Do you have comments about my books or other comments you want to share with other people? Please use this guestbook.
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…
I was particularly moved by your final chapters. I lost my sister to cancer a month and a half before Pat passed and your writing truly touched me. I am sure that you were visited by an angel and was given proof this morning when I looked at my Apple Watch my sister's picture popped up! She was letting me know she was ok just as I know Pat is!
Thank you so much for helping to ease my pain through your words! I look forward to reading your other works.
I finished your marvelous book yesterday and watched your Facebook Live today. I feel like I’ve gotten to know you so well!
My husband and I actually visited the cemetery a short time after Pat’s passing. When we arrived there was a small group gathered near the beautiful headstone. I felt like we were imposing, so we walked a distance away to give them some privacy.
I couldn’t believe it when a young woman came up to me and said “I’m Pat’s daughter, Jessica, and he would love that you are here.” She also explained about Arabelle Watson as you did in the book. I won’t ever forget that day. I felt so privileged to pay my respects to my favorite writer and meet his daughter. Thank you for writing your memoir and sharing so much of your life with us. It was so moving and memorable. I will look forward now to reading your other books and of course those to come. All my best to you from Connecticut to lovely Beaufort .
Rosemary Coronna
Denise
I am re-reading The Sunday Wife and Same Sweet Girls next. What an amazing man your husband was! I'm so thankful that you were in his life and brought such peace and joy to him. (I am also thankful that you are such a gifted writer and wrote this book to let readers like myself into the life that you shared.) I am a SC girl now living in Louisiana but hope to get back to my home state when my husband retires.
Meanwhile, I appreciate the many SC authors (especially the female ones) who enable me to escape in their writing. I know that you and Pat have had a major part in the success of these incredible authors. Thank you for enhancing my life and the lives of many others!
We just got back from a one month stay on Fripp Island (February). Thanks to Pat, we fell in love with the Low Country. We stayed in the Fiddlers Cove area. During our stay on this beautiful island we visited the house you stayed at with Pat on the island. We also visited Pat's grave and the Penn Center on St. Helena's Island. My wife and I just finished your memoir, "Tell Me a Story", such a wonderful story, thank you for sharing your life with Pat.
Thank you for your wonderful book. I laughed and cried. Such a personal journey and I am grateful to have shared parts of your life. I have loved reading Pat's books (came to know you as an author as well).
Before he passed, I was set to send a letter to him thanking him. Having lived some of the characters he was able to beautifully express the heartbreak and hope. Especially for how he was raised and how it affected his adult life. He gave insight into his own life and gifts.
I believe Pat Conroy - wrote across your heart, then tucked your spirit inside his pocket for safekeeping, on his walk home. I wish you a healed heart and joy to remember all your moments with your love and years together. You were both so blessed to have found each other. Thank you so much for including so many, I wish you well.
Be well and happy. Continue writing!
Lisa (Toronto, On. Canada)
What a loving way to remember your husband. I just finished reading and fell in love with you and your book, Tell me a Story. I love your writing and how well you told your story. I laughed and I cried.
Hope you have more to come like this one.
Thank you for coming to the Timrod Library in Summerville SC... cant wait to see you again!
Keep up the wonderful writing!!
My wife and I have lost 5 parents and several close friends (including my best friend who reminds me of Bernie) and your story touches a very real nerve. But your final paragraph about devastation, destruction and beauty leave me with a beautiful philosophy that will carry me onward. It should be made into a poster. What a great summation of the ultimate "story!" Thank you!
As we started to leave, I picked it up again and told my husband, I'm getting this. That night, I started reading and was gripped. I was pleasantly surprised to find out you taught at our Alma Mater, Montevallo! My husband, Drew, actually had you for a class! As you moved to Gadsden, I knew it well too. As my dad retired from Goodyear and Gadsden was our weekend stomping ground. All that to say, wow, when I finished the book and had a good cry, I felt like I knew Pat Conroy, and I'm sorry to say, I didn't know him before I read this book. Sure, I'd heard of "The Prince of Tides", but never saw the movie or read the book.
What an amazing story and so well told. I laughed, I cried, I related. I had a clear mental picture in my mind of what was happening. This was such a wonderful read and I enjoyed it so much. Thank you and God bless.
Two weeks ago, I saw a poster in our Venice, FL, library promoting a talk you were giving the next day in North Port. There was no way we could make it, but I ordered “Tell Me A Story” thinking my husband would love it. Instead, I started turning the pages and never stopped. The hours I spent with you and Pat through the pages of the book were so wonderful. I feel like a know you and that if I really did, we could be friends.
I watch a Blue Heron look for his breakfast every morning on the waterway in front of my condo. Birds are my thing. I love your sense of humor. My granddaughter goes to Samford and ironically, we have been planning a trip for spring to Beaufort.
But, one of the things I really enjoyed were the stories about the Siddons. Many years ago, I went to a Tri Delta Convention. I had never heard of Anne, but she was the key speaker. I loved her line about being afraid to show up for fear the officers would take her DDD pin away after reading her book. I started reading every book of Anne’s and I knew she and Pat were friends. But, I Also enjoyed your friendship with her... A bonus for me in reading your book.
Now I need to start reading all of your books. I am so lucky to have stumbled on the poster so that I could find another favorite author. “Tell Me A Story” is so special!!!
I took both, even though I was alone. I waited until after everyone had gone to speak to him and we talked for about 15 Min. A year or so later I was headed to Hilton Head for a golf outing (I'd gone to Charleston a few days early to enjoy the food) when I stopped in Beaufort on Saturday for lunch.
He's sitting at the table close to where I'm being put, looks at me, and says, "Knoxville, you're from Knoxville" and invited me to join him. Perhaps the best hour I ever spent, or so I thought, until I ran into him in Highlands, "Knoxville, come here..." Pat Conroy is my favorite American author, dethroning Steinbeck.
Tell Me A Story is like reading someone's diary about a friend. Damned Fine Job!
As I began a job at the Lexington, S. C. library years ago (I am retired now) one of the first books I read was "The Sunday Wife." I LOVED that book and would always recommend it to all of my friends! After that, I read others by you but sadly I have never read any by Pat. I knew you were going to be at the Lexington library about two weeks ago, so I couldn't wait to come to hear you tell about your latest book "Tell Me A Story". Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk with you that day... others were crowded around you and so I didn't wait but I enjoyed hearing and seeing you in person. I just finished Tell Me A Story and it was amazing!
Now, I have been inspired to read the ones that he wrote. What a wonderful story of your lives together.
I know it must be very enjoyable to write and that is truly a gift! We, the readers of the world, feel as much joy reading the books that you and others write and I, for one, am so grateful to read the stories that are written. They take me to places that I could never actually go and give me glimpses of the lives of people that I admire and aspire to. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write the books that engage and inspire us!! Keep writing! We'll be waiting for the next... and the next!
Happy New Year and safe travels as you continue your book tour!!