The autobiography of a face cliff notes

Through it all, Lucy deals with a mother, who is afraid for her child's life and faces it in her own way - by showing no fear to Lucy. She encourages Lucy to do the same, and Lucy valiantly tries not to cry, feeling a sense of failure whenever she does give in to the emotions or tears.

The autobiography of a face cliff notes: Autobiography of a Face is a

Back in school periodically over the three years of treatments and surgeries, Lucy is tormented by other children. She withdraws and works to convince herself that she doesn't need a boyfriend. Even into adulthood, she admits that her life is on hold as she waits for a new face - the face she deserves - to be achieved by the doctors. Lucy misses a great deal of school but continues on through college, initially planning to attend medical school but eventually settling for poetry.

She "finds herself" somewhat in college but continues to feel that the lack of a boyfriend and sex, is a gaping hole that makes her life incomplete. She does eventually meet someone, but the relationship ends abruptly and coincides with another failed reconstruction attempt. After college, she spends some time abroad, taking advantage of the time to write and to come to terms with herself.

She locates yet another plastic surgeon, and this time the process meets with more success. It's only then that she realizes that she doesn't have to continue to have her life on hold.

The autobiography of a face cliff notes: At school, Lucy is regularly teased

In the early stages of the disease and treatment, she does not comprehend the significance or the implications of her condition. After more than two years of surgeries, radiation treatment, and intensive chemotherapy, she realizes the impact of the illness and disfigurement. The narrative incorporates several childhood events. Her awareness of people staring at her face, her attempts to hide her face with her hair, and a feeling of joy on Halloween, when she could mask her face are heart-wrenching.

The book describes the impact of Lucy's disease on her family relationships. Lucy belongs to an Irish immigrant family that copes with displacement. They face economic difficulties too. Lucy's mother raises five children, battles depression, and endures the agony of Lucy's illness.

The autobiography of a face cliff notes: In Autobiography of a

She undergoes plastic surgery to fix the disfigurement but it is largely unsuccessful. Lucy seems unaware of the danger she is in at first, but after two years of treatments and several unsuccessful plastic surgeries, she comes to terms with the full weight of her diagnoses. Along with this realization, she gains enough self-consciousness to realize that other people find her ugly.

This truth dawns on her with a slow shock and she begins to avoid seeing her reflection in the mirror, going out in public, or doing anything that reminds her of her own disfigurement. During this period, Lucy must also face the fallout from her diagnosis within her own family. She pushes her daughter to remain strong and stoic.

The autobiography of a face cliff notes: The Autobiography of a

Although this seems like the best choice at the time, it disables Lucy from addressing her own emotions. She worries about disappointing her mother every time she cries or expresses her fear. When she returns to school, Lucy must deal with the aftermath of her treatments. ReadingGroupGuides - Autobiography of a Face Offers reading group guides containing a brief summary and discussion questions written by the publisher.

Most helpful for thinking of essay topics and potential topics for a book discussion. Does not provide detailed analysis. KirkusReviews - Autobiography of a Face Kirkus Reviews tend to be brief, only two or three paragraphs long.