Talk Softly: A Memoir

by Cynthia O'Neal

Actress and model Cynthia O'Neal was living her dream life—married to the famous stage and screen actor Patrick O’Neal, the mother of two young sons, resident of the Dakota downstairs from John Lennon, owner of the successful Ginger Man restaurant, and frequent guest at dinner parties with Leonard Bernstein and Rudolf Nureyev.
And then she changed course suddenly, surprisingly, and completely. The AIDS epidemic hit the arts community hard, and after seeing the multitude of people facing an unfamiliar and stigmatized disease completely alone, Cynthia walked into the fray. With the support of longtime friend Mike Nichols, she founded Friends in Deed and soon found herself spending her days in hospitals, cramped rooms, and dirty apartments, anywhere a patient needed a hug, a hand held, or confidence boosted. And when Patrick became ill and passed away in 1994, Cynthia had to work through her own grief instead of someone else’s and found her life transformed again.
Talk Softly is the story of a life well-lived—with passion and compassion, in celebration of the joy of each moment, and with the ability to surprise yourself when you least expect to.

Genres: Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I’m trying to learn more about the AIDS crisis in New York City. Found it completely by chance at Strand Bookstore. O’Neal’s life is both ordinary, glamorous, and kind of nuts and her decision to, out of the blue, support people dying of AIDS is really remarkable. The pieces of the book about Friends In Deed are really going to stay with me. There’s a lot of take away from this book, especially about how to be present and supportive for someone during times of great illness and death.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a raw and honest memoir written by Cynthia O'Neal, about her life with her husband stage and screen actor Patrick O'Neal, her children Fitz and Max, and her loving and endless support for those infected with the AIDS virus. Her story is amazing...even painful at times. She takes us through the early years of her marriage, the famous people that she has met and scores of friendships that she has had over the years. She is a steadfast friend to those in need, the bonds that she forms with people are strong. I hope one day that I will get to meet this wonderful woman...I feel as if I know her already, just by reading her book.

[David Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is about how Cynthia O'Neal went from being a model/actress/wife of a movie star to the founder of Friends in Deed, an amazing organization in NYC which provides services to people with life threatening illnesses, their famlies, friends, caregivers, and people who are grieving. Her story is painful, at times, and moving. The book is beautifully written and lovely to experience. It feels like an honor to spend time in her company. This is a book that has real life lessons to impart.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting! Brought back a lot of memories from another time, but also learned alot from reading it! Sometimes the switching back and forth of time periods was confusing, but I did not want to put it down until finished.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

i knew she was amazing, but this just proves it.

[Marcelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mentor.