This book takes us deep into the life of complex characters. How brave Mr Conroy was in sharing his painful childhood and that of his siblings. By his understanding of his parents early lack of true nurturing and the career as a killing machine his father had chosen for himself, he was eventually not only be able to forgive but to love this extremely complex man know as the Great Santini.

Living without a strong support system can cause long lasting effects. In this story we see the results of a young Isabelle's choices affecting not only her inability to find self satisfaction but her ongoing struggle to find her place in the sun. Her daughter's struggle with similar problems forces Isabelle to come to terms with life and braking this cycle resulting in a more meaningful life for both mother and daughter.