Truth and Beauty
Patchett, AnnPatchett first met the poet, Lucy Greely, in college and remained friends with her until Greely's death. Mourning her best friend, Patchett writes of her memories of their devoted friendship, which survived years of artistic, medical, economic and emotional upheavals. Using selections from Greely's letters, Patchett writes of their shared lives in a moving tribute.
Comments from Groups
Majority found this an interesting well written read. Much discussion around 'healthy' relationships. Recommended. Auckland 100 Enjoyed by most, prompting further reading and internet research. Lots of scope for discussion re families and relationships. Christchurch 277 Enjoyed the book but mixed views about Lucy as a friend. Nelson 018 Appreciated particularly for the glimpse of an extraordinarily intense co-dependent relationship... Although on the surface of it they appeared to be opposites (the ant and the grasshopper) Ann believed they had something truly special...Katikati 001 Captivated by this rather remarkable relationship based firmly on the giving of one - the other taking! ...We will be reading more of this writer's books. Top marks. Dunedin 001
Pages
257
257
Year
2004
2004
Reviews
19-12-2023
Mixed reaction to this book. Lots of discussion though eg. the ethics of publishing private letters & diaries etc.
27-07-2022
Well-written and quite compelling. A couple of writers in our group found the insights into writing very interesting. Good pace and well-structured.
31-07-2019
Most of us loved the book, but interestingly two members didn't like it at all.
31-07-2019
Enjoyed by most members. Good discussion. A sad book in many ways. Good questions. Lots of good conversation about relationships.
31-07-2019
The group had mixed feelings about the book. Agreed that it was easy to read, but there was a discussion about whether Lucy was a psychopath. We thought Anne Patchett might have been better waiting for a while before writing the book - there wasn't any real structure to it.
31-07-2019
A most fascinating book. So outrageous that several members googled Lucy Greely to see if she is real, and indeed she is/was. Even more interesting is the fact that other friends in her life barely knew of Anne Patchett being in her life. Anne Patchett is always worth reading.
31-07-2019
No one really enjoyed the book. Good discussion about other interesting topics.
31-07-2019
Great discussion! Differing views, wonderful book to discuss.
31-07-2019
the group found the story intriguing - but that Lucy was a "bit of a brat" despite all her health problems. She seemed to manipulate everyone around her to feel sorry for her and change their lives to bow to her wishes and care. Ann Patchett is an excellent writer but this attempt to immortalise her friend was not appealing to us.
31-07-2019
Probably the liveliest and most sustained discussion we have had of any book in recent years. We discussed the nature of friendship, dysfunctional relationships, addiction, the lack of self-disclosure by the author, and whether this was seen by her in a commercial light from the beginning of writing or not...