South of Broad

South of Broad is the latest offering from Pat Conroy, the author who has given us The Great Santini, Prince of Tides, and the Lords of Discipline. This book was released in the spring of 2009

Th story is centered on a Charleston columnist Leopold Bloom King. The columnist is named for his mothers favorite character in the James Joyce novel Ulysses. Beginning with completion of a probationary period, Leo brings together a group of eight that includes upper crust snobs, black athletes, and orphans, all seniors together in the first year of integration at a Charleston high school. The group has its high school trials and triumphs all go into the world and become a diverse group of adults.  Twenty years later the group is still close and the gay brother of Sheba, Trevor is missing somewhere in San Francisco. From here story becomes more of  Conroy adventure.   The brother is saved from an absurd ex-NFL football player. After bringing Trevor home the group is savaged by hurricane Hugo.  All survive the storm, but one doesn't make it through the next week.

If you are a fan of Pat Conroy, this book is a must read.  For the rest of you I would suggest a pass, start with some of the better established novels such as Beach Music.

Later.

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