The back of my book states: "Bull Meecham in undoubtedly Pat Conroy's most explosive character - a man you should hate, but a man you will love." Sorry, I have no love for this man. I have no like for this man. This was a difficult book for me to read because of how much I hated Bull Meecham. I kept waiting and waiting to find a redeeming characteristic. Page 300, still waiting. Page 400, still waiting. Page 440, finished. His own son hated him, why would I not? Bull Meecham was an abusive, controlling, JERK. His family, thanks to him, is a mess. I was raised by southerners. I was born on an Air Force base. Fortunately I was also raised by parents who did not abuse me, berate me, embarrass me, humiliate me, beat me, and try to kill me when I made them angry. Honestly - there was NOTHING to love about Bull.
Lillian. The good, obedient, southern wife. She loved her children - and oddly enough, she seemed to love her husband. She was also being a traditional southern military wife: stand by your man. Her redeeming quality is that she loved her children and stepped in to protect them when necessary.
Mary Anne. I thought she was going to kill herself for most of the book. Then I realized that she wants to do something with her life before she does it. She needs to leave some of herself behind for people to remember her, like a book. Like Hemingway. A true disturbed, depressed artist that left his mark on this world before killing himself.
Ben. Ben was my favorite character, even though he couldn't stand up to his father 99.9% of the time. I don't really blame him. He was trained from birth that he would be beaten if he didn't follow the Great Santini's commands. Ben DID befriend Toomer though - and Sammy. He didn't seem to let race or nationality or religious beliefs interfere with who he liked, unlike the rest of the world at that time. That in itself shows strength of character.
I realize that this book was written in a different time, about a different time. I realize that I was raised in a "sheltered environment" (thank God for that!). I just couldn't relate to the brutality of language and actions in this book. Bull chalked it all up to being a Marine. Well, God help us all if all Marines are like that!
By the way, I LOVED how it ended. Good riddance.
Wendy's Rating: **
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