Book Club | The Water is Wide: A Memoir

Our book selection this month is The Water is Wide: A Memoir. A memoir is a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge. The author is Pat Conroy, a best-selling author of several novels and memoirs. Four of his books were made into films and two were nominated for Oscars. Our book club selection was made into a film. If you don’t have time to read the book you may want to check out the film version.
 
The Water is Wide is based on Pat Conroy’s work as a teacher on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, which is called Yamacraw Island in the book. Yamacraw is a poor island lacking bridges to the mainland. The islanders made their living from the sea but pollution from industry threatens their existence.  The book details Conroy’s efforts to communicate with the islanders and teach the children a new way. Most of the islanders are descendants from slaves who had little interaction with people on the mainland. His students are ages 10-13. Some are unable to read or do simple math. The book tells of Conroy’s unconventional teaching methods that are not approved by the principal of the school or the county administration. Join us for a great discussion.

The Book Club ladies will meet on Tuesday, May 16th at 10:30 in the conference room at church.