Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 17, Lucy went to AA and Narcotics Anonymous to no avail. Ann used to hear from Lucy every day, but now she went weeks without hearing from her. Lucy had a cycle where she swore to Ann she would stop heroin, but then would continue taking it. Lucy had good days too, where she was happy and talked with her psychiatrist. Lucy refused to lie to Ann and said she was doing heroin. In February 2002, Lucy slit her wrists. She was admitted to the hospital. Lucy recovered. She called Ann once in a while and lied by telling her she was writing.

Meanwhile, Ann's fourth novel Bel Canto was a bestseller. Ann went to an award dinner and Lucy was high and embarrassed her the whole night. Lucy was fired from her teaching job in Bennington. Lucy lost her apartment...