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Swan Song
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
21 posts | 19 read | 34 to read
'A completely fascinating novel and a marvellously skillful re-imagining of real people, times and places. Outstanding.' -William Boyd They told him everything. He told everyone else. Over countless martini-soaked Manhattan lunches, they shared their deepest secrets and greatest fears. On exclusive yachts sailing the Mediterranean, on private jets streaming towards Jamaica, on Yucatn beaches in secluded bays, they gossiped about sex, power, money, love and fame. They never imagined he would betray them so absolutely. In the autumn of 1975, after two decades of intimate friendships, Truman Capote detonated a literary grenade, forever rupturing the elite circle hed worked so hard to infiltrate. Why did he do it, knowing what he stood to lose? Was it to punish them? To make them pay for their manners, money and celebrated names? Or did he simply refuse to believe that they could ever stop loving him? Whatever the motive, one thing remains indisputable: nine years after achieving wild success with In Cold Blood, Capote committed an act of professional and social suicide with his most lethal of weapons . . . Words. A dazzling debut about the line between gossip and slander, self-creation and self-preservation, SWAN SONG is the tragic story of the literary icon of his age and the beautiful, wealthy, vulnerable women he called his Swans. Writers write. And one cant be surprised if they write what they know.
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Kshakal
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Eggs Beautiful 🦢 1y
AnnCrystal 😍🦢 hauntingly beautiful 🦢😍 1y
26 likes2 comments
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LiseWorks
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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September 24 #IdiomInsight Swan Song. I didn't know what this meant until today. @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs 🦢🎶🤍 1y
13 likes1 comment
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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

This is about Truman Capote and his "swans" well know ladies in society who were very close to Capote. They told him all sorts of secrets and he then wrote about them in a book. I didn't know much about Capote to be honest and certainly nothing about this scandal. It was all quite interesting. I did google about all the women in the book to find out who they were. #books

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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Day 31 - Halloween! Wishing you a great night! #fallisbooked @OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy Halloween 🎃🧡🖤 5y
OriginalCyn620 Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🖤 5y
25 likes2 comments
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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Day 30 - Supernatural #fallisbooked
Sure this is definitely supernatural!

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚🖤😱 5y
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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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So this is my pile for November! I will pick out the first read from my tbr jar! I wonder what it will be!!
#tbr

Crazeedi Wow! Nice stack!! 5y
emmaturi Thanks! It is a mix of old and new books! @Crazeedi 5y
29 likes2 comments
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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Day 29 - #fallisbooked, next theme was #treats these are for tomorrow! Let's hope there will be some left!!
@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

OriginalCyn620 Yum! 😋 (edited) 5y
25 likes3 comments
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emmaturi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Day 27 - Costume, my son last year ready to trick or treat! #fallisbooked
@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😱😱😱 5y
OriginalCyn620 😱🖤 5y
26 likes2 comments
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JillR
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

The story of Truman Capote‘s Swans; the glamorous society women he surrounded himself with and then betrayed, this was difficult to get into - everyone has nicknames, I had no idea who anyone was or what was going on. But then the characters start to emerge, the narrative style makes more sense and I was completely immersed in the whole thing. Ended up not being able to put it down and am now fascinated by the complex character of Capote.

Jaimelire Have you read “Swans of Fifth Avenue”? If not, you might like it. Written by Melanie Benjamin. 5y
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ 5y
JillR @Jaimelire ooooooh no, thank you for the recommendation :) 5y
JillR @cathythoughts thank you :) 5y
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Emilymdxn
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

SO enjoyable and gave a very vivid sense of Truman Capote as a fascinating person as well as the periods he lived in. Felt very Fitzgerald-y at times, the way I was just desperate to go to all the parties even if I knew nobody there was doing very well in themselves. I‘m so obsessed with Capote now. Other than reading Breakfast at Tiffany‘s I knew nothing about him before, but he‘s such a unique character. Narrator was also incredible

marleed Oh I‘m fascinated too and started a thrifted Capote collection since reading The Swans of Fifth Ave. With that book I spent hours on google researching Babe Paley and company! 5y
youneverarrived I loved the narrator. And Capote is definitely a character! I started watching his interviews on YouTube after listening to this. Such a fascinating person. 5y
JillR I just finished this and my feelings are pretty much the same! I‘m planning to dust off an old copy of Breakfast at Tiffany‘s (so far unread) and hunt down In Cold Blood... 5y
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AnneCecilie
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Bailedbailed

I made it to p 73 of 467. I love big books, but the thought of reading more in this seems like too much. To be honest I wouldn‘t have picked this one up if it wasn‘t longlisted for The Women‘s Prize for Fiction this year. I‘m just not the right reader for this book, and I know others have loved this.

DivineDiana So sorry. 😕 6y
DrexEdit I did finish this one but I remember it being very hard to get into. The author's style was terse and too much was not explained. It is an interesting picture of Truman Capote, but I don't think you're missing all that much. 6y
AnneCecilie @DivineDiana These things happen, but it‘s a lot easier to bail on a library book than a book I‘ve bought. 6y
AnneCecilie @DrexEdit I‘ve never been that interested in Capote, so based on your comment I‘m glad I didn‘t force myself to read more. 6y
53 likes4 comments
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AnneCecilie
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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My current read. I‘m not feeling this one, and to be honest I‘m not sure I ever would have picked this up if it hadn‘t been longlisted for The Women‘s Prize for Fiction this year. When it wasn‘t on the shortlist my interest fell.

So, what to do?
Bail? I haven‘t bailed on a book in 20 yrs

Does the book get any better? I‘m currently on page 73.

Laughterhp How long is the book? If you are only on page 73 and considering bailing, you might just want to put it down! I bail on books all the time when I‘m not into them. 6y
readingjedi I loved this one! But if it's not grabbed you by now then bail. Life is short & there are lots of books 😉 6y
AnneCecilie @Laughterhp The book is some 460 p. and right now that seems like a lot. So I think I‘ll follow your advices and bail/ put it on hold for now. That‘s the good thing about lending books from the library, I don‘t have to feel bad for bailing. From your answer @readingjedi I take it that the style of the book doesn‘t change 6y
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youneverarrived
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

I had no idea about Capote and his ‘swans‘ & how he betrayed them after years of being their friend and confidante, by writing an article detailing their secrets etc. It was kind of sad how he basically self destructed after that. Such an intriguing person though. I don‘t think I would have enjoyed it as much in print form but the audio was perfect, the narrator did an excellent job. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cathythoughts Interesting review! Very good , I think I‘d go Audible if I read this 👍🏻♥️ 6y
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts I‘d definitely recommend the audio 👍 one of the best I‘ve listened to. 6y
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Verity
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

Loved this. Watch (metaphorically) Truman Capote self-destruct his personal and professional life through the eyes of the women whose secrets he exposed. V good.

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Verity
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Fresh book from the overflowing tbr-bookcase...

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charl08
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Truman Capote's social life reimagined in this rather grim novel.

35 likes2 stack adds
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Tashreads
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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There are not many book subscription boxes in Australia yet, but I‘m trying to hunt them down. This is a good one!

Reviewsbylola That cover is everything and the book itself sounds so good! 6y
JennyM Which one is that, Tash? Any good ones you come across let us know. Xx 6y
Tashreads @JennyM this is luxuread. Found it on instagram. I also have a book subscription with Bookabuy (for almost 3 years) which has been great. I find the pure book based subscription are more value for money. 6y
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JennyM @Tashreads I‘ve seen bookabuy about. Must be good if you‘ve kept your subscription for so long. 6y
LapReader Looks Devine. 6y
thegreensofa I just ordered a box from Relove. You inspired me! They send you 2 preloved books per month. I googled Aussie book boxes after I read your post! :) Wish me luck it was a bit of a blind gamble lol! 🙂📚💚 6y
Tashreads @thegreensofa oooh, I‘ll have to check them out. I‘m trying out a few then will decide. I like the idea of 2 books. Just hope they are in decent condition. Let me know please :) 6y
thegreensofa Hi @Tashreads I got my 1st package from Re-love today! I will post a photo but I got some organic tea, a handmade bookmark, a mindful book called ‘Focus‘, and a main book ‘The Flipside‘. The books are in excellent condition too! If you‘re interested they are at relove-print.cratejoy.com and you can use code ‘Charmayne‘. How is yours going? It‘s about time Australia got some subscription boxes I love it! 👏🏻 6y
Tashreads @thegreensofa oooh, sounds promising. I‘ll check them out. Thanks 😊. 6y
56 likes1 stack add9 comments
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readingjedi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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Pickpick

Apart from his works, I knew nothing about Truman Capote, his 'swans' or the Answered Prayers scandal so I have no idea how accurate events/depictions in Swan Song are. But as a fictionalized account this was an eye-opener. Capote comes across as a deeply intriguing character - his charisma is evident. I loved the stories of the swans, living lives of glamour & privilege but all lacking something that Capote supplied. Review continues in comments

readingjedi But despite the high class dining, designer clothes and society standing there is a feeling that something rotten lurks beneath. Betrayal, backstabbing and exploitation made this an absolutely fascinating read. The chorus voice of the swans and repetitive structure add to the unreliable nature of the narrative and suit the subject matter perfectly. Recommended. Photo credit: Cecil Beaton. 6y
Pamwurtzler Sounds interesting! The latest episode of the Annotated podcast is about Truman Capote. Have you read The Swans of Fifth Avenue? 6y
readingjedi @Pamwurtzler No I haven't but I probably will because I loved this one so much - especially the glamourous lifestyles of the swans. 6y
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mrsh62010 This photo is stunning 6y
BookwormM I read this as well and then looked at Wikipedia it seems the large events are true and YouTube has the video of “that interview” my issue with the book was it was the same gossip Capote was criticised for writing about and now all the Swans secret have been released to a new generation of readers part of me thinks they deserve to be left alone 6y
readingjedi @BookwormM Yes I watched "that interview" - I found it painful viewing. And you raise a very valid point - it would have been nice to find out about the swans without then immediately knowing their most personal problems. Specifically and especially Babe. 6y
104 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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readingjedi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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1. Funeral black (for the goth in me) and bubblegum pink (for the eternal 10 year old in me.)
2. Haven't watched TV for 3 years. A binge watch for me consists of enduring 3 back to back episodes of Family Fun Pack on YouTube (my 4 year old's favourite.)
3. My current read - to put faces to names.
4. Tomato ketchup. Classic. 🍔
5. Nothing exciting. Gardening & turning out the garage. Playing pretend with my daughter. A cold pale ale of an evening.

72 likes1 comment
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readingjedi
Swan Song | Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
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My next read. Thank you #netgalley

Gorgeous cover!

BookwormM This is my next read as well from Netgalley 🤣🤣 6y
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