Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

This is the story of Tom Wingo and his deeply Southern family, their dysfunction and the modest home where he and his family lived on a small island in the South Carolina Marshes. 

It is the story of Tom's family, of his older brother, Luke. His mother, Lila, loves the natural beauty surrounding their home but feels that she and her family have been deprived of a "decent" and cultured life.  His father, Henry, a vet and ship boat captain is a traditional southern  male in every way and the cause of much of the dysfunction in their home. Tom's twin sister, Savannah, grows up to be an artist and an adult who frequently suffers psychotic episodes.

After Suzanna suffers one particularly harsh episode, and attempts suicide (again), Tom is contacted by her therapist, Dr. Lowenstein, in hopes that he could help shed some light on what may be the cause of Savannah's depression and mental illness.

In telling the story of his family and sibling, Tom unexpectedly reveals an old and terrible secret from his childhood that his family has held in silence for many years.

This novel is lovely, beautifully written. The author describes the marshes and natural surroundings of the small island so well that might you think you can actually smell the salt in the air and hear the whistle of the tall grass in the wind.

This novel is also disturbing, describing the horrific events and childhood trauma that this family was forced to survive. Contrarily, it also shows how the love of family and employing their strength, can lead to healing by facing shared trauma together, facing reality, even when it is uncomfortable, and overcoming the past.