The city that never sleeps – what a fitting description of this favourite metropole of mine. I don’t believe in love at first sight, but with New York, it was a close call. With a pace and vibrancy second to none, the city grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. In the best possible way.
New York City is one of the relatively few places, I’ll return to over and over again. So let’s celebrate my second favourite city with two classic novellas, both of which capture the essence of this diverse and multi-facetted melting pot filled with sub-cultures and sub-communities.
I didn’t watch the film adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s before reading the book. That might have been a good choice. From what I’ve heard, the fascinating and complex Holly Golightly has been put through the Hollywood machine resulting in a more likeable, but also less interesting version.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is all about Holly. And Truman Capote managed to completely captivate me with this central character. Charming, lovable, insensitive, rude, self-centered. When out and about, she appeared chic and sophisticated; at home her cheap apartment was an absolute mess. Her background was an enigma to everyone. What was her real name? Where did she come from? Nobody knew. Holly had clearly reinvented her life, detaching herself from her past.
As the novella progressed, more details about her background surfaced, although she remained an enigma to the end. She came across as a free bird, difficult to tie down, little sense of commitment. On the other hand, she longed for the stability, which had been lacking in her life. Her lifestyle included men, drugs and alcohol. However, she also spent hours in the library, studying Latin American politics.
I desperately wanted her to find some happiness, but feared it wasn’t going to happen. Something about her reminded me of The Great Gatsby, who had a dream, which came crashing down.
It took me a while to get into the story, which isn’t ideal for a short novella of just 142 pages. But slowly Holly Golightly worked herself into my heart to become an all-time favourite character. Maybe she is still out there somewhere, reinventing herself, living her life at the spur of the moment, searching for happiness.
Title: Breakfast at Tiffany's [1958] Author: Truman Capote Format: Audiobook, narrated by Michael C. Hall Genre: Classics
Britt Bennett’s The Vanishing Half seems to have caused renewed interest in Passing, which was first published in 1929. The film adaptation from 2021 has also helped putting this classic back on the radar.
The basic premise is similar in Passing and The Vanishing Half. Two light-skinned black women make opposite choices. One identifies as white, the other as black.
In a striking opening scene, Irene and Clare, who haven’t seen each other for 12 years, meet in a fancy rooftop restaurant, both passing as white.
But whereas Irene lives in Harlem with her family, embracing her race and culture, Clare is married to a white supremacist. The revelation of her true colours, so to speak, would most likely have very serious consequences.
Against her own better judgement, Irene starts to socialise with Clare, knowing how risky this is for the latter. Clare on the other hand doesn’t hesitate. Whilst enjoying the privileged life her wealthy husband can offer, she misses her roots and enjoys partaking in the social life in Harlem, when her husband is traveling. Living dangerously seems like an attraction rather than a threat to her.
The dynamics between the two women is fascinating. Irene despises the way Clare has build her life on a lie and now has to keep up appearances as a white woman. However, Irene in her own way also keeps up appearances, trying her best to live up to the ideal of a modern happy family, whilst being in severe denial regarding key aspects of her life, including her husband’s unhappiness and the reality black people in America are facing.
“It was only that she wanted him to be happy, resenting, however, his inability to be so with things as they were, and never acknowledging that though she did want him to be happy, it was only in her own way and by some plan of hers for him that she truly desired him to be so.
The two women have another thing in common. It is clear both of them know exactly what they want in life and will go to great lengths to achieve it.
Passing is narrated by Irene and we get a great insight into her complex feelings towards Clare. While despising Clare’s choice to sell out and deny her race, Clare’s unlimited zest for life also makes Irene feel uneasy for reasons she doesn’t even understand herself. Furthermore, Irene starts to feel threatened, fearing Clare’s greediness in life may disturb or even put an end to her own comfortable life. Finally, there is a fascination, even attraction, of Clare with her irresistible beauty and charm.
I was thoroughly impressed with Nella Larson’s descriptions of the complex dynamics between key characters. She also had some interesting observations on the interaction between white and coloured people, discussing how curious white people came to Harlem, watching and interacting with coloured people the way you would engage with an exotic animal in the zoo.
Unforunately, the last part of Passing deteriorated into a melodrama, which felt out of character with the rest of the novella and deducted from the overall experience. Still, the portrayal of the two women and their complex relationship was fascinating.
Title: Passing [1929] Author: Nella Larsen Format: Audiobook, narrated by Tessa Thompson Genre: Classics
That’s it, two New York novellas, both read for Novellas in November. I recently realised, I haven’t read that many books set in New York. Do you have any recommendation?
Well. I’ve never visited New York, or read Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Or Passing. It’ll be a lot easier to put the second and third ones right!
Haha, yes that is true. Even if both novellas describe NYC in the past, in some sense they do capture the essense of the city. However, if you should ever get the chance to visit in real life, I would highly recommend that.
I’ve a feeling that at our combined ages, this might not happen. And if Trump should be in charge …
Oh no, I don’t even want to think about Trump. Let’s hope, he is history.
🙁
I love New York too! I’ve only been there once and was totally gobsmacked by the vibrancy. Two great reviews, Stargazer, of books I know through the films but have never read. I’ve always planned to though. You’ve encouraged me in the right direction!
It is wonderfull, isn’t it. Without having watched the films, I would highly recommend the books. Both are very short and can be read in a few sittings.
Truly outstanding reviews, Stargazer💜 I wish I’d read Capote’s book before seeing the movie, which lacked something, leaving Holly undefinable for me. I’d not heard of Passing so I’ll be checking that out.
By the way, I lived in New York City for two years right out of college. Your reaction is dead on. There’s no other city like it in the world.
I lived in NYC in my 20s for a short 6 months stay. I still remember walking to work down 5th avenue and exploring the city every weekend. Those were the days 😀
Thanks Jonetta! I am now curious to watch the movie, but I am glad I read the book first (normally I prefer to read the book first, although on a few occasions, wathing the movie has prompted me to read a book I wouldn’t otherwise have picked up). Passing is worth checking out!
Fab reviews! I listened to Breakfast at Tiffany’s back in 2022, found it a bit dull so didn’t review it., glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks Nicki! I also found it dull for a while, but eventually Holly won me over completely.
Terrific reviews! I also loved both of these books, but have never been to New York. Maybe one day.
Hmm, books set in New York. i can only think of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
Thanks! The Bell Jar is a good one, showing a different side of the glitz and glamour (admittedly through the eyes of someone with a fragile mental health). I hope you get the chance to experience NYC in real life one day.
How interesting you make these novellas sound! I watched a short film that must have been based on Passing recently. Of course, I can’t recall its name now. I imagine it was changed a bit from the written form, but it left me with the same impression—great tension between the two women in the beginning, but an overdone ending.
They are very interesting especially if you like a good character portrayal. The plot is relatively limited in both novellas. Now, after having read the books, I look forward to watch both film adaptations. Too bad about the ending of Passing!
Great reviews of two great novellas, I haven’t seen the film of Passing but will look out for it; Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the other hand I think is a great film. It is more star spangled than the novella but I think underneath the beauty of Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy gowns Lulamae is still captured.
Thanks Jane, I am glad you thought the film adaptation captured the spirit of the protagonist properly. I look forward to watch it and I love Audrey Hepburn!
I liked The Passing too; I recently read it in 2021 … near when the movie of it came out which I recall liking as well. The actresses were great – wow Ruth Negga plays the role to a T. And nice review of Breakfast at Tiffany’s — you captured it well. I have not read it but did see the movie with Audrey Hepburn and she swept me away. It’s a character with various complexities for sure!
I always enjoy watching Audrey Hepburn and really look forward to watching the film adaptation. Good to hear the actresses were doing a great job in Passing. Both were quite complex characters with room for interpretation and I am curious to see what the actresses made of these roles.
I have a copy of Breakfast at Tiffany’s that I hope to someday get around to, but I did end up seeing the movie first a couple of years ago. I’m quite intrigued now in the protagonist in the book, especially if there’s more nuance to her character here. Great reviews!
It’s a short book, which can easily be read in a few sittings! I guess most people have watched the movie, which I look forward to as well. Interesting to see what Audrey Hepburn makes of the character. Thanks!