Reviews with content warning for Addiction - Truth and Beauty

Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett

11 reviews

carlytenille's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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eliran's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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nordstina's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

3.75

I am continuing reading through Ann Patchett's backlog and I was particularly interested in her memoir about her friendship with Lucy Grealy, as she writes about this relationship in bits and pieces in her two essay collections. I actually found it quite helpful reading those collections beforehand, even though they were published after Truth & Beauty because I think they provide much needed context and a fuller background on Ann's life during the years of their friendship. Ann and Lucy went to undergrad together, but really became close while they were both in graduate school at Iowa (Lucy a poet, Ann a short story writer). Lucy was a fascinating person and complex. She went through so much trauma both physical and emotional growing up with her cancer journey and the many reconstructive surgeries, one wonders how those contributed to her ultimate interactions with others. She was such a magnet for others- both because of how she looked and how she drew people in through friendships. Ann does a wonderful job providing a rich portrait into their friendship, but as the book progressed, I found Ann fading more and more into the background as Lucy became more unstable. Ann's (and many of Lucy's other friends) life really revolved around Lucy and she would drop everything at the drop of a hat to be with her. It all seemed incredibly exhausting. While Lucy was surrounded by others, she sought constant validation from others while also despairing that she would never be loved. It is a lot, and while there are clear shades of this neediness when Ann and her first become friends, it becomes more and more pathologic as Lucy falls into despair. Even with the heavy subject matter, Ann is such a fabulous chronicler of relationships and I continue to adore her.

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riri_pdx's review against another edition

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4.75

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motelsix's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

just devastating. beautifully written. just just … chef’s kiss.

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meemawreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

3.0

I think context matters more with this book than some others. I entered having read one fiction and one nonfiction by Ann Patchett, nothing by Lucy Grealy (Ann’s late best friend and the subject of this book) and all I knew is there was contention surrounding this book because the family was mad about it. I can see why: Ann paints Lucy honestly and grieving loved ones aren’t always happy to read truth about the dead. Lucy had cancer as a child and suffered through dozens of surgeries in her life, and the suffering left as many emotional scars as physical ones. She and Ann bonded over writing but stayed connected through Lucy’s magnetism and deep, often selfish, neediness. Ann seemed all too ready to care for this infantilized friend. Even in writing the story of their friendship Ann seemed to be caring for her still. The portrayal of Lucy’s actions and addictions are honest but Ann stops short of harsh criticism and many of her own feelings. If the author had been more present herself in this story, I might have connected to it more. It’s excruciating and draining to watch a loved one fade slowly at the hands of something you don’t understand, but we don’t get a lot of insight into that. Those hoping for drama or who had a pre-formed opinion on Lucy seem to be disappointed by this book, which is why I’m glad I went in pretty blind; that’s why I think context matters to your enjoyment of this book. It contains touching moments, beautiful words, and heartbreaking honesty but overall I’m not blown away. 🥔🥔🥔/🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

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lancakes's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

I'm bummed that what started out so beautifully ended so tragically. I don't know if I'd have picked up the book if I were aware Lucy Grealy passed away after many suicide attempts and addiction to heroin. Not that I find such things Wrong or Shameful - but honestly they hold a lot of fear and darkness for me. I want to watch La Bohème and Orpheus.

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