“... Norman Mailer might crackle before the TV cameras, Gore Vidal might manicure his aperçus and Truman Capote flick his malice, but Roth had no desire to hop on the carousel horse.Post-Portnoy, he mastered the art of emerging and receding from the media spotlight, surfacing when he had a squalling new novel to promote and granting a few key interviews ...”

“... Pamela took no interest in politics (though she kept Churchill as part of her name), joining Truman Capote’s circle of luncheon friends at La Côte Basque. Hayward’s death in March 1971 offered the chance of an even greater transformation. She arranged to be reintroduced to Averell Harriman, now 79, at a dinner party. Within six months they were ...”