Talk Softly: A Memoir

(Hardback)

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Actress, model and wife of Ryan O'Neal, Cynthia was living the dream life - married to a famous Hollywood star, mother of two young sons, resident of The Dakota and owner of the successful Ginger Man restaurant. Then things changed suddenly. The AIDS epidemic hit the arts community hard. But with the support of longtime friend Mike Nicholas Cynthia founded Friends in Deed. Talk softly is the story of a life well-lived - with compassion and passion, in celebration of the joy of each moment and with the ability to surprise oneself when it's least expected.

Reviews

Offers an almost microscopic look at a group of people suffering from the virus as well as those around them Talk Softlyis and will remain a captivating story of both forfeiture and triumph. Micah McCary, Bookslut


Talk Softlyis the story of how compassion can take over a life One cannot read this book without wanting, in the most gentle way, to do better, live better, and be better. Her story has stayed very much with me, a fine spirit to have around. Susan Minot


Talk Softlyis a beautifully written memoir of a 'noisy life,' intricately structured, heartbreaking as well as joyous, and tense as a thriller. With its wide cast of charactersfrom cultural icons to the even more wondrous portraits of Archie and Brazilian John and Pamela and many others (people seldom, if ever, written about)it is a deeply moving portrait of our time. I keep thinking that this is what civilization means. Michael Ondaatje


Cynthia O'Neal has written an amazing memoir. On one level it's about her bittersweet marriage to the charismatic actor Patrick O'Neal. On another its how beautiful, gallant Cynthia went from being an enabler to a truly exceptional healer at Friends In Deed, the AIDS crisis center in New York This is a book about kindness, compassion and patience. As Cynthia says, 'Were all here just doing the best we can with the predicament that is life.' Patricia Bosworth


This utterly winning book seems to sweep up the most devastating years of the AIDS epidemic and simply hold them, as if Cynthia O'Neals embrace is so capacious that she can somehow contain the suffering of every man and woman during those murderous times, the terrible erasures and also the unforgettable instances of courage and tenderness and loyalty. Nothing has escaped her gaze, and nothing seems outside her enormous, indelible compassion. Mark Doty

Author Bio

Born in Los Angeles, CYNTHIA O'NEAL modeled and appeared in films, including Carnal Knowledge and Primary Colors. In 1991 she founded Friends in DeedThe Crisis Center for Life-Threatening Illnesswhich has helped transform many thousands of lives by providing emotional and spiritual support for anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening physical illnesses, where all services are free of charge. O'Neal currently lives in New York City.