Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott is about Truman Capote, and the glamorous high society women he called his Swans, and his betrayal of them.

Truman Capote loved gossip, and his Swans all told him secrets - theirs, and their friends, all of which they believed he would keep. But, he used these women's lives as grist for the writing mill, changing names but little else, and told some of their deepest darkest secrets in an extract for a book he was writing call Answered Prayers.

Swan Song is a fictional re-telling, with some of the secrets, from the point of view of the women he betrayed, as a fictional chorus of 'we'. It has details about Truman Capote's life, friendships and love.

I really enjoyed Swan Song as it had a good mix of shock, the sadness of betrayal, and the attempt to live after.

I've not read anything by Truman Capote (don't worry he's on the list now!), and it's funny that I've read a book about Harper Lee (Furious Hours, which I reviewed in May), and now about Capote as I never knew they were childhood friends, even if they did drift apart later in life.

This is Kelleigh Greenbery-Jephcott's debut novel, and what a start as it was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019!

Swan Song was published on 9th July 2019, and is available to buy on Amazon and on Waterstones. I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!

I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Random House UK (the publishers) for this book.

Check out my GoodReads profile to see more reviews!

Instantly transported and immersed into the life of Truman Capote and his "Swans" I read this entire book in one flight. I couldn't wait to find out how the relationships with characters would develop, and who would hold a grudge or forgive... I've always loved Capote's writing, and writing on his life and personality but this felt far more intimate and touching than things I'd previously read. Capote is a deeply flawed and troubled man, but you root for him nonetheless, knowing that his upbringing (in part) made him that way.

From the very first page I was hooked. The writing pulled me in, and their glamorous, scandalous world felt real enough to reach out and touch. Would definitely recommend!

Almost pointless to review this novel as it will be covered in glory by much more eminent readers than I! But it's the 84th book I have read this year and (along with The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker) it's a standout first place favourite. The narrative voices are sublime; I genuinely found myself hating and loving the same people at different junctures because they were so real to me and it's difficult not to empathise with characters who are so authentically flawed and jaded and joyful and lovely and ridiculous. Capote is by turns an insufferable buffoon and then suddenly, the very definition of pathos.

I say this is my favourite book of the year, but really it's the most moved I've been by a novel since The Goldfinch. I can't recommend it highly enough. But be warned, it's a beast, it will take a while and I probably spent as much time reading online to find out more about the Swans as I did reading the novel itself. My Google search history is awash with images of of yachts, Rainbow Rooms, Colony Clubs, Guinnesses, Paleys, and full of links to Vanity Fair articles about the Black and White Ball, Studio 54, the whole central scandal and much more. They lived in interesting times! But the whole swan song idea is the most poignant and romantic central conceit I've found in a long time; I'm envious of those who have yet to begin this book. Enjoy it!

There is one incident in this book to which I totally related. Towards the end of his famous 'black and white' ball, Capote comes across a plain young woman in a street black dress looking on as he sees it, longingly. Thinking she wants to join in, he invites her in whereupon she throws a glass of champagne at him and berates him for the waste of money. This novel left me with a similar feeling. I felt nauseated reading about so much wealth and so many vacuous lives.

Taking an incident from Capote's life, that is when he publishes a chapter from his novel in the magazine Esquire, there is something to admire in the writing. The author does capture Capote's voice and it appears to be very well researched. The Esquire chapter throws a bomb into his social life as he has written about the lives of his 'swans' a group of socialites who hang around him, telling him secrets that they are dismayed to read about in the magazine. Almost to a woman, they shun him and this leads him into an alcoholic and drug addled decline. he can't believe he's being blacklisted by them, after all he's a writer but they turn on him viciously. There seems to be little to admire in either the 'swans' or in the writer.

There are also things that irritate greatly in the writing. Endless descriptions of Capote's looks:. his grotesque head, his pygmy limbs, his tow headed locks, his girlish voice. Scenes from the time are revisited several times and the structure could definitely be tightened up.

Overall, I did not like this book at all. To misquote the emperor in the film/play Amadeus 'there are simply too many words.' Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A story of betrayal and glamour. Even if you don’t know Truman Capote you will enjoy this tale of old school intrigue.
4/5 on goodreads

Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
This is the fictionalised account of a book which Truman Capote wrote about the lives of the women for whom he became a confidant over a number of years. The book when it was published in Esquire magazine caused a furore as it revealed the secrets, gathered over the course of many years, of the powerful and famous women of the time. Truman Capote had a strange childhood and did not cut a dashing figure but he managed to place himself at the heart of this group of women and become the beneficiary of many damaging secrets.
Although his revelations were written with pseudonyms it was obvious to everyone who the people were that he was writing about and the fallout was considerable. The damage which the book wrought was unimaginable and although Truman claimed that they always knew they could end up in one of his stories the suicide could not have been what he intended.
This is the story of a damaged person wreaking havoc on those who held him dear and he begins on a downward spiral consumed by drink and drugs.
This is a fascinating, well written account of the damaged lives of the privileged and I thank Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read it.

This is the first book I have read by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott and found her writing exquisite. It is an unusual read for me, but I must admit to being completely engrossed in the life of Truman Capote who I knew very little about, apart from his books. The author has spent much time on researching and treated the information with care and consideration.

Swan Song highlights the tragic world in which Truman exists coupled with the luxury of high society. From a deprived upbringing he surrounds himself with beautiful women. He calls them his swans with the story going between. The story goes between his Truman’s perspective and those of the women during different phases of his life.

Gossip and name dropping (Jackie Onassis for one) in abundance, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I was spell bound with the elaborate decadence and wasn’t surprised that he turned to drugs and alcohol as he became older but not wiser.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, UK, Windmill Books and Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott for my ARC in return for my honest review.

Great read – highly recommended

A phenomenal exploration of the life of Truman Capote, and his “swans” – the female companions who were his muses and dearly beloved friends.

A troubled individual throughout his life, Truman’s swans anchor him somewhat, but he betrays them cruelly with barely disguised revelations in his writing.

The story moves between perspectives – Truman’s own, and those of individual swans, through various periods in his life.

This is a long book, but don’t be intimidated, it is truly fascinating as well.

Kelleigh Greenberg-Jeffcott’s Swan Song is a masterpiece in characterisation, gossip and glamour from a bygone era. Swan Song captures the allure and extravagance of high society, offering an insight into the frenetic and tragic world of Truman Capote and the inner circle he inhabits. From privileged confidante of the elite to story teller extraordinaire, Capote’s increasing dependence on drugs and alcohol in his unending search for love and adoration contributes to his declining physical and mental health and subsequent tragic fall from grace and favour.

This is a fascinating and extremely engrossing story about the life of Truman Capote, author of in Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Full of glamour and intrigue this is a wonderful read for lazy summer days, preferably with a cocktail or three to hand.

The Autobiography of Truman Capote famous for being an American writer who wrote “Breakfast At Tiffany’s and “ Cold Blood”

Truman has a difficult childhood that he manages to leave behind when he becomes famous and surrounds himself with beautiful women who he calls “ his swans” Everybody loves Truman who loves to gossip about people and is always making them laugh. They feel comfortable around him sharing their own secrets over copious amounts of alcohol.

When Truman hosts a black and white ball his inner circle worry that they will be crossed off his list and will do anything to stay in his favour “Now a man of means can no longer be bribed” Descriped as the party that no one could ever equal.

When he writes his next book “Answered Prayers” his friends can not wait to hear what it is going to be about. Truman says “ It’s called Answered Prayers and if it all goes well, it’ll answer mine”
“I’m constructing this book like a gun, there’s the trigger, the barrel and finally the bullet .And when it’s fired it’s gonna come out with a speed and power you’ve never seen - WHAM”

Imagine their horror when they realise, that although their names have been changed, this story is all about them and is revealing their deepest secrets.

I was fascinated by this book. Surely Truman should have known what would happen when he broke his friends trust writing this book. He thought he was so loved by his friends that eventually he would be forgiven, but this was the start of a slippery slope for Truman sadly drinking and taking drugs to fill the empty void that losing his friends had created.

Loved the casual celebrity name dropping. Jackie Kennedy, Sophia Lauren, and many more. I would have loved to be around in such a glamorous time.

This book had me wanting to know more about Truman and I found myself Googling him and watching interviews he did on chat shows. For me that is a sign of a good book as you got under my skin and I wanted to know more!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Truman Capote, the literary genius, bad boy and chameleon of the 1950, 60 and 70ties, provided enough material for several novels during his excessive life. I read Melanie Benjamin’s “The Swans of 5th Avenue” last year and had a blast with her gossipy, sparkling, entertaining novel. When I heard of Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott’s novel “Swan Song” which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019, I just knew I had to read her version of Truman’s tragic relationship with his swans.


Both novels are excellent but different in their prose reimagining Truman Capotes life and that of his swans. “Swan Song” is the more extensive one with 480 pages and the more literary but just as juicy, gossipy and easy to read. The author weaves back and forth between Truman’s voice and that of his “swans” – the stunning grand dames of jet set society during their time: Babe Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, Lee Radziwill and Marella Agnelli. Their glamorous lives and friendships were shared with unimaginable luxuries , gossipy, boozy lunches in the eating temples of New York, dream like summer vacations on yachts in the Aegean or Yucatan, Babe’s beautiful meticulously planned dinners and of course Lee’s access to the Kennedys and Onassis families. Not to mention Truman's famous black and white ball which went into the history books.



They all revealed their most private thoughts and troubles to Truman who in return showered them with the love, attention and affection most of them lacked from their philandering, rich husbands. He would never betray them unlike their husbands of that they were sure despite Truman’s increasing dependence on alcohol and pills which eventually lead to his ruin. So what in the world made him betray their love and trust when an article appeared in Esquire with thinly vailed names based on his swan’s lives spilling the beans on their most intimate secrets? The chapters about the consequences of his actions are exquisite; Greenberg-Jephcott is brilliant in imagining Truman’s and the swans’ emotional rollercoaster after him being banned from their lives, the years that followed after his betrayal and loss of their friendship, all closely based on biographical data.


“Swan Songs” transported me into a fascinating re-imagined world of a literary yet emotionally crippled genius and his court of beautiful, rich and unusual women. I loved it, 5 stars from me!

There's much that I liked about Swan Song. It's lushly detailed, meticulously researched, elegantly presented. It has a clear love of place, style and beguiling decadence. A vivid cast of society ladies and legendary personalities such as Jackie Onassis and Lauren Bacall, all presented with a keen sense of their interiority as well as their notoriety.
Capote's character is of course, the centrepiece, and is beautifully realised with his demons from childhood and the scars from the experience of In Cold Blood. He is full of contradictions, petulance and vulnerability.
The book title is genius - the swans are Capote's women friends with whom he has intense platonic love affairs, and who he later falls out with and betrays. At the end of the novel, the swan metaphor is extended in a pleasing and unexpected way... BUT.
The book didn't hang together as a whole, especially at the end. The author treated her material with exquisite care but seemed to have far too much of it - a common hazard with a subject that has been researched so conscientiously. She seemed to tread the same areas again and again. This was a problem at several points in the narrative but especially in the final scenes, as though she had thought of many versions, couldn't decide between them and put them all in. It would have far stronger if she had chosen just one. Instead, we had many runs at the final swan image and Capote imagining his dead friends and losing his mental faculties. .
This is a shame, because we feel these shocks as deeply as he does, thanks to this author's skilled use of interiority. My verdict - skilful, but flawed and needed a disciplined story edit. I later saw it had won the Women's Prize for Fiction. Did the judges read it all?

I am sorry but I could not get into this book at all. I kept reading but I could not get interested in the various characters. Sorry.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Fascinating & completely different to books I usually read. I found this very addictive & I would recommend this to anyone.

Truman Capote, mentioned often in tandem with Harper Lee, yet a fabulous writer in his own right. Who would have thought the humble beginnings from which they both started would lead to such fame? If Truman had been a woman he would have been the Queen Bee of any social event, the one whom no one would have dared leave off a list of invitees. As it was he had a special place with his Swans, by inveigling himself into their spoiled over-luxurious lives where nothing was off the menu. As the writer of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Cold Blood he was not short of money and luxury in his own life, but it was his personality that made him almost indispensable to the woman of New York's social elite. For many years he was their confidant, their sister, their love, but he got their delight of him totally wrong by writing articles taken from his book, Answered Prayers, a tome that was never delivered or published, which parodied his relationship with them all by delivering on a salacious plate in Esquire magazine their deepest innermost secrets. I can only think he thought they would find it amusing to see themselves in such damning print, but alas it was not the case. They turned against him, particularly the woman he loved most of all, Babe, who would never speak to him again. From that moment his life was in a downward spiral from which he would never recover. He turned to alcohol and drugs to prop up his need for his friends and his life ended at the age of fifty-nine, too early and without publishing his very last book. This is an amazing literary novel, beautifully and cleverly written and one which I totally recommend. 5 super stars
My thanks to Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, Random House UK and Net Galley for my advance copy.

In Swan Song Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott retells Truman Capote’s final years from the perspective of the high society ladies he first befriended and then betrayed.

Did not finish this book, did not like the characters and found it totally confusing. I shall revisit another time

Oh, darling Truheart! How I loved this book about Truman Capote, the colorful character who penned books you may know (In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's, to name two). I did not know much about Truman's life beyond the fact that I couldn't think of him without a shiver after reading In Cold Blood during AP English growing up. I knew he was odd, short with a squeaky voice, but had no idea he was such a boozing, drug user genius and so well connected with the social set of New York, and beyond, in the golden era of the 60s and 70s.

Swan Song has a deliciously gossipy, ultra exclusive feel to it that brings the reader into the heart of the social circle as 'the Swans' recount their embracing of Truman, letting him tag along with them as they travel the world, and how their openness regarding the events in their lives lead to them disowning him. Nothing could be more dangerous than an author who feels he needs to craft another bestseller but is short on material. Hey, why not use the secrets shared in confidence by your closest friends? As we come to find out, there is an amazing amount of scandalous material at his finger tips and the temptation is too great.

I didn't know anything about the social movers of this time - Babe Paley, Slim Hayward, Lee Radziwill, CZ Guest, the dreaded Pamela Churchill and many others were quickly googled as I read to see who they were and if the stories held within Swan Song's pages were true. The content on these amazing women was so beautifully delivered it made Truman's treacherous tell-all chapters in Esquire that much more painful. Though Truman acts despicably, the reader cannot help but pity him as his life crumbles post publishing.

This really is heartfelt tribute not just for the bazaar little Truman but for the many women who bared their souls to him during their acquaintance. Swan Song is a glorious triumph I cannot endorse enough. It dazzles, not just from the stunningly described locales and events but from the stern stuff these swans are made of.