Talk Softly

By Cynthia O'Neal

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158322906X
• ISBN13: 9781583229064
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 3.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book

I couldn't put the book down. Having had the honor of experiencing Cy in person, in the big groups at Friends In Deed, I can only say that she is truly a magnificent person, who has created a place where anyone dealing with life's challenges can come and feel safe and part of a community. I can't say enough about Cy, about Friends In Deed, and about the book. Just read it and give copies to friends. I have learned more about love, kindness and strength in the few years I've been coming to FID (and to the Mastery) than I learned in my whole life.

Moving and Memorable

This is a deeply personal story of one woman making a real difference to the world. Founded at a very scary time when AIDS was wreaking much fear and suffering, Friends in Deed was a powerful way to let people know they were not alone by providing them with both pragmatic and spiritual support. FID founder Cynthia O' Neal has helped many faced with life-threatening illness realize just how special they are--and how united we all are in life's winding journey. This memoir is a page-turning testament that one person can have a profound impact. Above all, Ms. O' Neal's tale is very real and full of quirk and foibles. I'm touched that she so openly shares her doubts and challenges. Her accounts of her own struggles remind us we don't have to aim for perfection, we just have to give life our best shot. If we do, truly great things can happen. This is a fascinating tale told with great wit, insight--and above all--style. A book that will stay with you for a very long time...

Beautiful to experience...

What a pleasure it is to be in Cynthia O'Neal's company. She is an inspiration and reading her book is a beautiful experience.

A PROFOUNDLY IMPORTANT BOOK FOR ALL OF US!!!!!

THIS CYNTHIA O'NEAL IS A MAGICAL HUMAN BEING WHO PUTS THE MOST COMPASSIONATE EFFORTS AND HEART FELT GENEROSITY INTO HELPING THOSE IN OUR SOCIETY WITH THE HEARTBREAK OF CANCER, AIDS AND LOSS. SHE IS A SPECTACULAR HUMAN BEING FULL OF WISDOM, SMARTS, BASIC TRUTHS, AND TOTAL LOVE FOR ANYONE SHE IS HELPING AND PROTECTING. THIS WONDERFUL BOOK IS A RECORD OF HER REMARKABLE JOURNEYS THAT HAVE SAVED MANY, MANY LIVES AND EVEN MORE SOULS. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK; IT WILL MAKE YOU GROW AND GLO. JOE ARMSTRONG NEW YORK, NY

Talk Softly----worth reading

This is an incredible woman's story about AIDS in the 90's and a life well lived. I cannot imagine how somebody wouldn't receive some benefit from reading Talk Softly, by Cynthia O'Neal. This is a small book for your day at the beach this summer.