You must read Lucy Grealy's Autobiography of a Face first, to appreciate this book in its entirety. The friendship between Ann and Lucy was bizarre - unlike any friendship between women I have ever known. They were *extremely* close - and Lucy was pretty much obesessed with Ann, addicted to her approval and friendship, and that of others. It's a tragic story, one which, in reflection, could not have ended any other way. It left me a bit drained, and stayed with me for a long time.
Helpful Score: 4
Lots of controversy over this mrmoir. Lucy's family says things didn't happen exactly as Ann Patchett says they did. Interesting discussion at book club, however.
Helpful Score: 3
Patchett writes so beautifully that somehow it doesn't matter that this memoir of her friendship with writer and cancer survivor, Lucy Grealy, is often depressing and frustrating when Lucy's neediness and overwhelming insecurity dictates both their lives; however the love the two women have for each other shines thru all the heartache.
Helpful Score: 2
I read this after "Autobiography of a Face" and probably appreciated the insight into Lucy Grealy more for it. I am the same age as Lucy and Ann, so the shared history of their friendship over the years, college, graduate school, love and loss, resonated deeply with me.
Helpful Score: 2
I never expected this book to touch me as it did.
