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Cover of The Prince of Tides by Pat ConroyThe Prince of Tides
Classic · Fiction, Classics, Family

The Prince of Tides

by Pat Conroy
1986 · 686 pages · Fiction
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 17 hours to read · about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Spanning forty years, Pat Conroy's novel tells the story of turbulent Tom Wingo, his gifted and troubled twin sister, Savannah, and their struggle to overcome the dark and tragic legacy of the extraordinary South Carolina family they were born into.

Why it's worth reading

It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1986. It's a huge, brash, emotional Southern saga.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It deals with violence and abuse. It was adapted into a 1991 film.

By the numbers

70.1Must-Read Score
  • Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller51 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
One of the ten best-selling books of 1986 (Publishers Weekly)

Reads as

Moving

How we rank

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More by Pat Conroy

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is The Prince of Tides worth reading?

Yes. It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1986. It ranks #1,278 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.1 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Prince of Tides about?

Spanning forty years, Pat Conroy's novel tells the story of turbulent Tom Wingo, his gifted and troubled twin sister, Savannah, and their struggle to overcome the dark and tragic legacy of the extraordinary South Carolina family they were born into.

How long does it take to read The Prince of Tides?

About 17 hours (686 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Prince of Tides?

If you liked it, try Beach Music by Pat Conroy, South of Broad by Pat Conroy or A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.