Infinite Books

 

In one of his interviews, Truman Capote said, “I like cities, and New York is the only real city-city.” Fittingly, the setting of “Such Good Friends,” the story of friendship between him and Lee Radziwill, a wealthy socialite and Jackie Kennedy’s sister, is mostly New York. Lee and Truman traveled to Europe and even accompanied Rolling Stones on their 1972 American tour, but New York was the place to be. Andy Warhol, Diana Vreeland, Rudolph Nureyew, Gore Vidal, and influential ladies who lunch made the New York elite group. Capote was welcomed there and appreciated for his sharp wit and comments, however inappropriate. Eventually, Princess Lee Radziwill increasingly enjoyed his company and considered him her close friend. Flattered by the attention, Capote took on the mentor role and offered advice regarding Radziwill’s acting career, which proved disastrous.

The novel is contained between two ” bookends”: one when Marlena, the Radziwill’s former housekeeper, comes to New York for Lee’s funeral and the other one at the end when Marlena’s secret is revealed. Between them, the narrative style varies – often, Marlena, herself an aspiring writer, tells the story, interspersing it with details of her own life. Occasionally, it’s a fragment of a gossip column, but mostly, it’s “a fly on the wall” approach when we observe Capote and Radziwill’s conversations. 

“Such Good Friends” is an excellent escapist novel, but I hoped to learn more about Capote and Radziwill – and I’ve read other books about Capote and his “swans.” After reading this one, the two main characters remained somehow enigmatic to me, especially Lee Radziwill, who I found lacking lasting motivation, moving from project to project, and mainly driven by rivalry with her famous older sister. But perhaps this is the most truthful description of Princess’s character.

Reading this book, I felt that Truman and Lee’s friendship was genuine, and although they fell apart (and the reasons for it were very much justified), they truly missed the bond they had in earlier years. The phrase in the novel’s excellent title, “such good friends,” carries a sad note. Despite their wit, wealth, and connections with the rich and famous, they seemed lonely at the end of their lives.

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS, by Stephen Greco, Kensington Publishing, 2023