Help! Part time job #27, where I facilitate a book discussion group for healthcare professionals at my local hospital, has asked me to lead a talk on Lucy Grealy's Autobiography of a Face. Can I do so without mentioning Ann Patchett's Truth and Beauty ?
My friends argue that including only Lucy's story is giving half the picture, especially since Patchett has written the Afterword on the new paperback edition; her voice and vision now firmly attached to Grealy's story, she has clearly entered the conversation.
I say, "Hey, we all read Lucy's book and loved it BEFORE her death, BEFORE Patchett's book, certainly it can stand alone!" (though I admit: I loved Patchett's book, read it in one sitting, a guilty wonderful pleasure, and consider it a definitive work about the difficult terrain of women's friendships.)
So, what do I tell the 22 doctors and other healthcare providers who want to talk about the book? Do they get the backstory of Lucy's life— the needy and cloying portrait of a brilliant and troubled writer—or do I stick with the facts, as Lucy presented them in her book? Please advise.
umm...and while we're on the subjects of ethics: is it cool to use your likeness on my blog?
xxoo, The Happy Booker
Okay, I'll weigh in. The work stands alone.
And in reference to your last question: talk to me.
Posted by: yve | March 02, 2005 at 10:08 AM
You may feel better if you don't mention Patchett's book, but you'll have more fun if you do.
Posted by: Scott | March 02, 2005 at 10:31 AM
I think it's an elephant in the drawing room. You have to talk about it, if only to explain why you aren't going to talk about it. Randy is fine with the image as long as you don't go in Paint and give him devil horns.
Posted by: Joshilyn | March 03, 2005 at 10:39 AM
I'm a few days late to comment,but I think you have to mention Patchett's book. It's such a lovely paen to their friendship and touches on love, writing and faith. It's one of the best books I read last year.
Hey, isn't this lit blog thing fun? As a fellow new blogger, welcome, and please visit me some time.
Posted by: Frances | March 08, 2005 at 08:28 PM
That's not my likeness, that's my logo.
Posted by: Randy Cohen | March 10, 2005 at 12:56 AM
Why not also add Suellen Grealy's Guardian article on Patchett's book? And the conversation on "Illness and Narrative Identity" (scroll down) from the "http://www.narrativemedicine.org/conference.html" Narrative Medicine Conference? There's a lot to discuss about the ethics and reliability of Patchett's project, which could be made very interesting to the HCP's.
Posted by: Josh Lukin | March 10, 2005 at 04:56 PM