Summary

The novel is narrated by the so-called “Swans” of Truman Capote, a literary genius of the twentieth century. The first Chapter opens with Truman attempting to write his book. He is the author of the famous novel, In Cold Blood, and he is trying to write his new masterpiece. The narrator gestures to his life as a young boy. Apparently, the story of Truman’s traumatizing youth has been relayed to his Swans, and the narrator begins to describe when his mother would prepare for a night out. The narrator makes it clear that Truman was not a child that his mother wanted, and an image emerges of a poorly behaved and irresponsible mother figure. She leaves Truman alone in a motel room most nights as she engages in frivolous behavior with many men. The story then follows as usual—when Truman awakes to...