Leopard Bloom King is an awkward, ugly 18-year-old with few friends. His life has been a mess ever since his brother, Stephen, killed himself at only ten years old. After spending years in mental institutions and later caught with cocaine in his pocket, Leo’s life has been anything but normal. In the summer before his senior year of high school, he meets the people who will influence the rest of his life, forming friendships and bonds that will prove stronger than anything Leo has known previously. Years later, their friendship will remain of primary importance to Leo as he and they must endure extraordinary hardships brought on by nature, the human mind, and a terrible disease.
My only previous experience with Pat Conroy was The Water Is Wide, a memoir that I just adored in high school, and I’ve meant to read more by him ever since. So when I opened this book, it was with a great deal of anticipation. And I enjoyed this story; the beginning feels slow and meandering, accustoming readers to the feel and the flow of South Carolina and the beginning of teenage friendships that are meant to last. The second section is more exciting and begins to encompass the troubles that these friendships have wrought even as they have brought blessings. The third section gives us another peek into the origin of the group, and the final section includes their pivotal struggle against a madman and a hurricane.
The story is indeed big and sprawling as the back cover promises, but I still wanted more. Largely, I wanted more of the origins of these friendships. I still found it hard to understand why they all coped with Chad, a member of the arrogant Southern aristocracy determined to put everyone down, or some of the other members of the group. I saw how they came together, but I suppose I didn’t understand how it lasted for all of the members of this group. Their conversations were entertaining, but rang somewhat untrue for me, and I just couldn’t believe anyone like Sheba Poe actually existed. Who stage manages their entry into a house party of close friends? The later sections were powerful, but without that essential basis, at times I couldn’t believe in the story.
And that’s a shame, because the story is quite a wild ride through almost every issue you can name. The friends go in search of a missing member of the group and have to deal with death, rape, adultery, and murder among their ranks. They even have a natural disaster pitted against them. The book resonates with the strength and feel of Charleston, a place I’ve never been to but would quite like to visit now. Conroy is an excellent writer and can make the words on the page simply come alive, even as he packs the story full with almost too much trauma.
South of Broad is a good book that, I think, has unfortunately missed being great. Still, I am encouraged to read more of Conroy’s works, as I think he is an excellent writer and is still worth my time.
I am an Amazon Associate. I received this book for free from the publisher for review here.
I am ashamed to say that I have not yet read any of Pat Conroy’s works, but I have been told that I really must read The Prince of Tides at some point. It is definitely on that ever-growing TBR pile.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Meghan, and a joyous New Year! I very much look forward to reading more of your reviews in 2010.
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Gingerbread Houses =-.
I haven’t read this one yet, but I have loved most of his books!
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Book Club Exchange – Sam of Aaron’s Books =-.
I’m with Molly — I actually haven’t read any of Conroy’s books. I’ll have to correct that one of these days, but I may start with a different book.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Thursday Tea: Graceling by Kristin Cashore =-.
I haven’t read anything by Conroy, although I’ve heard good things about some of his books. I am sorry this one didn’t quite live up to expectation. Hopefully the next book you read by him will.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens =-.
I’m a fan of Conroy’s work, so I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed to see that this one’s not great. I’ll give it a try anyway!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Evening’s Empire =-.
I’m glad you posted this review because I have been meaning to read this. I have it and with being on vacation, I think I will read this next. I love Conroy. Thanks.
.-= Wisteria Leigh´s last blog ..Christmas Day =-.
Good review Meghan. But with all of the other chunky books at my disposal, I’ll let this one pass. Thanks.
.-= jennygirl´s last blog ..Review: Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen =-.
I have loved many of Conroy’s books and have been looking forward to reading a review of this one. It sounds like this might be my cup of tea, despite some of the plot contrivances. Great review! I am sorry this book was not a total favorite for you though.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Company of Liars by Karen Maitland – 480 pgs =-.
Great review! I’m linking to it on mine.
Sarah´s last post …Book Review- Tell Me About Orchard Hollow