Such Good Friends, Stephen Greco
Such Good Friends, Stephen Greco
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Such Good Friends
A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwil

Author: Stephen Greco

Narrator: Erin Bennett

Unabridged: 15 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/23/2023


Synopsis

THE CAN'T MISS READ-ALONG FOR FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS!

"Fans of Capote and the era of Camelot should be delighted." —Shana Abé, New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor

"A rollicking ride that's equal parts gossip, tenderness and emotional truth." —Janet Somerville, The Toronto Star

A must-read for fans of Truman Capote and Jackie Kennedy, this star-studded, evocative novel revels in the glamor, gossip, and casual betrayal of 1960s and '70s high society New York and the socialite "swans" that ruled this scandalous world.

On a Thursday morning in May 1961, a well-mannered twenty-one-year-old named Marlene enters the Fifth Avenue apartment of Lee Radziwill to interview for the position of housekeeper and cook. The stylish wife of London-based Prince Stanislaw Radziwill, Princess Lee is intelligent and creative, with ambitions beyond simply jet-setting. But to the public, she is always First Lady Jackie Kennedy's little sister.

As Marlene becomes a trusted presence in the Radziwill household, she observes the dazzling array of famous figures who flit in and out of Lee’s intimate circle, including Gloria Vanderbilt, Rudolf Nureyev, Jackie and the President, Ari Onassis, Gore Vidal, Andy Warhol, and, most regularly, celebrated author Truman Capote. At the height of his fame following the success of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman has granted Lee place of honor in his flock of glamorous socialite "swans."

Their closeness stems from an unexpected kinship. Both know too well the feeling of being second-best. Seeing his shadow in the woman he refers to as his most unconventional swan, Truman uses his influence and talent to try and make Lee a star.

Their bond deepens through the decade’s extraordinary events, from JFK's assassination to the era-defining Black and White Ball. But Marlene, who Truman has taken under his wing as an aspiring writer, can see Truman's darker side—especially his penchant for mining his friends' private lives for material. And there are betrayals on either side that may signal the end not just of a friendship, but of the shared expectation that wealth and fame can shield against every heartbreak.

About Stephen Greco

Stephen Greco is a novelist, journalist, media executive, editor, dramatist, and executive director of the Ferro-Grumley Literary Awards, which he cofounded in 1988. He is a regular contributor to the magazine Upstate Diary and has contributed as a feature writer and editor to numerous publications, including Interview magazine, New York magazine, Air Mail, the Advocate, American Way, Art News, Dance Magazine, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Latina, the London Observer, Stagebill, and the New York Times online. He is currently the editorial director of InsideRisk, an immersive experiential event company, and his theatrical writing includes several works produced by the entertainment company and multimedia studio Giants Are Small. He previously served as founding director of content for Classical TV and is a frequent panelist and speaker on cultural and branding issues. Stephen Greco lives in Brooklyn, New York.


Reviews

Goodreads review by PamG on February 05, 2024

Such Good Friends – A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwill by Stephen Greco is a fascinating historical fiction novel largely set in New York City. It starts with Marlene arriving at Lee Radziwill’s apartment to interview for the position of housekeeper and cook. As she becomes a trusted part......more

Goodreads review by Annette on December 12, 2022

Such Good Friends reimagines the friendship between Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill, sister of Jackie Kennedy. It is related through Marlene, who becomes a housekeeper at Radziwill household. As the story explores this relationship, it reveals the inner circles of the upper crust with their luxuriou......more

Goodreads review by Karren on May 25, 2023

Marlene is employed as a housekeeper by Lee Radziwill in 1961, she’s only twenty one and previously worked for an elderly lady. Her duties include doing the laundry and making beds, she's in charge of the kitchen, dining and entertaining areas. Caroline Radziwill is married to Prince Stanislaw Radzi......more