In the fall of 2011, I wrote a blog post on the books I had been reading by Pat Conroy. On that post I also linked to Pat Conroy's then recently created blog, where, under the heading, "My Blogging Life," he announced that he was at work on a new book, The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son. The book, published October 29, 2013 is a memoir, and a sequel to the fiction work, The Great Santini.

This long awaited memoir shows through the writing and reliving of some of the physical and mental abuse endured by the Conroy family that Pat Conroy had long forgiven his father, Don Conroy. This obituary in the New York Times commends Don Conroy, the decorated Marine fighter pilot, but also exposes the domestic abuse he imposed on his family.

There are moments in this memoir that brought me to near tears, but there are other moments that brought me to laughter. Pat Conroy readers get to find out what life-situations surrounded the writing of his fiction works. We also get to see how much he adored both his parents, and how he lovingly took care of each during their respective terminal illnesses.

Here are some recent reviews: The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Star Tribune.