Capote's Women

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

By: Laurence Leamer

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2021 Laurence Leamer (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of NY Post’s 35 Best Book Gifts for Everyone on Your 2021 Holiday List

One of NY Post’s Must-Have Books for Fall 2021

One of Town & Country’s Must-Read Books of Fall

One of Wall Street Journal’s 12 Books to Read for October 2021

One of Garden & Gun's Favorite Books of 2021

One of PopSugar’s October Must-Reads

“Babe Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest...they were the stars of '50s and '60s society. They were also the women Truman Capote loved, flattered—and betrayed. A fascinating look at their world.”—People

"Laurence Leamer deftly tells the stories of the stylish, glamorous women whose trust Capote cultivated and then betrayed. Mr. Leamer has delivered a fast-paced, sensitive tale of the swans, their tumultuous lives and their dismay at Capote’s treachery.”—Wall Street Journal

“In this delicious dissection of the writer and the women he befriended, Laurence Leamer uncovers what it meant to let Capote into your inner circle, how each of these women found friendship and frustration with him, and what happened when he committed the ultimate betrayal.”—Town & Country

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”.

A Wonderful Exploration of a Rare time in History

A wonderful delivered and Riveting dissection of “The”society of the ‘50s and 60s with a look at the celebrated and sordid life of Truman Capote, a jester for the Swans.

It’s ok

Author went on tangents that had nothing to do with Truman’s swans. Pretty boring overall

great/interesting listen

The book gives a great insight into the very unique, ridiculous, and glamorous lives of the women Capote surrounded himself with as well as his own intimate life (that was quite ridiculous in its own ways). Reading about such overstated wealth is definitely odd but this book brings you into their world of complicated relationships, high society lives, and how no amount of money or fame can truly buy happiness.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

I decided to read this book to prepare for the upcoming series...and this book did not disappoint. Glamorous, stylish and wealthy beyond our wildest dreams...these women are fascinating. I loved the division of each chapter and the juxtaposition of Truman Capote's life. This is a great book.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

Great story. Great pacing. Well told and performed. I can’t believe how quickly I got through it. Although quite in depth, it really whetted my appetite for the topic…so I’m off to find more books!