Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an interesting one for me, as it took me so long to finish reading it, but I enjoyed the process of reading it, but also I don't know if I liked the book. It held my interest but I'm not sure that I liked it doing that. It is distinctive in the fact that it didn't seem like there was a throughline of meanings or themes. Just rather a series of moments from this family's and broader connections life. While the characters certainly went through a lot, I don't know if they changed very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pat Conroy’s The Great Santini is a deeply moving and complex novel that delves into the turbulent life of a military family under the authoritarian rule of Marine fighter pilot Colonel Bull Meecham, known as "The Great Santini." Conroy's writing is both evocative and poignant, capturing the intensity of the characters' emotions and the intricacies of their relationships with great skill.
On the positive side, Conroy excels in creating multifaceted characters and a richly detailed setting. The novel’s portrayal of Bull Meecham is particularly compelling. Bull is a force of nature, whose domineering and abusive behavior is both terrifying and fascinating. Conroy’s ability to present Bull’s rare moments of vulnerability alongside his relentless harshness adds depth to his character, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain. This complexity is mirrored in the other characters, especially Ben, Bull’s son, who grapples with both admiration and fear for his father.
However, the novel’s handling of racism is more problematic. Conroy goes beyond simply portraying the characters as ignorant; he embeds their racist attitudes deeply into their identities, reflecting the pervasive and insidious nature of racism in the society they inhabit. While this realism adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, it also makes for uncomfortable reading. The frequent and intense depictions of racist behavior and language can be overwhelming, and at times, it feels as though the book fails to adequately critique or contextualize this racism. This can leave readers struggling to reconcile the characters' prejudices with their other, more redeeming qualities.
Moreover, while the summary of the book suggests that readers will start by hating Bull and eventually grow to love him, this emotional journey is not straightforward. Bull’s moments of tenderness are fleeting and often overshadowed by his relentless cruelty and bigotry. For many readers, these brief glimpses into his softer side are insufficient to fully redeem him. The struggle to grow to love Bull, as promised by the summary, can feel forced and unconvincing, given the extent of his abusive behavior and the harm he causes to those around him.
In conclusion, The Great Santini is a powerful and well-crafted novel that offers a vivid portrayal of a military family’s struggles. Conroy’s ability to create complex, realistic characters is commendable, but the novel’s treatment of racism and the problematic redemption arc of Bull Meecham may leave readers conflicted. While the novel succeeds in making readers understand Bull, it falls short of making them love him, resulting in a story that is both compelling and troubling.
3.5/5 stars
On the positive side, Conroy excels in creating multifaceted characters and a richly detailed setting. The novel’s portrayal of Bull Meecham is particularly compelling. Bull is a force of nature, whose domineering and abusive behavior is both terrifying and fascinating. Conroy’s ability to present Bull’s rare moments of vulnerability alongside his relentless harshness adds depth to his character, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain. This complexity is mirrored in the other characters, especially Ben, Bull’s son, who grapples with both admiration and fear for his father.
However, the novel’s handling of racism is more problematic. Conroy goes beyond simply portraying the characters as ignorant; he embeds their racist attitudes deeply into their identities, reflecting the pervasive and insidious nature of racism in the society they inhabit. While this realism adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, it also makes for uncomfortable reading. The frequent and intense depictions of racist behavior and language can be overwhelming, and at times, it feels as though the book fails to adequately critique or contextualize this racism. This can leave readers struggling to reconcile the characters' prejudices with their other, more redeeming qualities.
Moreover, while the summary of the book suggests that readers will start by hating Bull and eventually grow to love him, this emotional journey is not straightforward. Bull’s moments of tenderness are fleeting and often overshadowed by his relentless cruelty and bigotry. For many readers, these brief glimpses into his softer side are insufficient to fully redeem him. The struggle to grow to love Bull, as promised by the summary, can feel forced and unconvincing, given the extent of his abusive behavior and the harm he causes to those around him.
In conclusion, The Great Santini is a powerful and well-crafted novel that offers a vivid portrayal of a military family’s struggles. Conroy’s ability to create complex, realistic characters is commendable, but the novel’s treatment of racism and the problematic redemption arc of Bull Meecham may leave readers conflicted. While the novel succeeds in making readers understand Bull, it falls short of making them love him, resulting in a story that is both compelling and troubling.
3.5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The great dysfunctional dad novel. If you like your childhood fucked up and your dad's meaner than spit, read this book. I've always loved it.
This book is gorgeously written, but like most books by Conroy, waits until you're in love with each character to shake you by the scruff of the neck. My daughter put it best: "You're just reading along, having a wonderful time, and then everything goes to shit." Yeah. Worth it, but yeah. (God, I'm going to miss him.)
Another great Conroy novel. Not as emotionally charged as The Prince of Tides. He somehow makes Bull Meechum a likable character. Lots of humor and witty characters.
Lt Col Bull Meecham is a Marine fighter pilot – No – he is the GREATEST Marine Fighter Pilot. Just ask his family or any of the men serving under him. This novel gives us a glimpse of one Marine’s family. Lillian is the gentle, Southern-born wife who tempers her husband’s erratic drive with a cool, steady demeanor. She is the buffer between Bull and their children. But as their first-born, Ben, moves toward high school graduation, he is increasingly at odds with his father. No matter how he excels – at sports or academics – it is never good enough to please the Colonel.
I really disliked Bull and yet I really liked the novel. Conroy completely drew me into this dysfunctional family and their complicated relationships. I loved the way he gave us insight into his characters by showing us examples of their strengths and weaknesses: Ben one-on-one against his father shooting baskets in the driveway; Mary Anne masking her pain with a smart retort; Bull coming to Ben’s defense against the town bullies; Lillian pleading with Ben to bring his father home.
As much as I disliked Bull, I grew to love Ben. He is a sensitive boy, growing to manhood, and he is able to glean the good lessons from his father – loyalty to your family and friends, championing the weak, hard work and never giving up – and recognize the poor example as well, vowing to never be like his father in those ways.
The person I was most infuriated with was Lillian. Her blind devotion to the man she married – or the man she hoped he was – drove me crazy. Even when confronted with specific evidence she refused to see how harmful Bull’s behavior was to her and her children.
I have had Pat Conroy on my reading radar for a long time, but never read any of his novels before this. I’m certain this won’t be my last Conroy work.
I really disliked Bull and yet I really liked the novel. Conroy completely drew me into this dysfunctional family and their complicated relationships. I loved the way he gave us insight into his characters by showing us examples of their strengths and weaknesses: Ben one-on-one against his father shooting baskets in the driveway; Mary Anne masking her pain with a smart retort; Bull coming to Ben’s defense against the town bullies; Lillian pleading with Ben to bring his father home.
As much as I disliked Bull, I grew to love Ben. He is a sensitive boy, growing to manhood, and he is able to glean the good lessons from his father – loyalty to your family and friends, championing the weak, hard work and never giving up – and recognize the poor example as well, vowing to never be like his father in those ways.
The person I was most infuriated with was Lillian. Her blind devotion to the man she married – or the man she hoped he was – drove me crazy. Even when confronted with specific evidence she refused to see how harmful Bull’s behavior was to her and her children.
I have had Pat Conroy on my reading radar for a long time, but never read any of his novels before this. I’m certain this won’t be my last Conroy work.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated