Truth and Beauty

This memoir chronicles the friendship between writers Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) and Lucy Grealy (Autobiography of a Face). They met in graduate school and began a devoted if somewhat dysfunctional friendship. Lucy had jaw cancer and endured may operations to help, but not completely, correct the facial deformities it left behind. Patchett was more of the "good girl" who was drawn to Grealy's adventurous and wild nature. As Grealy achieved success, she still had personal demons to battle, including drug addiction and suicidal thoughts, and Patchett was often there to pick up the pieces. Patchett doesn't back down from Lucy's flaws--or her own--but even at her bottom, Lucy's spirit is evident.