The Swans of Fifth Avenue

A Novel

By: Melanie Benjamin

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Paul Boehmer

New York Times best seller

The author of The Aviator's Wife returns with a triumphant new novel about New York's "Swans" of the 1950s - and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley.

People’s Book of the Week • USA Today’s number-one “New and Noteworthy” Book • Entertainment Weekly’s Must List • LibraryReads Top Ten Pick

Of all the glamorous stars of New York high society, none blazes brighter than Babe Paley. Her flawless face regularly graces the pages of Vogue, and she is celebrated and adored for her ineffable style and exquisite taste, especially among her friends - the alluring socialite Swans Slim Keith, C. Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, and Pamela Churchill. By all appearances, Babe has it all: money, beauty, glamour, jewels, influential friends, a prestigious husband, and gorgeous homes. But beneath this elegantly composed exterior dwells a passionate woman - a woman desperately longing for true love and connection.

Enter Truman Capote. This diminutive, golden-haired genius with a larger-than-life personality explodes onto the scene, setting Babe and her circle of Swans aflutter. Through Babe, Truman gains an unlikely entrée into the enviable lives of Manhattan's elite along with unparalleled access to the scandal and gossip of Babe's powerful circle. Sure of the loyalty of the man she calls "True Heart", Babe never imagines the destruction Truman will leave in his wake. But once a storyteller, always a storyteller - even when the stories aren't his to tell.

Truman's fame is at its peak when such notable celebrities as Frank and Mia Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, and Rose Kennedy converge on his glittering Black and White Ball. But all too soon, he'll ignite a literary scandal whose repercussions echo through the years. The Swans of Fifth Avenue will seduce and startle listeners as it opens the door onto one of America's most sumptuous eras.

Praise for The Swans of Fifth Avenue

“Exceptional storytelling...teeming with scandal, gossip and excitement.” (Harper’s Bazaar)

“This moving fictionalization brings the whole cast of characters back to vivid life. Gossipy and fun, it’s also a nuanced look at the beauty and cruelty of a rarefied, bygone world.” (People)

“The era and the sordid details come back to life in this jewel of a novel.” (O: The Oprah Magazine)

©2015 Melanie Benjamin (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"The strange and fascinating relationship between Truman Capote and his 'swans' is wonderfully reimagined in this engrossing novel. It's a credit to Benjamin that we end up caring so much for these women of power, grace, and beauty - and for Capote, too." (Sara Gruen, New York Times best-selling author of Water for Elephants)

"Benjamin convincingly portrays a large cast of colorful historical figures while crafting a compelling, gossipy narrative with rich emotional depth." (Library Journal)

“Shamelessly gossipy...a catty, juicy read that’s like a three-martini lunch.”(USA Today)

Too long

Interesting background story but it felt like a more detailed retelling of a gossip column series. Way too many descriptions of Babe Paley's makeup routine and overuse of the swan metaphor. I found the authors note at the end most frustrating when she states that all her subjects were liars in real life, so she can make up whatever she wants about them. Disrespectful to her subjects. Disappointed in the book overall. Should have been about 1/3 shorter.

Lovely glimpseInto a different world

The narrator did an impressive job of making this story come to life. It was initially hard for me to get into as high society of that era is not my world but as I caught up I came to care for the swans and Capote. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but it was a good listen.

Great!

Loved the female voice, male's was somewhat distracting. Great story, I wanted to learn more of the background after reading

Tremendously entertaining - a confectionary tale!

I listen to books while walking. This one may have cost me what remains of the cartilage in my knees. I did not want it to end.

I look forward to searching this author’s works for the next one. I’ll save it for when I want to drop another 5 pounds!

The Swans 🦢 of course.

The book flowed well, the added voices are just about outstanding! Wish there were more to read.

Great book!!

Loved this book although a lot of it was fictional loved learning and imagining about NY socialite in the 50s & 60s a lot of good info and biographical facts! Would recommend to everyone!

A fun , juicy read . . .

What a delicious NY gossip romp for my generation through the sharp eyes of Capote!

Wonderful story and performance.

Loved it! Great well developed story and excellent performances. I recommend this audio book highly

Dishy

It is gossipy & it does want you to learn how true was this fictional account. The author has a way with invented conversations that give you a feeling of their authenticity. A good & fast read.

Loved the glimpse into high society.

Loved this glimpse into high society even though it involved a loathsome man. Great listen.