Capote's Women

A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era

By: Laurence Leamer

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

DON’T MISS FX’s FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS—THE ORIGINAL SERIES BASED ON THE BESTSELLING BOOK—NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON HULU!

New York Times bestselling author Laurence Leamer reveals the complex web of relationships and scandalous true stories behind Truman Capote's never-published final novel, Answered Prayers—the dark secrets, tragic glamour, and Capote's ultimate betrayal of the group of female friends he called his "swans."

“There are certain women,” Truman Capote wrote, “who, though perhaps not born rich, are born to be rich.” Barbara “Babe” Paley, Gloria Guinness, Marella Agnelli, Slim Hayward, Pamela Churchill, C. Z. Guest, Lee Radziwill (Jackie Kennedy’s sister)—they were the toast of midcentury New York, each beautiful and distinguished in her own way. Capote befriended them, received their deepest confidences, and ingratiated himself into their lives. Then, in one fell swoop, he betrayed them in the most surprising and startling way possible.

Bestselling biographer Laurence Leamer delves into the years following the acclaimed publication of Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1958 and In Cold Blood in 1966, when Capote struggled with a crippling case of writer’s block. While en­joying all the fruits of his success, he was struck with an idea for what he was sure would be his most celebrated novel…one based on the re­markable, racy lives of his very, very rich friends.

For years, Capote attempted to write An­swered Prayers, what he believed would have been his magnum opus. But when he eventually published a few chapters in Esquire, the thinly fictionalized lives (and scandals) of his closest fe­male confidantes were laid bare for all to see, and he was banished from their high-society world forever. Laurence Leamer re-creates the lives of these fascinating swans, their friendships with Capote and one another, and the doomed quest to write what could have been one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century.

VERY entertaining non fiction

Highly recommend this if you love non-fiction. About Truman Capote and his "Swans," socialites of the 50s and 60s. Full of glamor and cunning, these women climbed to the top of society--but many were ultimately unhappy once at the top. This parallels Capote's literary career. It was very entertaining--loved listening to it on auditable.

Delicious from start to finish!

This is a fascinating read that keeps you engaged. It’s dishy, and sometimes catty, yes….but also sad. There’s always more to see behind the image that is portrayed in public.

Women are used as trophies and discarded like old newspaper while rich men are hunted like sport fish. Wealth doesn’t equate to love, kindness or even security. In listening to this book, a lot of the people are lonely and insecure, looking for love in all the wrong places with the wrong people.

The narrator was excellent and wonderful to listen to. Definitely worth a second or third listen.

Engulfing

From the moment I started listening I was hooked. Carrington MacDuffie was spot on in her narration of Leamer's writing as a perfect compliment to each other's talents. If you are a fan of historical nonfiction of the mid century modern age, put this on your must read list.

Entertaining and Interesting

Enjoyable informative book. especially if you are interested in the history of that era. loads of interesting gossip.

Great Segues

This is more a book of each of the swans and their personal stories as much as it is about Trump. It intertwines with how they meet Truman and how they eventually become one of his “swans”.