The universal plot catalog Book

3.5 stars.
This book tells the story of Ann Granville and Her mother in law, Alice Grenville.
It's very openly based on the real life story of Ann and Alice Woodward.

When I started reading the book, I thought that the author, Dominick Dunne, tells us the story, from his POV, his own memories/knowledge. But as I kept reading, it was clear that he is telling us not just the characters story, but also Truman Capote's story, because to me, it was obvious that Dunne has made Capote as the one that wrote this story!

I didn't like the way the story was told. It felt like I'm reading a very long gossip column.

It's very interesting to read about the lives of the VERY high-society of NY in the 40's and 50's, but interesting as it was, I didn't like any of the characters.
They are all so shallow, unfaithful, and obsessed with appearances.
They will do everything for money, including murder (Ann Grenville), and they will do anything to keep their high social rank, including protecting your hated daughter-in-law, after she shot your beloved son (Alice Grenville).

I did like how Dominick Dunne sort of "made fun" of them all (the characters, Truman Capote, and I also believe- himself)

It's also, a very sad story of a young girl, from a very poor background, that her only dream was "to make it big", and her ambitious character, along with her extreme beauty landed her one of the richest bachelors in NY.
But she let's her fears and insecurities rule her, and eventually those are why she was left with nothing. (Well that, and the fact that she was a cold bitch as well).

The saddest thing is, the price the couple's two children payed, living in the worst environment for a kid to grow up in.