Comments (19)

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Jan 27, 2022reneelines rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Disappointed!
Jan 26, 2022JCLJenV rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A lovely tribute to a one-of-a-kind friendship.
Jul 19, 2021writermala rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This non-fiction book is well-written and poignant but not as good as Ann Patchett's novels. The book is about her friendship with another writer Lucy Grealy who has led a tragic life. The book though is not about Ann's life or Lucy's life…
May 09, 2019rogebc_0 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Lucy Grealy. A world of New York writers and poets - the whole east coast - Sarah Lawrence - Provincetown. All the writing fellowships and awards. Lucy - someone I did not know and now I know a little. The friendship so intense. Ann…
Feb 21, 2018kirpet rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
hard not to read to the end despite at times being very repetitious about her friend Grealy. Probably a therapy of sorts for Patchett. This friend would have drained a less caring person that she is., I could not have been friends with…
Jan 24, 2017bethwpr rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I'm going to start by saying I've never read any of Ann Patchett's or Lucy Grealy's other books, so I don't have any prejudices one way or the other of them as creative writers, much less as people. With that said, I have to agree with the…
May 24, 2016mkb23 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. My first of Ann Patchett's. The writing, the story, the friendship, all very special. I checked out Lucy Grealy's Autobiography of a Face as soon as I was finished and am reading that one now.
Feb 10, 2015
Read by author ann patchett and an excellent look into friendship, addiction, and the collaborative efforts of writers,poets, and artists.
Jan 08, 2015carolynlindstrom rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Did not finish, memoir of friendship between disfigured woman and Ann. Got old.
Sep 20, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) and Lucy Grealy (Autobiography of a Face) met at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. They became devoted friends, were frequently roommates, and their lives were forever after intertwined, for better and for worse, until…
Jun 18, 2014ehm_chen rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Overall, this book kept my attention, although I felt that it was drawn out, especially the last third or so. Reading this was like watching a very slow-motion car wreck, and I was filled with increasing dread throughout. Some terrific…
May 14, 2014Zoomerofall rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I agree that this book is beautifully written, though harrowing. The intensity of the friendship is almost painful to witness through Patchett's account of it. I doubt that Patchett is religious, but the devotion she showed her friend is…
May 05, 2014
Patchett writes about her long and special relationship with fellow writer Lucy Grealy (author of ‘Autobiography of a Face’). A heartbreaking and tender story of friendship and commitment. Read together these two books provide special…
Jul 23, 2013mockingbird7 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
First, let me say that I would read anything Ann Patchett wrote. Second, this book is well named. Based on the true story of Ann Patchett's long-time friendship with fellow author Lucy Grealy, it does an excellent job of exploring the…
Sep 12, 2012shapjul rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a beautifully written book (I've read it as well as listened to it.) The reader is the author which, at least in this instance, is a huge plus. It's a lovely and sad story of friendship and writing and life.
Aug 20, 2012annekim9 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A beautifully written memoir of a friendship between two writers, Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy. They became best friends after college graduation when they both were students in the Iowa Writers' Workshop, a two year residency program.…
Aug 13, 2011jkovacs rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I read this as a follow-up to "Autobiography of a Face" by Lucy Grealy. This book is written by Lucy's friend and fellow writer Ann Patchett. I thought it was well written, although I can understand why Lucy's family was upset at its…
May 13, 2008seaspirit rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully written, honest book about the joys and sorrows of friendship. I'm not sure I could have been a friend to Lucy Grealy, but I have been privileged to have wonderfully intimate friendships.
Mar 07, 2008lsims rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An excellent story of the survival of a young woman with a facial disfigurement resulting from childhood cancer.