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The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

The Swans of Fifth Avenue

by Melanie Benjamin

  • Critics' Consensus (1):
  • Readers' Rating (49):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2016, 368 pages
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Reviews

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There are currently 22 reader reviews for The Swans of Fifth Avenue
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Kate G. (Bronx, NY)

They are not like us
I read and loved The Aviator's Wife and was interested in this new novel by Melanie Benjamin. I grew up in the Bronx and read Liz Smith starting around age 7, so I knew of all these characters. As an adult, I was just not interested in them or their self-absorbed world. Truman Capote may very well have been a literary genius and Babe Paley's great love, but Benjamin's research and writing were not enough to keep me interested in their story of betrayal. Setting the stage in the first section of the book, I felt the writing and story was repetitive; I understood they were wealthy and lived differently than the rest of us. The payoff of the end was a let down as the finale of the book mattered to the characters but not the outside world. Benjamin's mistake was thinking these characters were more intriguing than they actually were for the rest of us.
Janell C. (Ross, CA)

The Swans of Fifth Avenue
Having read La Côte Basque 1965 in the 70's I was looking forward to reading more about Capote's fall from societal grace. I found this book to be very difficult to get into but promised myself 100 pages; at just that page things began moving a bit but still very much in need of some enthusiastic editing. The characters are drawn in great detail but almost to the point of caricature. This is a fascinating subject but the writing just seemed to mimic soap opera.
Carole A. (Denver, CO)

The tragedy of the swans
Having read THE AVIATOR'S WIFE I looked forward to another offering by Melanie Benjamin. Sorry to say - I was disappointed. Beyond saddened I was left saddened by the tragedy and the shallowness of the lives of the swans and Truman. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I remember reading about and seeing pictures of all these "beautiful" people. While on the surface these lives and their lifestyle appeared so idyllic I felt Benjamin wrote a story that was, to me, both tragic and offensive. There is no doubt these lives were portrayed truly - it seems sad and offensive to air it all again. For myself, regarding Capote, I prefer to remember his delightful writing and not dwell on the dark side. For those loving the "tattler" magazines THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE is probably a must read. For those who enjoyed a more refined "expose" such as THE AVIATOR'S WIFE take a pass. Dear Ms Benjamin please continue writing BUT please follow the lead of your previous works.
Kathrin_C

High Society. . . Shallow Waters. . .
Since I've previously read The Aviator's Wife and Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin and enjoyed both of them immensely, I had rather high expectations for her new book. But, The Swans of Fifth Avenue left me high and dry. The underlying storyline with Truman Capote partying and socializing with elegant, beautiful and elite high society women such as Barbara "Babe" Paley, attending group gossip sessions and then later releasing their shared secrets for publication with devastating results seems to be the central lure. But getting there you will wade through long, repetitive descriptive passages on all the fashions and lifestyles of the well-known mid-twentieth century rich and famous. Yet, the book is well written and some of the characters are well drawn up. As a light, entertaining read with historic gossipy undertones it works.
Judy B. (Marysville, OH)

Too much like a gossip column
I was excited to read The Swans of Fifth Avenue because I loved Melanie Benjamin's The Aviator's Wife. I read all of The Swans because I didn't remember much about the real-life main characters, except for Truman Capote, about whom much has been written and filmed, and I wanted to know "what happened." However, even though we are told about the close, then failed, relationship between Babe Paley and Capote, I didn't feel I knew them or could empathize with their tragedies. Also, there were too many other "swans" about whom we learned even less even though we got their point of view at times, almost like a Greek chorus but not as focused or illuminating. I would wish that the book had brought the characters of Paley and Capote to life instead of spreading the story across all the "swans." I felt like I was reading People magazine. Fun to read but disappointing as fiction.
Patty

The rich are different
I requested this book because I really enjoyed reading The Aviator's Wife. While The Swans was well researched and a snap shot of the glamorous high society of 1960s New York, the main characters left me cold. Superficial, snobbish,dishonest with each other, and seemingly quite vacuous, it was difficult to even want to know them. The "swans" were the society wives with Babe Paley at their center. Enter Truman Capote into their group and the story spins. This book will likely be of interest to many readers -- and book groups will have lots to discuss --but the people didn't do a thing for me and I was happy to leave them behind when I finished reading it.
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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /reader_reviews/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 04:35 AM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780288551729 ms 1.78028855173E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
729 ms 729 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
279 ms 279 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
139 ms 139 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
115 ms 115 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
83 ms 83 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
56 ms 28 ms 2 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
53 ms 53 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
46 ms 46 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_briefshell.cfm
42 ms 42 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm
41 ms 41 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
38 ms 38 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
37 ms 37 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
34 ms 34 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
33 ms 33 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
24 ms 24 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
9 ms 9 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
5 ms 5 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
5 ms 5 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
4 ms 4 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
4 ms 4 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
3 ms 1 ms 3 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_views.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
1 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
730 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_book_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=3ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 	ezine_preview_bb_link, ezine_preview_title
		FROM 	ezine_previews
		WHERE 	ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=50, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		top 50 reader_review_reviewer_email_address, count(reader_review_reviewer_email_address) as "count"
	FROM 		reader_reviews
	WHERE 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address like '%@%'
	AND 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address <> 'reviews@bookbrowse.com'
	GROUP BY 	reader_review_reviewer_email_address
	
	
	ORDER BY 	count desc
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_author_name (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT author_number, 
        CASE WHEN datalength(author_middle_initial) > 0 then author_first_name + ' ' + author_middle_initial + '. ' + author_last_name
            ELSE author_first_name + ' ' + author_last_name
            END "author_name"
        FROM authors 
        WHERE author_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1801

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=52ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=115ms, Records=22) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 10899

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:51.051
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 10899

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=178ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=91ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p10899

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 10899

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=6ms, Records=8) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1801
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1801

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 10899.0

IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=2ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'kag1139806@hotmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'janellciatti@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'csadelstein@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'katecorona1@yahoo.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'pbarnes7@columbus.rr.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'worleyps49@gmail.com'
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=8ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=28ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 04:35:52.052
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order%3Dp%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; FREEACCESSCOUNT=0; CFID=4086078; CFTOKEN=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4086078%26CFTOKEN%23%3D5f67eca040de453%2D0EA84E75%2D0E3B%2D22F1%2D9B48E43D6AF8FE80%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2004%3A35%3A51%27%7D%23hitcount%3D94%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2004%3A35%3A35%27%7D%23cftoken%3D5f67eca040de453%2D0EA84E75%2D0E3B%2D22F1%2D9B48E43D6AF8FE80%23cfid%3D4086078%23
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=/ezine_preview_number/10899/page/3/order/bw/the-swans-of-fifth-avenue
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/reader_reviews/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4086078
cftoken=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
hitcount=96
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 04:35:52'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 04:35:35'}
urltoken=CFID=4086078&CFTOKEN=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order=p#member_number=0#member_active_flag=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4086078&CFTOKEN#=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80#lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 04:35:51'}#hitcount=94#timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 04:35:35'}#cftoken=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80#cfid=4086078#
CFID=4086078
CFTOKEN=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
FREEACCESSCOUNT=0
Session Variables:
cfid=4086078
cftoken=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4086078_5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
urltoken=CFID=4086078&CFTOKEN=5f67eca040de453-0EA84E75-0E3B-22F1-9B48E43D6AF8FE80
URL Parameters:
ezine_preview_number=10899
order=bw
page=3
the-swans-of-fifth-avenue=
Debug Rendering Time: 20 ms