The form of The Prince of Tides is that of multiple stories within a story. Conroy employs the voice and methods of a poet and a weaver of myths in his relaying of stories of his childhood. His use of imagery and figurative language to create the effects of a dreamy type of remembrance have been praised by critics and poets alike. He is the consummate storyteller, and in this novel shows this capability off in fine form.

With a seemingly endless imagination, Conroy concocts tales that deal with everything from childhood revenge, through the placing of a dead sea turtle in the hated Newbury house, where it rots and ruins an entire room, to Mr. Wingo's procurement of the tiger Caeser, eventually tamed by Luke. The tiger literally becomes the family's salvation as he later kills three men who sexually assault Savannah, Tom and Lila. The tales...