The Water Is Wide
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The author describes his experiences teaching on the island of Yamacraw off the coast of South Carolina, home to a mostly African-American, illiterate population.
Imprint:
New York - Bantam
Pages:
294
Edition:
Bantam trade pbk ed
ISBN:
0553381571, 9780553381573
Language:
English
Statement of responsibility:
Pat Conroy
Characteristics:
294 p. :,ill. ;,23 cm.
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Add a CommentThe story is good and is fun to read, but the author uses way too many words to describe even the most trivial things. This makes the book and slow read. Generally, it is still enjoyable.
This book talks about the months in 1969 and 1970 that Conroy taught at a small black school on Yamacraw Island, South Carolina. Conroy was appalled at the lack of knowledge of the students (grade 5 to grade 8) that he was responsible for. Many could not read, or do simple math. They lacked knowledge of geography, history, and science. Conroy had taught high school before and so was not prepared with all the tools to teach younger children. He relied on his instincts and used ingenuity to find ways to engage the children, enrich their learning experience and fight for their right to a decent education. He encountered racism, apathy, and indifference. He was not always wise or prudent in his fight and it ended with him being fired and never teaching again. But it taught him a great deal. It is an interesting memoir of a specific period with a specific situation.