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TL;DR: Tom Wingo, a South Carolina native, travels to New York to help his twin sister Savannah, a poet who has attempted suicide. In sessions with her psychiatrist, Susan Lowenstein, Tom reveals the secrets of his family's past and begins to heal himself.
Table of Contents
The Prince of Tides at a Glance
| Author | Pat Conroy |
| First published | 1986 |
| Type | Southern family drama |
| Best for | readers who like lyrical, emotional family sagas |
The Prince of Tides is a novel by Pat Conroy, first published in 1986. The novel was a bestseller and was adapted into a film in 1991. The lush prose describes the Carolina low country. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains family violence, sexual assault, suicide and trauma.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A call from New York
Tom's mother calls to say Savannah is in a hospital. Tom leaves his home and wife behind.
Dr. Lowenstein
Susan asks Tom to tell the family history, since Savannah cannot. He begins to share childhood memories.
The Wingo family
Tom and Savannah's parents are a violent father and a mother obsessed with appearances. Their older brother Luke is a rebel.
Violence and loss
The memories include acts of violence and a terrible event that shaped all three siblings.
Healing
Tom and Susan become close. Tom finds he must face his past to rebuild his own marriage and life.
Return
The story ends with Tom returning home, changed.
5 Key Takeaways
- Family secrets can damage generations.
- Telling the truth is a step toward healing.
- Trauma affects siblings in different ways.
- Place shapes identity.
- Forgiveness requires understanding.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The prose is lush and dramatic.
- The book moves between past and present.
- Conroy draws on Southern gothic traditions.
Who Should Read The Prince of Tides?
Read it if you like long, emotional novels. It has disturbing material.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Prince of Tides:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy (1986)
- Type: Southern family drama
- Best for: readers who like lyrical, emotional family sagas
- Main idea in one line: Family secrets can damage generations.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Prince of Tides is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Prince of Tides, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
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What to Read Next
- The Great Santini by Pat Conroy: Conroy's novel about a military family
- The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy: a novel about a military academy
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: a novel of friendship and trauma
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Prince of Tides based on a true story?
It is fiction, though Conroy drew on his own childhood.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 1991 film with Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte.
Is it a long book?
Yes, around 700 pages.
Is The Prince of Tides worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like lyrical, emotional family sagas. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading The Prince of Tides?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.