The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel. Melanie Benjamin. Random House Publishing
Group. January 2016. 368 pp. ISBN#:
9780345528698.
1975
is the final year when Truman Capote is at the height of his success, having
published the well-known nonfiction books, In
Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s,
as well as numerous stories, plays and other articles. In the 50’s and 60’s he has gathered around
him a coterie of socially powerful, famous but challenged woman. Beloved by these women, whose fragile natures
he has emotionally healed and strengthened, Truman at first is bolstered by
their admiration, indeed adoration.
Their fragility, however, simply mirrors Truman’s own inner
turmoil. This is their volatile story!
First
we meet Barbara (“Babe”) Cushing Mortimer Paley, a stylish trend setter who is
married to a top executive of CBS, William S. Paley, devourer of women and autocratic
businessman feared by all. Even he is
enamored of Truman but the anomaly here is that Babe really doesn’t care about
his opinion of “True Heart” Truman because for the first time in her life she
knows what it’s like to love and be loved.
This will prove to be a catastrophic surrender on her part.
We
next meet Marella Agnelli, C. Z. Guest, Gloria Guiness, Pamela Churchill
Harriman and Slim Keith, who have all told Truman their deepest, darkest
secrets. They represent the trendsetters of the period and those who love the
world of fashion, beauty, style will love the numerous descriptions of these
ladies’ dress, makeup and food preferences.
What begins as meeting for champagne and hors oeuvres will degenerate
over time into drinking and pills. Unity
and love o so slowly evolves into whispered, malign comments arising from
unacknowledged jealousy. Money and
power, however, rule the day and their secrets are secure until one momentous
day of betrayal by their best friend, Truman!
What
begins as a delicious and amusing bonding of these friends, whose daily
concerns are about perfect appearances, rapidly becomes a cruel expose that
breaks all concerned but especially one declining character! Truman himself is transformed in ways that
startle readers, a picture so far from one would have imagined when starting
this story.
This
novel is supposedly based on reality and as such stands as the iconic tale, a
period piece of literary, historical fiction.
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
depicts the fashionistas of the mid-20th Century! Remarkable
fiction!
