At times I've wondered if truly beautiful writing has disappeared from modern fiction and, if so, whether it will need to be reborn for us. As long as author Pat Conroy is around, however, we need not be concerned. This is a wonderful, lyrical, poetic novel that alternates between the protagonist's present day conflicts and his childhood in the Carolina low country. It's hard for me to think of a novel I like any better from any age. I wish I could say the same about the movie. Despite a noble effort by Nick Nolte in the lead role, Barbra Streisand sinks the film version, as director and female lead. I wish I had never even watched it so as not to intrude on this otherwise perfect gem of a book.