The Swans of Fifth Avenue

I have read and enjoyed so many of Melanie Benjamin’s books now that I never doubted I would read – and like – The Swans of Fifth Avenue. What was different about this book from her previous works, at least for me, is that I was previously unfamiliar with Babe Paley (as opposed to the Lindberghs, for example), and remained completely disinterested in her (unlike Mrs. Tom Thumb, for instance).

Swans is Benjamin’s recreation of Truman Capote’s friendship with – and ultimately betrayal of – Bill and Babe Paley circa mid-nineteenth century. I found Bill Paley, founder and chairman of CBS, to be the most interesting character. Benjamin’s portrayal of Capote made me dislike him immensely. I should add that what I knew about Capote previously can be summed up by the following: from Alabama, related to Harper Lee, author of In Cold Blood, gay. Certainly Benjamin colors in this portrait more completely; I just didn’t care for him.

The most wonderful attribute of the book is Benjamin’s writing. Her language is beautiful, her sentences well designed, her paragraphs a delight to read. It is rare that I have the pleasure of reading such marvelously crafted words from the opening page to the closing one. Although I can’t recommend Swans as heartily as either Alice I Have Been or The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, it is a very good read and the hesitation on my part stems entirely from my previously mentioned disinterest in the characters rather than Benjamin’s work.