Truth & Beauty

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Ann Patchett

""A loving testament to the work and reward of the best friendships, the kind where your arms can’t distinguish burden from embrace.” — People

New York Times Bestselling author Ann Patchett’s first work of nonfiction chronicling her decades-long friendship with the critically acclaimed and recently deceased author, Lucy Grealy.

Ann Patchett and the late Lucy Grealy met in college in 1981, and, after enrolling in the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, began a friendship that would be as defining to both of their lives as their work. In Gealy's critically acclaimed and hugely successful memoir, Autobiography of a Face, she wrote about losing part of her jaw to childhood cancer, years of chemotherapy and radiation, and endless reconstructive surgeries. In Truth & Beauty, the story isn't Lucy's life or Ann's life, but the parts of their lives they shared together. This is a portrait of unwavering commitment that spans twenty years, from the long cold winters of the Midwest, to surgical wards, to book parties in New York. Through love, fame, drugs, and despair, this is what it means to be part of two lives that are intertwined...and what happens when one is left behind.

This is a tender, brutal book about loving the person we cannot save. It is about loyalty and being uplifted by the sheer effervescence of someone who knew how to live life to the fullest.

©2004 Ann Patchett; (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Truth And Beauty

Captivating work beautifully read by the author.

Such a moving story, so beautifully read!

I really couldn't stop listening to this book. When I was finished I started reading it again. Ann Patchett is a wonderful writer and hearing her read this story of such a meaningful friendship in her life was so moving I couldn't stop. Though I have much compassion for Lucy Grealy, I have to admit I didn't find her such a likable person, but that was part of what I liked so much about the book. It was so true it was raw, and that made its beauty. Highly recommended.

Tear Jerking

I listened to Truth and Beauty that unfolds the life of the beautiful Lucy Grealy, her closest and most dear friend, and directly after that I listened to Autobiography Of A Face by Lucy...all three phenomenally written and expressed.


I would definitely consider these books a three part series. If you listen to one, listen to the others.

other book: (This is the story of a happy marriage)

“This was my mistake”

This closing statement is so real, as anyone in AlAnon or AA would tell you, and who have all had or seen this experience. But she did her best and loved unconditionally. One just doesn’t know what they don’t know.

Ann Patchett does it again! Superb!

Loved the story. The characters and the reading! Truly enjoyable with wonderful classical and well know references