42 pages • 1 hour read
The Water Is Wide: A Memoir
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Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Daufuskie Island • 1960s
1972
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
First published in 1972, Pat Conroy's memoir The Water Is Wide recounts his experiences teaching on Yamacraw Island off the South Carolina coast. Young teacher Pat Conroy, avoiding the Vietnam War draft, finds a community of children starved for knowledge and uses innovative methods to engage them, leading to conflicts with traditional educational authorities. The book contains descriptions of corporal punishment and racism.
Contemplative
Inspirational
Melancholic
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
32,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy is praised for its evocative storytelling and meaningful exploration of racial and educational challenges in the 1960s South. Critics laud Conroy's heartfelt narration and vivid descriptions, though some argue the book's tone can be overly sentimental. Overall, it stands as a poignant and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Water Is Wide?
Readers who enjoy The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy typically appreciate poignant narratives of social justice and educational reform. Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Educated by Tara Westover will find similar themes of challenging societal norms and personal growth within a community setting.
32,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Brown
The primary grades teacher and principal at the school on Yamacraw Island, known for her strict approach and adherence to traditional educational methods.
Ted Stone
Ted Stone
A resident of Yamacraw Island who holds various administrative jobs, characterized by his entrenched racist views and staunch patriotism.
Zeke and Ida Skimberry
Zeke and Ida Skimberry
A couple living on the mainland, with Zeke working as the maintenance man for the school on Yamacraw Island. They are known for their complex relationship with race and are friends of Pat.
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Daufuskie Island • 1960s
1972
Adult
14-18 years
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