I actually started this book (I read the kindle edition) not knowing it was a memoir. The story rambles through the dysfunctional friendship of Lucy and Ann. Lucy comes across as terribly unlikeable, despite how much the author adored her. The two women's lives come across as completely pointless. I cannot recommend it. ( )

An astonish9ing, gripping book...one of my favorite memoirs. However, I very much disliked Lucy Grealy after reading it. Ultimately, she was the true text-book definition of a narcissist and while she clearly meant the world to Ann Patchett, I have to think that by writing the book as she did, she knew her friend would come across as an abject person. I did read that Lucy Grealy's sisters were very unhappy about Ann Patchett's account of her friend.

There was an account the author included in the book that solidified by dislike of Lucy Grealy but also caused me great disappointment in the author: during their book tour promoting Lucy's book 'Autobiography of a Face', they were both dismayed that readers of the book who related to the pain and society's regard of them as disfigured gave her passionate praise, which seemed to diminish Lucy's gift as a writer. GET OVER IT! is what I would have loved to tell Lucy. Your book was a best seller and helped the psyches of an untold number of its readers. You're lucky anyone read it at all. ( )

I very much like the writing of this author. I own many of her books and hope to read them all. Her writing style is beautiful and focuses on every-day life situations that change us.

This is a true story of a deep and long-term friendship between the author and her friend and author Lucy Grealy. Lucy developed cancer in her chin when she was ten. The invasive cancer took over her life, and as a result she became increasingly needy.

Both Grealy and Patchett attended Sarah Lawrence college as undergraduates. They did not become friends there, but developed a friendship when both were accepted to the Iowa Writers Workshop. This became a life-long relationship. The story focuses on Ann's ability to weather the storms of 36 surgeries with Lucy.

Grealy had every right to her pain, but her neediness was way over the top, as she forced her group of friends to give and give and give. Actually, a few years ago I had to take stock of a relationship I had with a very needy friend. Much like Lucy, she wore me down with her constant requests and selfishness. Lucy reminded me of my previous friend. But, unlike Ann Patchett, I found enough was enough and confronted my friend. Knowing it would not change her, I still felt she was due an explanation.

Patchett hung in there to the very end of Grealy's life. I found Grealy's selfishness and narcissism way over the top. And while the author notes how Lucy sucked the air out of the room, she continued to be by her side throughout Lucy's disfigurement and many surgeries. A gifted writer, Lucy lost touch with the definition of reciprocity. Simply reading about her wore me down.

Patchett displayed a great deal of fortitude and strength in hanging in there with this needy "friend." At the risk of sounding judgmental, Patchett's ability to love her friend throughout self imposed financial crisis' and blatant demands and use of those in her life was admirable, but I would have not had the fortitude of the author.

When a book helps us look inside, I deem it worth reading. As I read about Ann and Lucy's relationship, I realized I couldn't tolerate Lucy's selfishness and manipulation. I recommend this book as I very much like Patchett's style. ( )

This book is primarily a biography of the author’s friend and fellow writer, Lucy Grealy. Patchett and Grealy were roommates when they attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 1985. Grealy had lost part of her jaw during cancer treatment in her childhood, which greatly impacted her self-image. The book covers their friendship, relationships, and writing careers, spanning almost two decades. It may have helped if I had known of Lucy Grealy beforehand. She comes across as a person with many psychological issues, and there is a lot of depressing content in this book. I think I will stick with Patchett’s fiction in the future. ( )

A paean to the friendship of Lucy Grealey and Ann Patchett. Fascinating if you've read autobiography of a face. ( )