The Great Santini (novel)
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| Author | Pat Conroy |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel/Memoir |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Released | 1976 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 471 (2006 paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 0-553-38155-5 (2006 paperback edition) |
The Great Santini is a novel written by Pat Conroy and published in 1976.
[edit] Plot Summary
The Great Santini tells the story of hard-nosed Marine fighter pilot Lt. Col. "Bull" Meecham, who calls himself "The Great Santini," and the family he runs with a strict hand. It follows the Meechams as they move to and struggle to fit into the Marine town of Ravenel. The novel explores main character Ben Meechum's growth into manhood, his experiences playing basketball for his high school, as well as his friendship with Toomer, a poor African-American man. The novel exposes the love-hate relationship Ben and his father share, and the lengths Ben goes to in an effort to win his father's acceptance and love. In the end, however, Bull is killed when his fighter plane crashes late in the book.
The novel is based on Conroy's own childhood experiences growing up in a military family. Conroy's own father, Donald Conroy, was the inspiration for "Bull" Meechum. Many of the events in the book seem to echo Conroy's real-life experiences.
[edit] Film Adaptation
The novel was made into a film of the same name in 1979, starring Robert Duvall in the title role.
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