The Last Months with Patricia Highsmith: A Young Assistant's Memoir

The author recounts their experience as Patricia Highsmith's assistant during the novelist's final months, a time filled with suspense and complex emotions. Beginning with a chance encounter in Zurich, the author is drawn into Highsmith's unique world in Tegna, Switzerland. Highsmith's eccentric personality, frugal nature, and ambivalent treatment of the author create a sense of unease. Yet, through the mundane tasks and interactions, the author gradually uncovers the deep loneliness and yearning for love within the legendary writer, alongside her struggles with self-acceptance. This brief but profound experience provides a deeper understanding of the acclaimed author and offers fresh insight into the complexities of life and human nature.