CAPOTE'S WOMEN by Laurence Leamer
The gossipy story of the wealthy women who surrounded Truman Capote
I bought this book by Laurence Leamer last year and a few days ago, I felt “called” to pick it up. I believe there is a television series or film about Capote’s “Swans” - I haven’t seen it, but I might look for it now.
In short, I absolutely ripped through this book.
Truman Capote was possibly the most well-known American author of the mid/late twentieth century. A man whose reputation preceded him, Leamer’s book outlines his absolute desire to be seen as one of the elite in Manhattan and Europe. He deliberately sought and targeted the very wealthiest, socially elite women, such as Lee Radziwill (sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis), Gloria Guinness, Babe Paley and others. He ingratiated himself, becoming their closest confidante, and over the years travelled the world with them, living the high life and existing largely on their generosity.
Leamer writes like a dream. His prose is gossipy, in a way that feels salacious and other-worldly. Gossip is not my standard operation - I don’t participate in it and I don’t like it (I’m much more honest and to the point, no matter what, kinda gal). However, this felt exciting to read.
Actually, I could not put it down.
This is a world I know nothing of and which sounds, frankly, bloody awful. These women, despite their wealth and privilege, strike me as miserable and live lives that have little substances - barely engaged with their children, lived in unhappy marriages, involved in friendships and social occasions that are superficial at best, toxic at worst.
As a writer, Capote was unlike any other, and his book In Cold Blood changed the way true crime was written (and frankly, everything since owes its existence to that work). As a person, he was certainly unique - at a time where being openly gay was not something common, Capote was very, very openly gay. He was the definition of a queen; flamboyance personified. He was also an interminable gossip and, it turns out, deeply disloyal to those who were his benefactors. He stood by only those who stood by him, regardless of how he treated them - and often, that was poorly - and often after sucking them dry of goodwill.
This was an easy read. It is written in a compelling way that makes you keep turning the pages, well after bedtime! It also offers a unique insight into the lives of the ultra rich, the ultra famous and the uniquely talented.
Capote’s Women were fascinating. I recommend it to you.
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