The Water Is Wide: A Memoir

It was good in the beginning but kind of got bogged down after that.

This book was recommended by Marcia R. It is a memoir of the author's 2 year stint as a young teacher in a single schoolhouse on an island off of South Carolina in the early 1970's. The students are descendants of black slaves and their previous years of education have not even provided them with the basics needed to function in society. Conroy tries valiantly to make an impact and...more

This book was recommended by Marcia R. It is a memoir of the author's 2 year stint as a young teacher in a single schoolhouse on an island off of South Carolina in the early 1970's. The students are descendants of black slaves and their previous years of education have not even provided them with the basics needed to function in society. Conroy tries valiantly to make an impact and manages to change the lives of the islanders as well as his own.   hide

Great book!

this was not the best of his work... although all of us lowcountry girls can certainly understand the need for him to write about the south and its public education.

A pretty decent, quick read. Nothing stunning, but an interesting little portrait of the island children.

Conroy's first book, an easy read. Non fiction about Conroy's first year out of college as a teacher.

One of the most powerful books I have ever read. Pat Conroy is a genus.

This is beautifully written, masterfully described, and thoughtfully executed. I felt like I was on that island. I kept my dictionary by my side while reading; the unique vocabulary was a welcome treat for an English teacher.

Again, a book about one of my favorite places. The South Carolina barrier islands. This novel shows the difficulties of a young teacher trying to share his knowledge with the poor black children of a SC barrier island. He takes his small boat to the island each day and builds a relationship with the "forgotten children" of this island.