Longing for such a love, a friendship that grows and endures -- that's what I'm left with on closing this book. Patchett generously reveals her heart and recalls the building of her history with Lucy Grealy. Her observation, honesty, and loyalty left me thoroughly envious. I'm about the same age as these two women, but I have yet to crack the code that creates this kind of friendship, fluency and understanding, such that when I'm with a friend I feel that "I am a native speaker". ( )

Mentioned in “A Month of Sundays” “ … she wrote it very soon after Lucy Grealy died. I preferred Helen Garner’s book on such support.

Ann Patchett’s memoir Truth and Beauty tells the story of her codependent relationship with the charismatic but needy writer Lucy Grealy.

The two women met in college but don’t become close until grad school at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. In Iowa, they became very close—so close that that Lucy thought nothing of throwing herself into Ann’s arms or sitting in her lap. Lucy had lots of friends, and apparently also lots of sex, but a childhood bout with Ewing’s sarcoma and many failed reconstructive surgeries left her feeling unlovable and insecure. Ann was always there for Lucy, shoring up her fragile ego and even scouring New York City shops for apricot nectar very early on a Sunday morning. Ann’s fascination with Lucy is hard to understand, especially since Lucy seemed to give so little in return.

I read this book when it was first published years ago. I found that it did not stand up well to re-reading. There are too many long excerpts from gushy letters Lucy wrote to Ann, and too many poorly-differentiated secondary characters. Still, this book is a intriguing tribute to an uncommon friendship. ( )

I read this book over a rainy weekend. The story stayed in my mind long after I finished and definitely prompted me to want to learn more about Lucy. ( )

I actually started this book (I read the kindle edition) not knowing it was a memoir. The story rambles through the dysfunctional friendship of Lucy and Ann. Lucy comes across as terribly unlikeable, despite how much the author adored her. The two women's lives come across as completely pointless. I cannot recommend it. ( )