The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott

I ordered this from Book Depository. Can't wait to read it! :)

Has anyone read this? I seem to have acquired it on Netgalley but am wondering whether to pass - doesn't really appeal and feels one of those books where one probably needs to do some work to be able to read it (I know nothing about Truman Capote).

I read it a while ago. Some knowledge of Capote probably helps and I watched a few YouTube clips while reading it. It uses a first person plural narrator at several points which just didn’t work for me but might be what others like most about it.

I have a NetGalley and library copy so will give it a try soon.

If I do read it I am tempted to maintain my state of complete ignorance (I genuinely have no idea who he is) and see if the novel works if approached in that way.

Surprised you haven’t heard of him Paul....his work must not cross the Atlantic well! His “In Cold Blood” is arguably the most well-known true crime novel in the USA, plus a prizewinning movie. I won’t say any more so you can retain your innocence while reading. On my TBR so interested to know your reaction.

Paul wrote: "Has anyone read this? I seem to have acquired it on Netgalley but am wondering whether to pass - doesn't really appeal and feels one of those books where one probably needs to do some work to be ab..."

I'm sort of hoping that the film Capote (staring the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote) will suffice

Won’t give too much away but Capote grew up in the same town as Harper Lee, the author of our other modern classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. They were childhood friends and remained so until a falling out after she helped with the research for In Cold Blood and felt like she wasn’t properly acknowledged. Since Swan Song deals with real characters in his life I am predicting Harper May show up!

I’ve heard good things about this. I like Capote’s short stories a lot, and much more than In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I think man was fascinating as well, so if this book is not good it’s not because it doesn’t have a fascinating and complex subject.

I am keen to hear from others on this one: it didn’t work for me and I felt it rather caricatured Capote. But lots of people are very keen on it.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed In Cold Blood. Capote’s writing the book is a story in itself.

I haven't read this version but it reminds me of The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin. According to Capote by Gerald Clarke, TC didn't think "the Swans" would care. He said "but they knew I was a writer". I don't think I am spoiling anything since I am referring to what is written on the book synopsis.

I think there is a lot to like about the construction, research and form of the novel, but I have little knowledge of Capote (and based on this book would not want any more) and I also actively disliked spending time in the milieu of vacuous rich people and celebrities that it describes (it was like reading a retrospectively issued series of Hello magazine).

My review, starting with Deep Blue Something and ending with Ecclesiastes

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

DNF'd at 65 pages.

I did not like this one at all - Mostly because I just couldn't care, I kept saying so what quite a few times. Maybe I'll pick it up later if it gets longlisted for The Booker.

I slogged through it but same sentiment - really not sure what the point is. I assumed the idea was to give the Swans their voice - but they come across as entirely vacuous people, and the author succeeds, if that was her plan, in destroying any sympathy one might have for them.

I started the book humming Deep Blue Something, but it wasn't long before I switched to this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jC3...

Bit more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6GDd...

Gumble's Yard wrote: "I think there is a lot to like about the construction, research and form of the novel, but I have little knowledge of Capote (and based on this book would not want any more) and I also actively disliked spending time in the milieu of vacuous rich people and celebrities that it describes (it was like reading a retrospectively issued series of Hello magazine)."
Your summary matches what I think about the book so far Gumble. I like the way the author matches incidents from Capote's childhood with ones from his adult life, showing that he changed very little as he got older. I also thought the first person plural voice for the swans worked, but was not interested in their individual lives. It might have been a stronger novel if the author had left those out.
I will read your detailed review when I have finished the book.