South of Broad

I have been meaning to write a review of this book for months.  I gotta say that I'm a huge Pat Conroy fan.  I was SO excited when I found out he had a new book coming out.  I sent my mom to a book store in Asheville that Mr. Conroy was appearing and had her get me a book and have it signed.
So I read.  I thought that the writing was GREAT.  I thought that story was GREAT.  But then I talked to my cousin.  She brought up the point that the characters were rather stereotypical.  And really, they were.  I still thought the story was a good story.  It became a little odd near the end, but well worth the read.
It's a story of friends that meet in high school.  Some go their separate ways, others go the same way, but always keeping in touch.  It goes from high school then jumps ahead well into adult hood when one of the friends goes missing.  Off the other's go to find him.  The action takes place in Charleston, California (mostly LA) and the Lake Lure area of the NC mountains.  I always like to read books when I know a few of the places where the story takes place.  Their journey is filled with trials and tribulations and, in the end, brings then closer together. 
Overall, I would totally recommend this book.  I do think that it would make a great movie.  Part of me wonders if the thought of the book possibly becoming a movie sometimes motivates writers...  Just a thought.  Anyway... go, read it... it's a quick and easy read.