The Great Santini Summary
Pat Conroy

The Great Santini Summary

The Great Santini focuses on a year in the life of young Ben Meecham, son of Lieutenant Colonel Bull "The Great Santini" Meecham. This bittersweet coming of age tale documents the intra-family struggles of the Meecham clan as they deal with the return of their abusive patriarch, Bull, who has been on assignment in the Mediterranean for the past year. Bull's return brings a new assignment to Ravenel, South Carolina, and the military family packs its bags for yet another move. Ben and his younger siblings, Mary Anne, Matt and Karen, are accustomed to attending new schools each year, but the regular family moves don't make it easy on them - especially Ben and Mary Anne, who are both in high school.

Lacking other friends, Ben and Mary Anne are closer friends than most siblings, at least until the basketball season starts. Basketball is Ben's sport, and he uses his... View more of the The Great Santini Summary