(Historical Fiction 1950s - 1970s) The Swans of Fifth Avenue
The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel
by Melanie Benjamin (Goodreads Author)
by Melanie Benjamin (Goodreads Author)
This book took me through the gamut of emotions. I began with
chuckles for the repartee among the 'swans'. The swans were the women
of New York City who you were likely to read about in the rotogravure or
on the society pages. They were the ones who set the standards for high
fashion and the best places to eat, have tea, get your hair done.
At the top of the list was Babe Paley, wife of Bill Paley, the CEO of CBS. Most of them had been married two or three times, usually marrying up on the social scale, because that's what they've been trained to do. Babe was the best with the makeup brushes and never allowed her own husband to see her without her full palette or with curlers in her hair.
Along comes Truman Capote. At first he was young, wore suits, and was an adorable little guy. He crashed the group and imagined himself as a larger-than-life beautiful male bird and the ladies were his swans. Through them he broke into high society and spent time in their vacation homes, on their yachts, and his only payments were the stories he told them. He was a story teller; that's how he earned his living, by writing short stories.
As time passed, Capote told each swan she was his favorite, though everyone knew his favorite was really Babe Paley. Soon Bill Paley was included and the strange trio seemed to be the best of friends. He began to dress garishly and to emphasis his fey traits.
After his success with IN COLD BLOOD, Truman hosted a black and white ball and the guest list was like something not seen before, including high fashion, high financiers, and big stars in the entertainment world.
Unable to write another book, Truman tried by writing about confidential things each swan had related to him, and a big split came.
By the time the tale ended, I was sobbing like a baby at the emptiness of it all. The good thing is it made me grateful for my little spot in the middle class.
I was given an ebook of this by Net Galley in return for an honest review. Without hesitation or apology, I give it five stars.
At the top of the list was Babe Paley, wife of Bill Paley, the CEO of CBS. Most of them had been married two or three times, usually marrying up on the social scale, because that's what they've been trained to do. Babe was the best with the makeup brushes and never allowed her own husband to see her without her full palette or with curlers in her hair.
Along comes Truman Capote. At first he was young, wore suits, and was an adorable little guy. He crashed the group and imagined himself as a larger-than-life beautiful male bird and the ladies were his swans. Through them he broke into high society and spent time in their vacation homes, on their yachts, and his only payments were the stories he told them. He was a story teller; that's how he earned his living, by writing short stories.
As time passed, Capote told each swan she was his favorite, though everyone knew his favorite was really Babe Paley. Soon Bill Paley was included and the strange trio seemed to be the best of friends. He began to dress garishly and to emphasis his fey traits.
After his success with IN COLD BLOOD, Truman hosted a black and white ball and the guest list was like something not seen before, including high fashion, high financiers, and big stars in the entertainment world.
Unable to write another book, Truman tried by writing about confidential things each swan had related to him, and a big split came.
By the time the tale ended, I was sobbing like a baby at the emptiness of it all. The good thing is it made me grateful for my little spot in the middle class.
I was given an ebook of this by Net Galley in return for an honest review. Without hesitation or apology, I give it five stars.
posted by Gayle LIN at 3:51 PM
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