Truth & Beauty

A Friendship

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Ann Patchett

The author of Bel Canto, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Orange Prize, and long-running New York Times best seller, turns to nonfiction in a moving chronicle of her decades-long friendship with the critically acclaimed and recently deceased author, Lucy Grealy.

What happens when the person who is your family is someone you aren't bound to by blood? What happens when that person is not your lover, but your best friend? In her frank and startlingly intimate first work of nonfiction, Truth & Beauty, Ann Patchett shines light on the little-explored world of women's friendships and shows us what it means to stand together.

Ann Patchett and 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 her critically acclaimed memoir, Autobiography of a Face, Lucy Grealy wrote about the first half of her life. 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 20 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.

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

Don't miss our free Ann Patchett interview. Patchett is an Audible CelebrityListener - find out what she's listening to here.©2004 Ann Patchett (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Alex Award Winner, 2005

"This gorgeously written chronicle unfolds as an example of how friendships can contain more passion and affection than any in the romantic realm." (Publishers Weekly)
"An electrifyingly intimate portrait of a remarkable human being, and a profoundly insightful chronicle of an incandescent friendship." (Booklist)

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

Best Patchett book so far

Clean, beautiful writing told perfectly by the author. Memoir such as this seems, to me, to be Ann Patchett’s forte. It’s the first of her books that I can honestly give five out of five stars.

From the heart

This is a description of true love and friendship. Well written and captivating story. I am glad Ann saved her letters and shared this story. Loved it!

Not my favorite Anne Patchett novel.

Redundant writing about Lucy wanting a love life and the descriptions of Lucy’s physical ailments.

Tragic story, narrated beautifully

The early days of an enduring friendship to the last days of one of the friend's passing. Overcoming much adversity throughout. The narration by Ann Patchett was so important to the telling of the story. A great listen, and heartbreaking.

Excellent audiobook

I've listened to about 40 books since joining Audible, and this is one of my favorites. I love the author's voice, and the writing is wonderful--nothing too showy or flowery, just a really nice use of language. I do suggest that you read "Autobiography of a Face" before you listen to this book.