated with me, those feelings of wonder tinged with a little loneliness. Of course a visit to the island included a stack of Conroy novels. During those visits we were aware that the Conroys were one island away, but alas although I heard Pat stories all over Beaufort no sightings.
Your memoir was a beautiful story of how two strong personalities can live a loving, respectful, creative, and joyful life together. Thank you for sharing stories of your life, and for filling in the gaps as we looked over at Fripp and thought “I wonder what the Conroys are doing”.
The library tells me I now have a stack of Cassandra King novels on hold. I cannot wait to dive into your stories.
wrote on August 31, 2022
at
2:42 pm
Hello! I just wanted you to know that I have all of your books and have loved them all but I think my favorite is Tell Me A Story. I was wondering if you are working on another novel and if so, when will it be released?
wrote on June 11, 2022
at
10:20 pm
I have so enjoyed so many of your books and your husband's books. Thank you for the book about your life together. I cried when he passed and the golden bridge again thank you for sharing .
wrote on May 16, 2022
at
10:04 pm
OMG I had NO idea my favorite author's wife would become one of my favorites too!! I CANNOT put your books down. Just read Tell Me a Story and Sunday Wife. About to start Same Sweet Girls.
That you EVER questioned your talent is mind boggling. You belong in the company of Anne Rivers Siddons, Dorothea Benton Frank and the greatest of all Pat Conroy. I'm always sad when I finish one of your books.
To discover such a great writer at this time of my life is such a joy. I thank you and so do my friends because they'll be getting your books for Christmas and birthdays.
That you EVER questioned your talent is mind boggling. You belong in the company of Anne Rivers Siddons, Dorothea Benton Frank and the greatest of all Pat Conroy. I'm always sad when I finish one of your books.
To discover such a great writer at this time of my life is such a joy. I thank you and so do my friends because they'll be getting your books for Christmas and birthdays.
Admin Reply by: Michael Radulescu
How wonderful, this is Mihai Radulescu Cassandra's agent thanking you from the bottom of my heart...
wrote on March 29, 2022
at
12:33 pm
Just read The Sunday Wife. My first time reading one of your books. Loved it. Yea for Willabean to get out from under the preacher. But, oh how she struggled with her conscience. Being introduced to Augusta brought about significant changes for Dean. This book will stay with me for days. I do love the way you write. So real. You draw your reader into those characters. Can't quite explain it. I'm looking forward to more. Thank you for sharing your gift.
wrote on February 8, 2022
at
8:16 am
Hello Cassandra,
I finished “Tell me a Story”last night, it was my book club’s January selection! What a good read it was, our whole club enjoyed it. I was a bit late finishing it due to some outpatient surgery. Having lived in Beaufort with my parents in the early 60’s I really enjoyed hearing about you & Pat living on Fripp (which was uninhabited when I was there).
My mother and I read most of Pat’s early books as they came out, The Water is Wide & Prince of Tides being favorites. My dad was a CPA and my parents rented a ranch house near Spanish Pointe if I remember correctly? I attended Beaufort Academy in its early days and Beaufort elementary. Our favorite crabbing spot was on Hunting Is and you could see Fripp Is in the distance, no bridge at that time.
Thank you for the memories and for your memoir of your life with Pat. One last note, I visited the Penn Center in 2008 and walked the grounds, such a peaceful beautiful spot 💕
Good luck with your author weekend in March.
All the best to you,
Theresa Keller
I finished “Tell me a Story”last night, it was my book club’s January selection! What a good read it was, our whole club enjoyed it. I was a bit late finishing it due to some outpatient surgery. Having lived in Beaufort with my parents in the early 60’s I really enjoyed hearing about you & Pat living on Fripp (which was uninhabited when I was there).
My mother and I read most of Pat’s early books as they came out, The Water is Wide & Prince of Tides being favorites. My dad was a CPA and my parents rented a ranch house near Spanish Pointe if I remember correctly? I attended Beaufort Academy in its early days and Beaufort elementary. Our favorite crabbing spot was on Hunting Is and you could see Fripp Is in the distance, no bridge at that time.
Thank you for the memories and for your memoir of your life with Pat. One last note, I visited the Penn Center in 2008 and walked the grounds, such a peaceful beautiful spot 💕
Good luck with your author weekend in March.
All the best to you,
Theresa Keller
wrote on January 31, 2022
at
8:04 pm
Cassandra, I truly believe there has not been another book that has captured my undivided attention as your book "Tell Me A Story".
Although I have been visiting the Beaufort area for 20+ years on Harbor Island, this is my first trip to Fripp Island. I visited the Pat Conroy Literacy Museum last week with the Fripp Island Ladies Group. Purchasing your book seemed only fitting.
I don't know if it was love of the area or being on Fripp for the first time, but your book and the way you put your story into words has made my stay even more magical. As I'm reading your book, between the laughter and the tears, I could picture the two of you here walking the beach or watching the same sunrise/sunset as myself. I saw two very public people as "ordinary" very much in love every day people.
I felt every triumph and every pain in each word you wrote. You were so very fortunate to find the love of your life and to share such an extraordinary time together. There is a paragraph in which you describe Fripp...I have marked that page because I could not describe it nearly as beautiful as you when trying to tell my family back home this beautiful little island I am lucky enough to be spending the winter on. While reading your book I went online to further research and acquaint myself with the incredible life of your husband and yourself. Two years ago I had the opportunity to visit the grave site and was so taken with all the wonderful tributes people left at the site in remembrance of your husband. It was extremely moving and very touching. Thank you for sharing your life story. I look forward to reading more of your stories. Moonrise is my next book. May you find comfort in knowing your readers truly wish you peace and comfort and continue to find stories worth telling.
Although I have been visiting the Beaufort area for 20+ years on Harbor Island, this is my first trip to Fripp Island. I visited the Pat Conroy Literacy Museum last week with the Fripp Island Ladies Group. Purchasing your book seemed only fitting.
I don't know if it was love of the area or being on Fripp for the first time, but your book and the way you put your story into words has made my stay even more magical. As I'm reading your book, between the laughter and the tears, I could picture the two of you here walking the beach or watching the same sunrise/sunset as myself. I saw two very public people as "ordinary" very much in love every day people.
I felt every triumph and every pain in each word you wrote. You were so very fortunate to find the love of your life and to share such an extraordinary time together. There is a paragraph in which you describe Fripp...I have marked that page because I could not describe it nearly as beautiful as you when trying to tell my family back home this beautiful little island I am lucky enough to be spending the winter on. While reading your book I went online to further research and acquaint myself with the incredible life of your husband and yourself. Two years ago I had the opportunity to visit the grave site and was so taken with all the wonderful tributes people left at the site in remembrance of your husband. It was extremely moving and very touching. Thank you for sharing your life story. I look forward to reading more of your stories. Moonrise is my next book. May you find comfort in knowing your readers truly wish you peace and comfort and continue to find stories worth telling.
wrote on January 14, 2022
at
6:43 pm
I just finished Tell Me A Story. It was a story that could only be told by someone who loved another so much and who was loved and respected in return.
Thank you for saying so many things at the end were hazy or unremembered and that most times fear was the most dominant emotion. I lost my beautiful husband two years ago to leukemia. Diagnosed just after retirement. It was to be our time but was not to be. I remember crawling beside him into his hospital bed one night too when he couldn’t be calmed.
After crawling in to hold him we both slept for a time. Such precious memories we widows have. Thank you for reminding me to go there on sleepless nights. I’ve loved all your books but I know I love this one best. Again, thank you.
Thank you for saying so many things at the end were hazy or unremembered and that most times fear was the most dominant emotion. I lost my beautiful husband two years ago to leukemia. Diagnosed just after retirement. It was to be our time but was not to be. I remember crawling beside him into his hospital bed one night too when he couldn’t be calmed.
After crawling in to hold him we both slept for a time. Such precious memories we widows have. Thank you for reminding me to go there on sleepless nights. I’ve loved all your books but I know I love this one best. Again, thank you.
Admin Reply by: Michael Radulescu
Pat, this is Mihai Radulescu, Cassandra's agent and friend. As you see she cannot attend to these messages... but I assure you she reads them. This is the first one answered here in this guest book, by me....
I could not hold my tears and my overwhelming feelings so I decided to write these few words to you... thank you for liking the memoir and most of all thank you for sharing such personal and heart breaking message with us. The memory of your words and of your love you shared with your husband is something I will not soon forget.
I could not hold my tears and my overwhelming feelings so I decided to write these few words to you... thank you for liking the memoir and most of all thank you for sharing such personal and heart breaking message with us. The memory of your words and of your love you shared with your husband is something I will not soon forget.
wrote on January 10, 2022
at
10:24 pm
I am writing to thank you for your beautiful memoir, Tell Me a Story. I've had the book sitting on my shelf for quite some time, but postponed reading it because, well, I know how the story ends. I am a hospice chaplain, so one might think I would be prepared for such, but like so very many others, I've been one of Pat's fans for a long time and my heart broke when we lost him. When I read about the mystery nurse and the golden bridge, it made every tear leading up to that point worth it. I know these things happen and I am so thankful that you and your family were given this gift of pure grace.
In 1995, I taught at a girls prison for SC DJJ. One of my students was from Fripp Island. I told her that Pat was my favorite author and she replied, I love Pat. He's the best!; A few weeks later after a parent weekend visitation, my student presented me with a postcard with a short note. Thanks for taking care of my friend, (name redacted). Great love, Pat Conroy.
In 1995, I taught at a girls prison for SC DJJ. One of my students was from Fripp Island. I told her that Pat was my favorite author and she replied, I love Pat. He's the best!; A few weeks later after a parent weekend visitation, my student presented me with a postcard with a short note. Thanks for taking care of my friend, (name redacted). Great love, Pat Conroy.
