Note: It's been some time since I finished the book, so I'm having some difficulty remembering it.
In Truth & Beauty, Ann Patchett described the unbreakable camaraderie between her and her best friend, Lucy Grealy -- from start to the bitter end. Reading a first-hand account of their bond gave me new perspective on friendship; I found it remarkable how friends can become true soulmates (without being in an actual relationship). I was able to relate extremely well to this book because the relationship between Ann and Lucy is very similar to friendships I've had in the past.
It was strange to see how Ann and Lucy's relationship changed throughout the book. Their paths first crossed when they went to school together at Sarah Lawrence College. Lucy was diagnosed with cancer as a young girl. The chemotherapy that was used to treat her ended up removing part of her jaw. Even after scores of reconstructive surgeries, part of her jaw was still missing. Essentially, it was her disfigured face that made her so famous in her town. It wasn't until they attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop that Ann and Lucy became close friends. Their companionship thrived on both their love for their writing and their love for eachother.
When I first began the book, I was under the impression that Ann was trying to make the reader feel sympathetic toward her, making her seem like the hardworking, practical one of the pair. Lucy was the outgoing one, always in the limelight, where Ann was more of a secondary character. Patchett seemed all too bitter to be the one in the shadows. While I continued with the book, I came to realize that while this was true for the most part, it wasn't a bad thing. Ann and Lucy truly completed eachother, which is what made their friendship really work. I guess that's what made them soulmates.
Years after, Lucy passed away when a heroin addiction overtook her life. It's quite apparent that losing someone who had been a head figure in your life wouldn't be an easy experience. Even though she is gone, Lucy's friendship with Ann still carries on. She's given Ann enough inspiration to last for the rest of her life. Soulmates don't die.
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