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eggjen's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It had so much information on the making of both the book and the movie, giving a lot of perspectives on both projects and filling in on what the time period was like and how hard it was to get a movie like that made back then. And of course I am such a big Audrey fan, that just getting to learn more about her life was awesome. Wonderfully written, very interesting.
pbraue13's review against another edition
4.0
So delightful and fun, I just wish it was a bit longer!
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
A Christmas present from my hubby, who ended up reading it aloud to me before bed this month. Given that we've finished with it already, and he didn't read every night, you can see that it's a quick, light read. My spouse picked it up because of its claims that BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S reflected/contributed to the rise of a "new woman"—a woman who could live alone in the city, and have sex without being considered a villain or dying—i.e., the first hints of a city-based white feminism. The book ended up being far less a cultural study, though, and more a gossipy inside look at the planning and filming of the movie. Made me feel so sorry for Audrey Hepburn, a lovely lady whose first husband was verbally controlling/abusive.
Also made me want to go and re-watch TWO FOR THE ROAD, a film I saw in college and remember saying in response "I want my marriage to be just like that!"
Also made me want to go and re-watch TWO FOR THE ROAD, a film I saw in college and remember saying in response "I want my marriage to be just like that!"
oceanwriter's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
This was a former DNF that I wanted to give another go. I chose to listen in audio form this time and didn’t find it any more interesting than I did several years ago. I kept reading as it was a quick listen and I really did want to enjoy it. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite films and I wanted to learn more about how it was made and its cultural impact. Instead, this book reads more like a Hollywood gossip column with very little substance and a lot of speculation.
My biggest takeaway was realizing that the way I’ve interpreted the film has been, evidently, vastly different than the majority of people. I’ve read Truman Capote’s original novella as well, which might have influenced some of my perspectives without my realizing it, but I’ve never thought of the film as a gateway to the ‘sexual revolution’ of the 1960s. Of course, this could also be in part of being born decades later, but for me, the film has always been more about the lost souls of the characters and it being a story of how they try to come into themselves in an overwhelming world. Holly's lifestyle (and Paul's for that matter) has always appeared to me to be a harsh reality, not something that would ever inspire me to take on that lifestyle let alone empower me. She lives a sad life, and it's only when she accepts the honest love of another that she can begin to feel free. (This is all based on the film, not Capote's original work.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Sexual content
babyruth510's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and quick read about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
iceberg0's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting look at the making of this movie. Probably limited appeal for non Hepburn fans.
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's today & not wonder what all the fuss was about. This light-weight & lazily written behind-the-scener falls squarely in the cult of Audrey Hepburn, marveling as Paramount’s doe-eyed ingénue transforms into Truman Capote’s semi-prostitute party girl. Some fun tidbits. (Director Blake Edwards literally got on his knees & begged producers not to cast George Peppard; Henry Mancini’s Moon River was nearly an 11th hour casualty.) Best scene: Mickey Rooney’s blatantly racist turn as a buck-toothed Japanese landlord enrages Akira Kurosawa.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
5.0
Fifth Avenue 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson is the back story about the writing of and eventual production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Wasson also delves into how Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped shaped the modern woman and usher in the sexual revolution of the 60′s.
Beginning with Capote writing the short story Breakfast at Tiffany’s and ending with the reception of the film version, the book chronicles the long arduous journey from short story to produced film. Fifth Avenue discusses all the ways that Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped usher in the ideals that shaped a modern woman. The ideas that a woman could be in control of her own sex life, work, and be independent.
Sam Wasson articulates his thoughts and points beautifully. He takes all of these fantastic bits and pieces of knowledge about the story writing, screenplay writing, costume design, lighting, character casting, just everything and molds it into a narrative that flows from beginning to end. The reader can definitely feel his love and appreciation for Tiffany’s through this work.
One of my favorite things about the novel are the sections about how it influenced pop culture and society. As a HUGE film fan I absolutely love reading about the power that films have to impact our lives. To read about how the film influenced modern culture and also how it’s choice of leading lady helped lead a feminist revolution was awesome.
I find it really interesting that a lot of modern cultural references to the empowerment of women, such as Sex and the City and 9 to 5, can trace their roots to the image of a strong and confident Holly Golightly. The way the book analyzes what made Holly Golightly such a new female is very interesting.
I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/1-a-review-of-fifth-avenue-5-a-m-by-sam-wasson/
Beginning with Capote writing the short story Breakfast at Tiffany’s and ending with the reception of the film version, the book chronicles the long arduous journey from short story to produced film. Fifth Avenue discusses all the ways that Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped usher in the ideals that shaped a modern woman. The ideas that a woman could be in control of her own sex life, work, and be independent.
Sam Wasson articulates his thoughts and points beautifully. He takes all of these fantastic bits and pieces of knowledge about the story writing, screenplay writing, costume design, lighting, character casting, just everything and molds it into a narrative that flows from beginning to end. The reader can definitely feel his love and appreciation for Tiffany’s through this work.
One of my favorite things about the novel are the sections about how it influenced pop culture and society. As a HUGE film fan I absolutely love reading about the power that films have to impact our lives. To read about how the film influenced modern culture and also how it’s choice of leading lady helped lead a feminist revolution was awesome.
I find it really interesting that a lot of modern cultural references to the empowerment of women, such as Sex and the City and 9 to 5, can trace their roots to the image of a strong and confident Holly Golightly. The way the book analyzes what made Holly Golightly such a new female is very interesting.
I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/1-a-review-of-fifth-avenue-5-a-m-by-sam-wasson/