Summary

Chapter 6 opens with a new character, Marella Agnelli, otherwise known as “European Swan Numero Uno” (73). Truman and Marella are lounging on the Agnelli’s boat the Agenta in August of 1970. Marella, a long-time fan of Truman’s writing, eagerly agrees to a reading of his newest piece. As Truman begins reading parts from his unfinished piece, La Côte Basque (parts of which appeared in the Esquire publication), Marella becomes confused, thinking “surely this wasn’t literature” (74). Truman reads to her The Sheets story, and Marella is mortified by the vulgarity. She tells Truman that she hates it and that is is “vile” (75). Truman, snaps, and tells her she would not even understand good writing because she does not speak English very well. Marella tells Truman that the piece is just gossip, “nasty, vicious talk,” and begs him not to publish it (76). She asks...