“I loved these salt rivers more than I loved the sea; I loved the movement of tides more than I loved the fury of surf. Something in me was congruent with this land, something affirmed when I witnessed the startled, piping rush of shrimp or the flash of starlight on the scales of mullet. I could feel myself relax and change whenever I returned to the lowcountry and saw the vast green expanses of marsh, feminine as lace, delicate as calligraphy. The lowcountry had its own special ache and sting.”

American author, late 20th century

Pat Conroy was an American author of the late 20th century, known for his novels and memoirs. His books include The Water Is Wide, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides, and The Great Santini. Several of his works were adapted for film, and The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini received Oscar nominations. He is regarded as a leading figure in late 20th century American Southern literature, writing about the region and its people with a strong sense of place.