I was attracted to this book because at the center of the story is the friendship between Truman Capote and Lee Radziwell. The author did meticulous research into their relationship as well as with others in their orbit. This is a fiction book so there is invented dialogue along with facts that have been reported in other media. The central character is a woman who ends up working for Lee and has a mysterious back-story. The challenge I had with the book is I don't think the main character added much to the story and at times became too much of a diversion. I feel like the author tried to take on too much and would have benefited from eliminating some of the characters and the situations. I applaud the author for the wonderfully detailed research and writing that helped give insight into Lee and Truman's relationships and lives but in the end, found it not completely satisfying.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.

Such Good Friends is a treasure trove of juicy, gossipy items about the friendship between Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill, the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis. It takes the reader through their first encounter, delves deeply into their years long friendship and ends with the demise of the relationship all together. Of course, included is the glamour of High Society and the ways in which the rich are able to manipulate not only each other, but the media as well. But for the most part, it is a story of two friends whose relationship runs its course, and both seem devastated but too stubborn to forgive the other.

In this historical fiction account, which is told by Lee Radziwill’s housekeeper, Marlene, someone with her own set of secrets, it relays not only Radziwill’s friendship with Capote, but Marlene’s as well. It captures the good, the bad and the scandelous.

The story begins, with the end. Marlene, the former housekeeper, cook and writer-to-be is at Lee Radziwill’s funeral, having been invited to the service. There she reminisces about her time with the two friends and the deterioration of both Capote’s life and their years long friendship.

She captures Truman’s Swans drama, a group of women who took Capote as their best friend and spilled all their tea to only to have him betray them and then not understand what he did wrong. His years of frustrating writer’s block. She documents stories in Radziwill’s life such as her own affair with Greek tycoon Aristotle Onasis, only to find out her sister was having her own tryst, to JKF’s assassination, to Truman’s suggestion that Radziwill venture into acting and writing. But the final straw for Radziwill was Truman’s long-lasting obsessive fight with Gore Vidal.

Name dropping of the rich is plentiful! Andy Warhol, Gloria Vanderbilt to name two. Sadly, the story ends with the desertion of all of Capote’s friends which spiraled him into a horrible world of loneliness and drinking.

But within the story of the glamorous and beautiful is Marlene’s own story. She never married and kept all the secrets of her beloved employer and her good friend, until the end.

Such Good Friends is a wonderful read filled with the rich and famous and their history, but also with the disintegration of friendship and how neither could ever find it in their hearts to forgive the other. It examines Capote’s demons in depth and what inevitably took his life.

Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #SuchGoodFriends #StephenGreco for the advanced copy.

Sorry to say, I was disappointed with this book. I was prepared for a very different type of story. I expected to see Capote, portrayed with all his tortured genius and his evil, irreverent sense of humor among the high-society party scene of the 60's & 70's. What we did get was lengthy descriptive passages of some scenes. This book missed it's mark somewhere. I don't know if it is the extremally unrealistic point of view from which it is told. It tended to throw me off wondering how Marlene, who was a glorified housekeeper, was privy to such very private, intimate conversations, just not believable and I feel it detracted from the main story of Capote and his swans or I should say swan since the focus was more on the friendship between Truman and Lee Rodziwill, than any of the other swans that flocked around the tormented writer,
So I an on the fence with this one, if you know nothing about Truman Capote and his "swans" then you can get a start learning here, but if you know about him, there is nothing new told here. The fictional Marlene takes away from the central plot, she could have been left out and the focus just center around Truman and Lee and it would have been much better.
I will give a very generous 3 stars, and it is up to you to decide if you read this or not.. No recommendation, sorry.
Thank you to Kensington Books and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

This historical fiction novel about Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill is told from the viewpoint of Marlene, who was the cook/housekeeper for Lee Radziwill for years, and was a confidante for both Lee and Truman. I have mixed feelings about this book. There were interesting parts that I had not read about in other books about Truman Capote and his "Swans", so those parts were fascinating. Other parts seemed to just plod along, and there were a lot of those. Also, I found it a little inconceivable that Marlene was privy to some of the conversations and details that were detailed in the book. Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction, then it is worth a read.

Having read other novels about Truman Capote and his “swans’, I find that I still enjoy novels, like Such Good Friends by Stephen Greco, which give us a glimpse into the world of the rich and famous. In this book, Lee Radziwill hires a new staff member named Marlene. Marlene who is estranged from her family (for good reasons) has invented a past for herself. She shares this past with both Lee and Truman. Marlene has a ringside seat to all the glitter and glamour of the people, events, and mores of the 1960s and 70s. We get to see this exciting world through the eyes of Marlene. At the same time, we learn about Marlene, her past and her future. I enjoyed being a “fly on the wall” to the conversations and gossip. Fun book and a good read.

The title of the novel informs the reader that the friendship of American author, Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill, sister of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is the main subject of the novel. A plot that sounded quite interesting to me when I selected it. I knew that most of the novel would feature parties and other events involving the who's- who of the latter half of the 20th century. Our narrator is Marlene, a Cuban American and a fictional character placed in Lee Radziwill's household. It is through Marlene that we see the ups and downs and the final termination of the friendship.


Quite honestly, I had a very difficult time staying engaged and focused on the novel. The writing style and the way that the perspective was presented made me feel like I was reading a memoir rather than fiction. I felt like I was an omniscient being that was detached from all the characters. I never felt that I was part of the timeline. I do find Capote a very fascinating character but I didn't feel I learned anything that the films Infamous and Capote hadn't already explored. Then there was Lee Radziwill who from the get-go, I didn't really like. Sadly, I feel like I should have taken something away about her but she remained out of reach.

This one was a hit-and-miss for me!


Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.


Expected Publication Date 23/05/23
Goodreads Review Published 14/05/23
#SuchGoodFriends #NetGalley

I very much enjoyed this book. I have read about Truman's relationships with the Swans, and always there were hints of Lee and his devotion, but never "Intel". It was nice to follow Marlene and have kind of a front-row seat to see Truman's devotion to Lee. I think this writing gives Lee more of a genuine personality than I have ever read about. In books on Jackie, I find her cold and aloof. Here I found her personable, a bit catty (when gossiping with Truman), and a true friend to him. His desire to play Henry Higgins and strive to make her into a star was an aspect, I don't think I knew about until I read this one (again, I have been reading books about Babe). All in all, I found this an enjoyable read especially if you are interested in the lavish lifestyle of Truman, his swans, and the Black and White Ball.

Be careful, ya'll; if you think you are getting the whole book for free...you are not. Right now, for pre-ordering, it only shows (on Amazon and B&N) as a very, VERY pricey paperback.

This is a perfect book club choice. You will love this book if you love lush, never-ending descriptions of clothing, decor, architecture, art, dated gossip, and Truman Capote. If you can see beyond the plot device of using the housekeeper to narrate what are private dialogues between Truman and some of his Swans, then this book will be a perfect beach read. I had difficulty trying to suspend my disbelief that the housekeeper would be privy to all of these conversations.

Frankly, I just don't have what it takes to enjoy books of this caliber. I need something that takes me away from this world. I need something that will make me think, laugh, cry, and use my imagination, something that will pique my curiosity. This book did none of those things for me. It felt as if the longer I read it, the longer the book became until I felt that it would never end.

The era that is the basis for this book will make it a little awkward for those of us who were born in the late 50's and only know some of these people when they were already past their prime. But, on the other hand, if you are much younger than me, then you might find this an exciting slice of mid to late-20th-century history. But, of course, it is history about the wealthy jet-setters and only touched briefly on anything significant that was going on in America at the time.

I should have realized that I would likely not love this novel when I realized it was similar to "The Swans of Fifth Avenue."

I did find it interesting that this book focused on Lee Radziwill and Truman Capote and not so much on the other Swans. However, I was disappointed not to hear more about Jackie Kennedy (at least by the 50% mark).

At times the author would use 21st-century language instead of what apropos of the 'women who lunch' in the mid-19th (1969) century would use, which would drag me out of the story.

This was not the perfect choice for me. I just never got the attraction of Truman Capote and most likely never will. However, I think many out in Bookland will enjoy this look into the rich and famous.

ARC was supplied by the publisher Kensington Books, the author, and NetGalley.

The author’s writing style is overly descriptive for my taste, including every mundane detail. The dialogue and name-dropping felt forced. And I don’t get why he chose to have the former employee of Lee Radziwell narrate and tell us everything rather than show us the story from Truman and Lee perspectives; it would have been so much better! I was so looking forward to this novel as I love Capote and novels that focus on high society/golden age celebrities but I couldn’t force myself to read more than a couple chapters, it was so dull

I love a good historical fiction novel based upon real persons and events to see how one author interprets a well-known person’s life. In this case, we have two well-known people, author Truman Capote and socialite Lee Radziwell, who was also Jacqueline Kennedy’s younger sister. Since this is a Kennedy-adjacent fiction book, I was optimistic I would like it.

However, I was sadly disappointed in how the story was presented. The reader meets Marlene, the fictional former cook/cleaner/personal secretary, looking back on her life. Then there’s a series of flashbacks involving Radziwell and Capote, and most of the time they don’t even involve Marlene, so it’s this weird point-of-view that doesn’t work because you’re wondering how she knows about these conversations verbatim. The structure of the story would have been much better had there not even been a fictional character, or introduce her at the beginning, then do an actual flashback chapter or two, then gone back to the present.

Because the way the story was structured was confusing, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I could have. Truman Capote was a tortured genius with a wicked sense of humor, but I don’t think that came across with the unique way the story was structured. As for Lee Radziwell, she always seemed kind of shallow, and nothing this book presented made me think any differently about her. I’m sure it’s not true, and fiction is a good way to break stereotypes, but instead of shattering them, they’re reinforced.

There’s a twist at the end of the book regarding the fictional Marlene and at that point I just shrugged. It wasn’t a big deal, probably because I felt like this could be two books, Marlene was an interesting enough character to have her own book about her relationship with Truman Capote and his helping her become a better writer, and the other book could have been about Truman Capote and a few of his “swans,” the socialites who hung out with him, including Lee Radziwell. Unfortunately, the book we have is wholly unsatisfying and as vapid as the social set described in the book.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley, Kensington Books, John Scognamiglio Books and the author in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed are my own.

From The Historical Novels Review, May 2023:

Truman Capote and his circle of wealthy women friends – his swans – defined New York City’s high society of the 1960s and ´70s. Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy’s sister, vied for position of head swan as Capote’s closest friend. We see Truman’s and Lee’s friendship and its unraveling through the eyes of Marlene, Lee’s personal assistant/cook. She is the only fictional character in a book peopled with dozens of the rich and famous in Truman’s circle. Along with his swans, Jackie Kennedy naturally comes in and out of Truman’s orbit since she and Lee were close, while Truman’s feud with Gore Vidal is amusing as they snipe at each other.

It is fascinating to peer into Truman’s extravagant life style, the struggles and triumphs of his writing life, and his tumultuous relationships with friends and lovers, but his descent into drugs and alcohol is distressing. As he struggles to deliver on his publishing contracts, repeatedly missing deadlines, clubbing and partying takes priority, and addiction consumes his life. When his story, “La Côte Basque,” was published in Esquire, his swans felt betrayed by his thinly veiled attempts to hide their identities. His poking fun at them and betraying confidences lost him many friends.

Greco’s research is extensive and exhaustive, while his journalistic-style writing includes an abundance of mundane details – e.g., measurements and colors of Lee’s choices in tile and wallpaper. The dialogue can be tedious, and name-dropping in the beginning is overwhelming until the relevant players surface. The use of Marlene as narrator is not convincing as someone privy to everything, and her personal story with a “secret” derails the story at hand. The larger-than-life Capote and Radziwill should have had the stage to themselves. This is still well worth reading because they were such icons of the era and their lives utterly riveting.

Janice Ottersberg

Well researched and detailed novel about the relationship between Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill, For anyone not familiar with Truman Capote and his "swans", this is a great read.

This book is a retelling of the relationship between Truman Capote and Lee Radziwall, Jackie Kennedys sister, seen through the eyes of Marlene who was loyal and worked for Lee for years. There is nothing new told here but the story is still compelling. Truman used his society ladies secrets as material for his books which enraged quite a few of them who then cut him off. I enjoyed this book as I devour books on this subject. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Marlene, Lee Radziwill's housekeeper, tells the story of her complicated relationship with Truman Capote in this noel which provides a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of these two (and others). It doesn't offer anything new about either for those who are familiar with them but if you don't know them, then this is a place to start (but make sure to wikipedia everyone to get the scoop). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

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 the Radziwill household.
As the story explores this relationship, it reveals the inner circles of the upper crust with their luxurious lives; filled with stars, dazzling parties, fashionable restaurants, and the “swans” ruling the high society of New York in the 1960s and 70s. As Marlene becomes a trusted member of the family, she observes the array of famous figures that come in and out of Lee’s private life.
Very engaging! Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel and the time period, along with all the name-dropping.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this e-arc.*

Stephen Greco brings nothing new to the story of Truman Capote and Lee Radziwill in Such Good Friends. The story could be enjoyable if not for the poor quality writing and unappealing main character whose big reveal falls flat. Greco fails to smoothly transition between the storyteller’s era and the Capote era. Friends is wordy and uses odd word choices not befitting of either time-period.

My mother was such a huge Jackie Kennedy fan, so books about her littered our bookshelves all my life. Other than a mention here and there in books I really knew nothing about her sister Lee, and I suppose that is why Such Good Friends interested me.

I know that Such Good Friends, is a historical fiction book, so it is not a bio, but it did give me a good look at the friendship between Lee and Truman Capote, which I knew nothing about.

The writing and story were engaging and entertaining. As you would expect there was lots of glitz and glamour in the society that Radizwell frequented, the friends she kept, and the places she was seen at. I enjoyed the look into this world through the eyes of Marlene who became a trusted confidant of both Capote and Radizwell.

First-person narration makes this an easy read, and the travel through time and history is interesting and keeps you interested.

This is a book I think most readers will enjoy, but if the reader is a history lover it is golden.


This

"Reveling in the star-studded parties, fashionable restaurants and gilt-edged inner circles of its most exclusive events, Truman Capote and his flock of glamorous socialite "swans" rule the highest echelons of 1960s and 70s high society New York. Stephen Greco brings this scandalous world to life in a fascinating recreation of the tumultuous friendship between Capote and his most elegant yet unconventional swan: princess and sister of Jackie Kennedy, Her Serene Highness Lee Radziwill.

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."

Everything's coming up Capote these days!

Not only is the cover extremely appealing to the eye, the book itself was fantastic! The storyline rang true from so many angles - it is obvious the author did plenty of research. The characters were well done and the themes of friendship and loyalty are carried throughout the book very well. The relationships between Capote, his swans, Jackie Kennedy and the Princess were depicted so well!

3.5 Stars

Set in the sixties and seventies, this story brings to life the era as well as the lives of sisters Jackie Kennedy and Lee Radziwill with a focus on Lee’s friendship with Truman Capote, and Capote’s life, his rise as both an author and a celebrated figure, and his fall from grace as time passed. Their stories are shared through memories conveyed by the housekeeper, whose presence was largely overlooked, apparently, as she wandered in and out of hearing range while they shared their stories. And there are a lot of stories.

While this is based on the friendship between Capote and Radziwill, it isn’t so much a ‘tell-all’ kind of story as it is a story of their lives, their friendship and the course it took after a time, it is also a story of the lives of the rich and famous and the toll that took on Capote in the years after his tremendous success with ’In Cold Blood’. The years that followed immediately after were filled with glitz and glamour, a flamboyant lifestyle, as well as an increasingly luxurious life. Life wasn’t just good, it was a life most of us can’t even imagine.

I enjoyed this, but loved the idea of it more than the experience of reading it. The story flowed to the point I’d say it ‘overflowed’ and perhaps suffered a bit overall from that, for me. The writing was competent, but not lovely or notable, but it is worth reading just for that glimpse back into a time when life was perhaps simpler, but not necessarily better for all.



Pub Date: 23 May 2023


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Kensington Books / A John Scognamiglio Book