51 pages • 1 hour read
My Losing Season
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Book Brief
402
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Charleston, South Carolina • 1960s
2002
Adult
18+ years
1100L
Super Short Summary
My Losing Season is a 2002 memoir by Pat Conroy that chronicles his senior season as the captain and starting point guard of the 1966-67 Citadel Bulldogs basketball team. The overarching theme is the value of losing, with Conroy's coming-of-age as a secondary theme. Key aspects include his relationship with his abusive father, his passion for basketball, and the team's dynamics with their authoritarian coach. The memoir also explores Conroy's childhood, his experiences at The Citadel, and his development both as a player and a writer. Contains instances of child abuse and hazing.
Melancholic
Inspirational
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
11,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
My Losing Season by Pat Conroy is praised for its heartfelt and compelling narrative, delving into themes of resilience and personal growth. Conroy's candid reflections and lyrical prose captivate readers. However, some critiques note an overemphasis on emotional intensity, which may overwhelm. Overall, it's a powerful memoir appreciated for its honesty and evocative storytelling.
Who Should Read My Losing Season?
Readers who enjoy memoirs about personal growth and resilience, particularly those with an interest in sports, will find My Losing Season by Pat Conroy captivating. Fans of Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger and A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving will appreciate Conroy's poignant storytelling and exploration of formative life experiences.
11,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Donald Conroy
Donald Conroy
Pat Conroy's father, a Marine Corps colonel whose career greatly influenced Pat's upbringing; his relationship with his son is characterized by emotional and physical abuse.
Mel Thompson
Mel Thompson
Head coach of The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team from 1960 to 1967, a disciplinarian known for his conservative coaching style and critical view of Conroy's playing abilities.
Thomas Nugent Courvoisie/The Boo
Thomas Nugent Courvoisie/The Boo
Assistant Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel during Conroy's time, feared yet respected by cadets and later fired for being "bad for discipline."
Dan Mohr
Dan Mohr
A six-foot-seven senior center and top returning player from the previous season, noted for enduring the Citadel's plebe system alongside Conroy.
Jim Halpin
Jim Halpin
A senior guard who persevered through The Citadel’s rigorous system with Conroy and had the potential for greatness in basketball before a knee injury.
John DeBrosse
John DeBrosse
A junior guard and the team's leading scorer, whose encounter with Conroy at a book signing inspired the memoir's creation.
Tee Hooper
Tee Hooper
A talented sophomore guard, he is depicted as Conroy’s competition for a starting position on the basketball team.
Al Kroboth
Al Kroboth
A sophomore during Conroy's senior year, whose contrasting experience in Vietnam underscores differing post-graduation paths; later became a POW.
402
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Charleston, South Carolina • 1960s
2002
Adult
18+ years
1100L
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