The Swans of Fifth Avenue

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin              Audio Book: 13 hours     Paperback Book:  400 pages                       

I absolutely loved this book!   What a great piece of writing.   As a rule I prefer non-fiction to fiction but I would read this book again and again it was so well written and such great detail and character definition.   True, the characters are all real and the details could easily have been researched but Melanie Benjamin’s fine hand at writing and bringing all of these people back to life and sharing such touching particulars about each both endear them and even the coarse or low sides of them are brought to light in such a way as to elicit empathy for every act whether vile or compassionate.  Oh I do so love this story.   Full of juicy dish on Hollywood celebrities and genteel descriptions down to the woodwork in the Plaza in New York.     Ms. Benjamim delivers a stellar story brilliantly.    I could gush over this one for days but then I would begin to sound like one of the story’s main characters, Truman Capote.     Do read this, you will be glad you did.    A laser look into the life of the wealthy that shows that money does not heal all wounds nor can it fix everything.   It can only pay for the polish to hide what is lurking beneath.     Bravo, Melanie Benjamin!   I give you a standing ovation for the world you brought to the page in such a way it is not just a read but a lush experience.   Thank you for that.