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Review
'Truth and Beauty, Patchett's account of her relationship with Grealy, is not a story of commonplace camaraderie. Theirs is a love story, a first-love story, an account of devotion so intense that it compares to conventional friendship as closely as double cream does to Dream Topping. Her luminously detailed book, written in the aftermath of Lucy's death is an intentionally warts-and-all portrait of the woman 'with whom I was a native speaker'. Signing on for a love affair with her, Ann Patchett was committing herself not only to great joy but also, seemingly, to tragedy.' Elspeth Linder, Observer
Praise for Bel Canto:
‘A beguiling mix of thriller, romantic comedy, and novel of ideas…Crisply written, immaculately plotted, and often very funny, it is that rarity – a literary novel you simply can’t put down.’ The Times
‘Like the blueprint of operatic performance that she has imported, Patchett slides from strutting camp to high tragedy, minute social comedy to sublime romanticism.’ Alex Clark, Guardian
‘Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction. Comparisons are tempting to the unabashed romanticism of Laurie Colwin, the eccentric characters of Anne Tyler, the enchantments of Alice Hoffman. But Patchett is unique; a generous, fearless and startlingly wise young writer.’ New York Times
Review
'Truth and Beauty, Patchett's account of her relationship with Grealy, is not a story of commonplace camaraderie. Theirs is a love story, a first-love story, an account of devotion so intense that it compares to conventional friendship as closely as double cream does to Dream Topping. Her luminously detailed book, written in the aftermath of Lucy's death is an intentionally warts-and-all portrait of the woman 'with whom I was a native speaker'. Signing on for a love affair with her, Ann Patchett was committing herself not only to great joy but also, seemingly, to tragedy.' Elspeth Linder, Observer Praise for Bel Canto: 'A beguiling mix of thriller, romantic comedy, and novel of ideas!Crisply written, immaculately plotted, and often very funny, it is that rarity -- a literary novel you simply can't put down.' The Times 'Like the blueprint of operatic performance that she has imported, Patchett slides from strutting camp to high tragedy, minute social comedy to sublime romanticism.' Alex Clark, Guardian 'Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett's fiction. Comparisons are tempting to the unabashed romanticism of Laurie Colwin, the eccentric characters of Anne Tyler, the enchantments of Alice Hoffman. But Patchett is unique; a generous, fearless and startlingly wise young writer.' New York Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Lucy Grealy and Ann Patchett shared the kind of intimate friendship that most of us would be lucky to experience. According to "Truth and Beauty" Lucy lived life at the extremes of happiness and despair, whilst Ann was the stabilizing influence who tried to make her life easier, happier and longer. I doubt that I am the only reader who found Lucy to be both annoying and heroic by turns. Ann's unfaltering friendship, on the other hand, is remarkable, as is that of Lucy's other friends. So much so, that I came to view this less as an account of Lucy's life, and more as an account of the feats that the love and dedication of friends can accomplish.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A had a wonderful time reading this book. It improved my quality of my life immensely over the three days that I absorbed it. A highly recommended read for anyone with strong, cherished friendships in their life. Thanks Ann.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was disappointed with a lot of this book. I had just finished Autobiography of a Face and wanted to read this one to get a fuller picture of Lucy Grealy.
I do think Ann Patchett writes well, but I really found this much less interesting to read than Lucy Grealy's book. I found their whole relationship strange. . . from the day Lucy jumps up to Ann and hugs her fiercely in Iowa (without really knowing eachother) to the very end.
At one point, Patchett states that Lucy says something like "I provided you with a way of feeling good about yourself". . .actually, I'm misquoting--I don't remember the exact quote and don't want to look it up-- but the point is the same. Patchett was shocked and upset. But, really, their friendship seemed so one-sided. I know some people do really thrive on being needed, but healthy people thrive on being needed and loved as well as loving and needing. Ann Patchett seemed to just love and need without caring that she wasn't loved and needed as much in return. It was a very weird, one-sided type of relationship.
Still, I'd recommend reading it if you read Grealy's book and liked it, and if you want to know more about her life.
I do think Ann Patchett writes well, but I really found this much less interesting to read than Lucy Grealy's book. I found their whole relationship strange. . . from the day Lucy jumps up to Ann and hugs her fiercely in Iowa (without really knowing eachother) to the very end.
At one point, Patchett states that Lucy says something like "I provided you with a way of feeling good about yourself". . .actually, I'm misquoting--I don't remember the exact quote and don't want to look it up-- but the point is the same. Patchett was shocked and upset. But, really, their friendship seemed so one-sided. I know some people do really thrive on being needed, but healthy people thrive on being needed and loved as well as loving and needing. Ann Patchett seemed to just love and need without caring that she wasn't loved and needed as much in return. It was a very weird, one-sided type of relationship.
Still, I'd recommend reading it if you read Grealy's book and liked it, and if you want to know more about her life.
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