Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era
By: Laurence Leamer / Narrated By: Carrington MacDuffie
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
A mishmash of EVERYthing that adds up to…? Uhm… not much…
Okay, in Al Anon, they say that: Expectations are just preconceived Resentments.
So you’da thunk I’d learned THAT by now. You know, go into a listen of an audiobook with few, if any, Expectations.
Unfortunately, ‘twould appear that I’ve yet to absorb that particular teaching.
Cuz you see, I looked at the Secondary Title of Capote’s Women, read the Publisher’s Summary, and hotfooted it over to Audible to chuck a credit quicker ‘n a duck takes to water. After all, I’ve been fascinated by how a tiny effete man of astounding literary talent, a quick wit, but not much else, came to be the darling of New York Society. I’m INTO that, gosh darn it. And I saw this, knew a tiny bit of Capote’s betrayal, and thought I was going to get a tantalizing glimpse into the Elite’s moving and shaking, Capote’s dazzling verbal footwork and salacious doings, and I’d just be plain ol’ titillated beyond belief. The Skinny on a Takedown; the Aftermath of Public Dirty-Laundry-Airing.
Uhm… noooooo…
What is this then, and how does one survive 10 1/2-hours of its entirety?
It’s a mashup of eleventy-billion (And six!) women, the pandering they had to do to secure wealthy husbands, the horrific infidelities of the husbands… and Truman Capote’s background, with a wee bit o’ his libidinous conquests. And of how, oh yes, he Loved The Woman He Was With, Only When He Was With Her. Only to dump said Socialite when he found Greener Pastures with yet aNOTHer Socialite who was just as rich, just as thin, just as stunningly beautiful. As effortlessly elegant and composed.
And of all their Wretched Efforts to remain rich, thin, beautiful, elegant, composed.
This is 10 1/2-hours of Ultimately Fruitless Efforts as each fought and clawed to stay on top.
I’ve never been so exHAUSted in my entire life.
Carrington MacDuffie does an okay job with the narration, coming across with a tad more warmth than a skilled VoiceOver for some documentary. But she makes the DEADLY mistake of giving Truman Freaking CAPOTE a DEEP VOICE! I mean, whatthehell?!? A little man with squeaky tones who delighted in himself, in his ability to turn his “failings” as a “Man” into absolute Plusses whenst becoming The Toast of New York. MacDuffie gives him a deep voice?!? Whazzaa and Booooo!
Fortunately, or not so fortunately, there’s not too terribly much about Capote other than a few hookups, a lot of writer’s block, and even MORE talk talk talking about his Grand Opus that would set New York Society atwitter for many an age to come. Nope, this is mostly about beautiful women born and bred to be lovely adornments to wealthy and powerful men. Groooooan…
And when the betrayal FINALLY comes, there’s only about 18-minutes left in the audiobook. We’re left holding the bag as Capote wonders why he’s been given The Cut Direct, women boooo for a bit then get on with their lives of privilege and endless striving, and then life goes on for all involved.
Now see? I’d been HOPING (Yeh yeh yeh, EXPECTING) to hear how betrayed the women felt, their emotions, their actions, the repercussions as the stories made the rounds amongst the Elites, some dancing and backtracking, hurried and embarrassed excuses. Just? You know! The Shame!
And Capote’s descent after flying waaaaaay too close to the sun.
Nah, don’t expect much from this audiobook.
Beautiful women doing whatever it takes to get married.
Truman Capote with a deep voice.
…Waaaaaay more than I could take…
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