The Swans of Fifth Avenue

Historically accurate, socially compelling and emotionally intriguing, The Swans of Fifth Avenue written by Melanie Benjamin does not disappoint.  Benjamin has written another fabulous plot based on the real lives of Truman Capote and the women he called his swans.  Benjamin has captured the glorified society and the lifestyles dripping with wealth that Truman Capote was desperate to be apart of.

Truman Capote came from nothing.  He was a sad, bitter man raised by a mother who did not love him.  He comes to New York with so much emotional baggage to find the fame and love denied him through out his life.  It was never enough.  Though he is in a relationship with a someone who loves him it is not enough.  He writes Breakfast at Tiffany's and then In Cold Blood and develops some success and a following from that success.  It is not enough. He creates a persona that is surrounded by and socializing with the beautiful people of New York society, it is all never enough to fill the hole left by his mother's lack of love for him.

We are also introduced to all the "Swans".  Gloria Guinness, who came to New York from Mexico, Nancy Gross whose married name is Keith and answers to the nickname "Slim" from California. Barbara Cushing Paley nicknamed, "Babe", Marella Agnelli and C.Z. Guest.

Babe Paley was an icon for American fashion and style.  She was a major player in the New York society scene attending important charity social functions and socializing at exclusive clubs.  Her unconventional fashion style was inspirational many women who copied her clothing and makeup.

Benjamin uses her knowledge of the facts surrounding the characters in this story to create the dialog and emotions fleshing out the story of how Truman infiltrated New York society and then was shunned by the same company that had so recently included him.  It happens after he writes the beginning of his newest novel, Answered Prayers, which appears in the "The New Yorker" magazine. When his friends start to recognize themselves int he story they feel Truman has gone too far.  That is the end of his relationship with the "Swans".

These are women who work hard to cover up the the person they really are with all their flaws with clothing and make-up.  To project the ideal woman they want to portray to the world of the wealthy class, perfectly made -up, with the latest fashion eating at the best restaurants drinking champagne.

One of the women describes how they feel and think so well when she says, "All those men, those Hollywood men, those legends - how they'd all fallen for her, every one, and she'd pretended to be embarrassed or shy or confused or surprised.  But she wasn't; she had made them all fall in love with her by being her truest self to the point that it became a costume she put on in the morning, mask she slipped over her head."

A beautifully painted picture of the times and the characters who lived this fairy tale lifestyle.  The money that made their lives so easy, exciting and glamorous.  A way of life that has disappeared.