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Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,338 listener ratings
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Audrey Hepburn is an icon like no other, yet the image many of us have of Audrey—dainty, immaculate—is anything but true to life. Here, for the first time, Sam Wasson presents the woman behind the little black dress that rocked the nation in 1961. The first complete account of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. reveals little-known facts about the cinema classic: Truman Capote desperately wanted Marilyn Monroe for the leading role; director Blake Edwards filmed multiple endings; Hepburn herself felt very conflicted about balancing the roles of mother and movie star. With a colorful cast of characters including Truman Capote, Edith Head, Givenchy, ""Moon River"" composer Henry Mancini, and, of course, Hepburn herself, Wasson immerses us in the America of the late fifties before Woodstock and birth control, when a not-so-virginal girl by the name of Holly Golightly raised eyebrows across the country, changing fashion, film, and sex for good. Indeed, cultural touchstones like Sex and the City owe a debt of gratitude to Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In this meticulously researched gem of a book, Wasson delivers us from the penthouses of the Upper East Side to the pools of Beverly Hills, presenting Breakfast at Tiffany's as we have never seen it before—through the eyes of those who made it. Written with delicious prose and considerable wit, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. shines new light on a beloved film and its incomparable star.
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"I listened to this very short book on a trip to Columbus. I thought it would be more a review of the early women's rights movements of the 60s but instead found it it be mostly a commentary on the writing and making of the movie - you know background on Truman Capote, Audrey Hepburn, why no one really wanted George Peppard, How the movie was filmed. in between all that were short discussions of the commission that set the standards for movies at the time - no sex, no talking about sex except in innuendo, no adultery - a comparison of Doris Day/Rock Hudson films a representing one type of woman and then there were the others. Even though it wasn't what I really expected, I found it interesting. I've never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's so now I'm looking forward to that and other movies mention in the book."
— Coleen (4 out of 5 stars)
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. Listener Reviews
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" Some fun details but the author over writes and over states his case something awful. Still, lots of interesting factoids for fans of the movie. "
— Brynn, 2/14/2014 -
" So far it is hard for me to follow since I've never seen the movie. It has been interesting to see the "behind the scenes" of making a movie. "
— Nursemonika, 1/28/2014 -
" The tale of the making of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," really how could it go wrong, but it was oh so right! "
— Nicole, 1/26/2014 -
" I can't believe Breakfast at Tiffany's has the social significance the author claims, but if you're interested in the film, or Audrey Hepburn, or how movies get made, this is very fun. And I'm glad to know that several people involved in the making of the movie thought from the start that Mickey Rooney as the Japanese neighbor was a very bad idea. Too bad they didn't have the clout to replace him or just scrap the character. (Blake Edwards apparently insisted on him - thought he was funny - yeesh!) "
— Karan, 1/16/2014 -
" WOW! I really loved this book. It provides insight into Truman Capote's childhood and career, the idea of Holly Golightly, the writing of the book, the adaptation into the movie, the life and struggles of Audrey Hepburn... It goes into great detail about the making of the film, its aftermath, and its impact on society in the 1960's. If you like the author, the actress, the book, the movie, or any combination, you really should read this book. "
— Priscilla, 1/2/2014 -
" This book was a very interesting account of the movie and how it came about. I have to give credit to my husband who saw it at the library and thought I might like it. "
— Margie, 1/1/2014 -
" I loved the story but the writing was a bit harder for me to read ... "
— Anca, 12/18/2013 -
" Interesting background of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Audrey Hepburn. "
— Rosemary, 12/15/2013 -
" Insights into the life of Audrey Hepburn via the production of Breakfast at Tiffany's "
— Gail, 12/15/2013 -
" Love Audrey and Breakfast at Tiffany's - this was such a cool look at both! "
— Ashley, 12/7/2013 -
" This book answers the great, burning question of Hollywood history: How did the makers of Breakfast at Tiffany's convince sweet little Audrey Hepburn to play a mob moll/prostitute? Fun, juicy, and breezy read. As delightful as a Billy Wilder movie. "
— Jennifer, 12/1/2013 -
" Interesting. It's about the making of a movie and women pre- Sex and the City in New York City. "
— Anna, 11/10/2013 -
" I enjoyed it very much. I've read the book but this makes me want to see the movie. "
— Keely, 10/12/2013 -
" Fun read if you love Audrey and/or Breakfast at Tiffanys "
— Reagan, 8/18/2013 -
" This book was very addicting! I loved being able to read about the history of Audrey Hepburn. It was also exciting to read about the history of creating "Breakfast at Tiffany's" "
— Samantha, 6/3/2013 -
" Awesome book! It's a behind-the-scenes narrative about the making of the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and Audrey Hepburn's role as an actress, fashion icon, and more importantly to her, wife and mother. "
— Krystle, 5/28/2013 -
" Enjoyable read, but it tries to do too much and ends up not doing enough. I was left wanting to know more about everything. "
— Laura-Michelle, 3/27/2013 -
" Interesting book on "the making of" Breakfast at Tiffany's. Did not provide exactly what it purported. After reading it I am still unsure how Breakfast at Tiffany's was the dawn of the modern woman. "
— Allison, 3/4/2013 -
" A great book on how the movie was made. "
— Joanna, 2/1/2013 -
" I love anything about Audrey. Not the best book in the world, but definitely a different look at the historical context from when the film was made. "
— M.C., 1/17/2013 -
" Fascinating topic. I wouldn't recommend it if someone wasn't interested in the subject though. "
— Christine, 1/13/2013 -
" Interesting insights into the creation of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The writer gets a little flourishy and wordy at times which started to get on my nerves. "
— Ryan, 11/12/2012 -
" Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite movies. I found it fascinating to go behind the scenes and find out all the maneuvering that went on to produce the film. "
— Sharon, 8/22/2012 -
" Very interestingly written. Really lets you inside the heads of the persons behind the making and starring in Breakfast at Tiffany's "
— Michele, 7/14/2012 -
" Some chapters were interesting, but for the most part it just wasn't my cup of tea. "
— San, 7/10/2012
About Sam Wasson
Sam Wasson is the author of the New York Times bestseller Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman and two works of film criticism. He is a visiting professor of film at Wesleyan University.
About Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.