, by Ann Patchett. I'm almost at the end of it. I googled Lucy Grealy to see if I had ever seen her on TV or was familiar with her work. She did strike me as familiar, but I'm not sure if that is my mind playing a trick on me. I also came across an article her sister, Suellen, had written in the Guardian as a response to Truth and Beauty. While Ann's work is a beautiful description of a friendship between two very accomplished, creative women; Suellen's response comes across a sister bitter about her sibling's fame and friendships. She resorts to comments clearly meant to hurt Ann.
It must be very difficult to have your sister's death be as public as Lucy's. Suellen's response reveals more than just that difficulty though. She is upset about her how her family was protrayed in Lucy's memoir. She is upset about the death of her father and sister; about her mother and brother who struggle with mental illness; about friends, other than Ann, who appartently stole Lucy's belongings. But she has a special cruelity for Ann when she mentions that Lucy tossed Taft aside when she received it. This along with the naked comment that Ann is a less gifted writer than Lucy who was just sharing the spotlight makes her come across as no more than a bitter woman.
Ann clearly admired Lucy greatly; she valued and was proud of their friendship. With Truth and Beauty I wish I had known Lucy, had read her memoir when I was in highschool or college...(instead of putting it on my reading list at 30). With Suellen's essay, I just hope Suellen has found peace and forgiveness. It doesn't compel me to read Lucy's work or seek out her interviews on the web. It makes me pity Suellen for being so bitter. Lucy wasn't only her family's to grieve. Ann's work manages to celebrate Lucy (honestly or not only those close to them can say) and allow Lucy's readers to be a part of that. Since Lucy was writer, I can't imagine a more honoring tribute.
So, if you're listening, read Truth and Beauty...it's good.
1 comment:
I've been meaning to read this for a while. I remembered something about Lucy's family's anger at Ann Patchett, but the visciousness surprises me. Thanks for adding to my interest.
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