Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era

Slim decides to get out of her miserable marriage to Hawks by finding another wealthy man to marry. In 1944, she begins an affair with the movie star Clark Gable, who has recently returned from serving in World War II. Slim is chosen for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar as the quintessential California girl, a new archetype popular in post-war America. She has another baby who’s cared for by nannies when she travels to New York with other socialites. Bored of New York, she flies to Cuba to see Ernest Hemingway, a longtime friend of her husband who often flirts with her. While in Cuba, she meets Leland Hayward, a wealthy, married Hollywood producer, and begins an affair. The couple fall in love quickly, divorce their partners, and are married at the home of Bill and Babe Paley. Slim and Babe become close friends, throwing elaborate parties each weekend. Unlike Babe, Slim is reluctant to share her secrets with Truman, fearing he is untrustworthy.

Meanwhile, Truman struggles to establish his career in New York. He returns briefly to Monroeville, where he begins work on a new novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms. Back in New York, he begins publishing short fiction in women’s magazines like Mademoiselle and Harper’s Bazaar.