Season two of Ryan Murphy's 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' has delved into the impact of Truman Capote's scandalous short story, 'La Côte Basque 1965,' on New York society and his own life. The story, published in 1975, satirized Capote's glamorous acquaintances, known as 'The Swans,' leading to tragic consequences.
One of the women depicted in the story, pseudonymized as Ann Woodward, died by suicide before its publication, sparking speculation about the story's role in her death. The fallout from the story caused Capote to be ostracized from high society, leading to a downward spiral of alcohol and drug dependence.
Despite the fallout, Capote maintained a close relationship with Joanne Carson, who forgave him for his portrayal of her in the story. Capote spent his final days at Carson's home, where he eventually passed away in 1984 due to liver disease and drug intoxication.
Capote's struggles with substance abuse were well-documented, with public admissions of his dependency on drugs and alcohol. His unfinished novel, 'Answered Prayers,' became a source of speculation and mystery, with conflicting reports about its completion and potential destruction.
The posthumous publication of 'Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel' in 1987 shed some light on the project, but questions remain about the fate of the complete manuscript. Capote's editor suggested that he may have intentionally destroyed the manuscript in the early 1980s.
The finale of 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' will air on FX, wrapping up a season that explores the complex legacy of Truman Capote and his impact on the world of literature and high society.
