A review by brig_berthold
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Plot was all over the place. The character work was nicely done. Racism, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry were commonplace in the South circa 1963 but the line between historical authenticity and over indulgence is crossed in this novel. If that’s not enough, there is a disgusting, latent, “psycho-sexual” (as one of the characters labels it) incestuousness that never materializes beyond verbal but remains deplorable.

This is said to be semi-autobiographical. If that’s the case, I wonder where the embellishments are. 
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