The story was good, however the style of writing was dry and slow. It was very angry, repetitive, and I found myself putting it down and not picking it back up for days. However when I did pick it up the story haunted me and kept me thinking about all that happened. The writing irritated me however the several stories within this book had me entranced. Had it not been a library book with a deadline for it to be returned I'm not sure I would have finished reading. But I am so glad I stayed up well into the night to finish it to the end.

The women were portrayed as vain and weak, expect when it came to something they were passionate about - then they were ready to kick some major butt. ( )

Audiobook. Ambitious novel. I had recently read My Revolution. This is also about coming to grips with 60s and Vietnam as one approaches getting older. This one also throws in the Red Brigade and the Holocaust. Nothing if not nervy. This books is definitely more interested in the male characters. The females are male fantasies. But this was an interesting read. Finished on a road trip. ( )

poetic and beautiful writing; intriguing cast of characters; and an amazing plot. i skipped the last few chapters but overall this book was wonderful! ( )

Narrated by Frank Muller, this is one of the finest audiobooks I've ever heard. ( )

Loved this book - hope to find the time to reread it some day. ( )

Reading for the 3rd time....a complete joy to read! ( )

Beach Music is one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I love Pat Conroy's descriptions and how all of the story lines work together. ( )

http://barbaricyawp.blogspot.com/2004... ( )

Amazing book! I love a book that provides so much detail I can practically visualize the area described. This book was fantastically written.

I've read this book several times, which is astounding given the length of it. Conroy's descriptions of his life in Italy inspired me to take a very memorable trip to Rome to see it for myself. His descriptions of the south are just as vivid - turn a page and smell the sea salt. A wonderful, complicated, heartbreaking tale - you can lose yourself totally in the pages. ( )

Beach Music is an excellent book. It includes vivid descriptions of a wide variety of settings including appalling ones like the brutal Appalachia out back and a horrific Holocaust concentration camp as well as pleasant ones like the urban beauty of Rome and the natural beauty of costal areas of the American south. Truth be told, this book has so much in it, that in my mind I can't imagine that it was all part of the same book. He could have made at least five books out ot it.

I read it about four years ago and many of these diverse elements linger in my memory. It takes brilliant writing to bring so much together and keep it together within the framework of a coherent story. ( )

Such a beautiful story of family, food, rich and wonderful cultures, dysfunction, relationships, parenting, utter sadness and love. This book left me wanting more and considering starting over and reading it again. ( )

I had a stack of books to read and put this off until last because I didn't think I would like it; instead, it was my favorite! Very interesting family relationships. ( )

Wonderful story about a father and daughter plus assorted relatives set in the deep south. ( )

I kept thinking I had already read this - and I had. Mr. Conroy has a way of infusing sadness into his books. Overall not a favorite author. ( )

Pat Conroy always writes a good book and tells a good story. Wish he could write faster! ( )

Jack McCall escapes his family and southern roots to Italy with his daughter. ( )

I do love the way Pat Conroy tells a story. But the inclusion of the Holocaust stuff didn't fit and detracted from the book as a whole. ( )

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Frank Muller, and the combination of his skillful reading and the poetic prose of Pat Conroy made listening to this book an emotional experience. I lost count of how many times this book made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own life.

The story is beautiful and poignant and heart-breaking as it weaves between Rome, Italy and Waterford, South Carolina. There are several stories within the story, each one emotional and some even terrifying to comprehend. ( )

I love how this book weaves in and out of the South and Italy. I recommend listening to the book on tape of it. It is long, but the reader was excellent. Not sure of his name, but he sounded a lot like Kevin Spacey. ( )

From Publishers Weekly
A man tries to make peace with himself in the wake of his wife's suicide in Conroy's long-awaited blockbuster, which was a PW bestseller for 24 weeks.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Conroy's was the most talked-about book at the American Booksellers Association convention, even though it was reputedly only half-written. Hero Jack McCall, who has fled to Rome after his wife's suicide, is asked to locate a Sixties buddy whose antiwar activity drove him underground. ( )

Tedious. I couldn't finish it. ( )

This bok is like listening to an old favorite record. It is a song of home and places I want to see. Characters that are crazy, loved and hated like my own family.

This was my least favorite of Pat Conroys's books. Although I will say that one of my favorite descriptions in any book I've read is on page 48; talking about his relationship with his mother. Other than that, not really worth the read ( )

One of my favorite Conroys...but between the Italian and Carolina barbecues...it makes me REALLY hungry. ( )