Among the Porcupines: A Memoir

How I wish Carol Matthau had written dozens of books. The lady knew her own mind and what a fine one it was.

This book is on my short list of all time favorites. Carol Matthau lived a fairy tale life, from rags to riches. How many people can say they grew up with Truman Capote? How many can say they married William Saroyan (twice) AND Walter Matthau? Who else chummed around with Gloria Vanderbilt and Oona O'Niel as young girls and as women? Her writing style brings them all to life on the page with both shocking and warm stories. One of my favorite stories in the book is about a pair of diamond earrings that Gloria Venderbilt designed and had made for her. She was married to William Saroyan at the time and he made Carol return the earrings to Gloria. Her description of the earrings is so astonishing, they sound so mesmerizing, that I'll always wonder what happened to them. What I wouldn't give to at least get a glimpse of them!

What a beautiful and honest memoir!I thoroughly enjoyed every page and thank the author for sharing her life stories so freely!

I read this book from cover to cover without putting it down once! Matthau lived and shared the story of a life that young girls from Texas only dream of. I loaned my copy of this book-mistake!- and now learn it is out of print. Please consider printing more. Those stories are as close as most of us will ever get to the privileged existence of Carol, her friends and lovers and to experience, vicariously, the glamour and excitement of that "stardusted" New York City.