Breakfast at Tiffany’s

by Truman Capote

I loved this classic modern fiction. It begins in Joe Bell’s Tavern where the unnamed writer enters to reminisce about meeting beautiful but crazy Holly Golightly.

Years before, the hopefully to be published author moves to New York into a brownstone in the East Seventies in the early days of WWII. He sees on mailbox 2 in the foyer a card, ”Miss Holiday Golightly……Traveling”. Later, after his first sight of Holly, he describes a 19 year old girl in a little black dress, black sandals, a pearl choker and black sunglasses. Beautiful and healthy looking with a short plump man in a pinstripe suit. It’s 3 in the morning.

The book goes on to describe Holly and her unconventional and exuberant lifestyle. I loved her story. Holly left home at fourteen, hinting at being molested by her step father, but not holding any grudges. She used her looks and zest for life to get to New York. She is a model, actress and professional escort, but unashamed at anything she has to do to thrive. Holly does thrive. There is no judgement of Holly in this book. She plays and drinks and enjoys the men she meets.

Every Thursday she visits Sally Tomato, a mobster, in Sing Sing prison, because she says he is a wonderful and interesting man…….and he pays her. But she swears she would visit him even if he didn’t. After her all her misadventures, Holly does get caught up in Mr. Tomato’s criminal activities. She ends up in jail, but makes bail. Holly knows she is in trouble and friendless, but undaunted, she leaves for Rio to avoid prison. That’s the last time this unnamed writer sees Holly, but he admits he loved her incredible energy as did all the people who knew her. In short, if you want a delightful, well written, fast read, I highly recommend it.