Plot summary

The Great Santini tells the story of hard-nosed Marine fighter pilot Lt. Col. Wilbur "Bull" Meecham, who calls himself "The Great Santini," and the family he runs with a strict hand. It follows the Meecham family as they move to and struggle to fit into the Marine town of Ravenel, South Carolina

Ravenel, South Carolina

Ravenel is a town in Charleston County and Dorchester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,214 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...

. The book is set in 1962 before the Vietnam War. Conroy makes the point that Santini is a warrior without a war, and in turn is at war alternately with the service that he loves and his family.

The novel explores main character Ben Meecham's growth into manhood, his experiences playing basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

 for his high school, as well as his friendships with a Jewish classmate and an African-American farmer. The novel exposes the love-hate relationship between Ben and his father, and the lengths Ben goes to in an effort to win his father's acceptance and love.

The novel is based on Conroy's own childhood experiences growing up in a military family. Conroy's own father, Donald Conroy

Donald Conroy

Donald "The Great Santini" Conroy was a United States Marine Corps colonel and a member of the famed Black Sheep Squadron during the Korean War. He was also a veteran of World War II and of two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is best known as the being the inspiration for the character LtCol...

, was the inspiration for "Bull" Meecham.

Film Adaptation

The novel was made into a film of the same name

The Great Santini

The Great Santini is a 1979 film which tells the story of a Marine officer whose success as a military aviator contrasts with his shortcomings as a husband and father. The film explores the high price of heroism and self-sacrifice...

 in 1979, starring Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....

in the title role.

External links

• The eulogy of Colonel Donald Conroy by his son Pat Conroy