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Will Byrnes's Reviews > In Cold Blood
In Cold Blood
by
Truman Capote - image from the NY Post
This is one of the great ones. Capote blankets Holcomb, Kansas with his curiosity. The root of this work is a ghastly crime. Two recently released convicts, seeking a fortune that did not exist, invade the Clutter family home, tie up the four family members present and leave no witnesses. It takes some time for the perpetrators to be identified, then tracked down. Capote looks at how the townspeople react to this. Many, fearful that one of their own was responsible, become withdrawn. How do people mourn? He looks at the sequence of investigation that leads ultimately to the capture of the suspects, focusing on one of the chief investigators. He looks in depth at the criminals. What makes them tick? How could people do such awful things? In reading this I was reminded of some of the great panoramic art works of a bygone age, works by Bosch, or Breughel, in which entire towns were brought together into one wide-screen image. This is what Capote has done. But even with all the territory he covers there is considerable depth. I was also reminded, for an entirely different reason of Thomas Hardy. Capote has an incredible gift for language. He writes beautifully, offering descriptions that can bring to tears anyone who truly loves language. It has the power of poetry. This is truly a classic, a book that defined a new genre of literature. If you haven’t read it, you must.
Murderers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith - image from ABC Australia
In case you are in the market and in the neighborhood, this 10/24/19 item from SF Gate by Clare Trapasso, might be of interest - The Untold Story Behind the Infamous 'In Cold Blood' Murder House—and Why It's for Sale
by
Will Byrnes's review
bookshelves: nonfiction, all-time-favorites-non-fiction, favorites, journalism, brain-candy
Oct 20, 2008
bookshelves: nonfiction, all-time-favorites-non-fiction, favorites, journalism, brain-candy
Truman Capote - image from the NY Post
This is one of the great ones. Capote blankets Holcomb, Kansas with his curiosity. The root of this work is a ghastly crime. Two recently released convicts, seeking a fortune that did not exist, invade the Clutter family home, tie up the four family members present and leave no witnesses. It takes some time for the perpetrators to be identified, then tracked down. Capote looks at how the townspeople react to this. Many, fearful that one of their own was responsible, become withdrawn. How do people mourn? He looks at the sequence of investigation that leads ultimately to the capture of the suspects, focusing on one of the chief investigators. He looks in depth at the criminals. What makes them tick? How could people do such awful things? In reading this I was reminded of some of the great panoramic art works of a bygone age, works by Bosch, or Breughel, in which entire towns were brought together into one wide-screen image. This is what Capote has done. But even with all the territory he covers there is considerable depth. I was also reminded, for an entirely different reason of Thomas Hardy. Capote has an incredible gift for language. He writes beautifully, offering descriptions that can bring to tears anyone who truly loves language. It has the power of poetry. This is truly a classic, a book that defined a new genre of literature. If you haven’t read it, you must.
Murderers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith - image from ABC Australia
In case you are in the market and in the neighborhood, this 10/24/19 item from SF Gate by Clare Trapasso, might be of interest - The Untold Story Behind the Infamous 'In Cold Blood' Murder House—and Why It's for Sale
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Quotes Will Liked
“Imagination, of course, can open any door - turn the key and let terror walk right in.”
― In Cold Blood
― In Cold Blood
Reading Progress
Started Reading
June 1, 2006
–
Finished Reading
October 20, 2008
– Shelved
October 20, 2008
– Shelved as:
nonfiction
November 5, 2008
– Shelved as:
all-time-favorites-non-fiction
January 28, 2011
– Shelved as:
favorites
July 12, 2012
– Shelved as:
journalism
November 2, 2012
– Shelved as:
brain-candy
Comments Showing 1-50 of 51 (51 new)
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Tom LA
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rated it 4 stars
Oct 09, 2015 02:38PM
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It is one of the all time greats
From what I understand, Capote created a whole new genre by writing a non-fiction book that read like fiction story. Gripping.
I read this in high school. I liked it. I liked how Capote told the story more though.
Classic if there ever was one. Excellent review
It's on my shelves n now add it to the ten I want to get to this week LOL
This was one of the best books I read this year.
Rachel wrote: "It's on my shelves n now add it to the ten I want to get to this week LOL"only ten?
Wayne wrote: "This was one of the best books I read this year."Or are likely to read any year
Nick wrote: "Classic if there ever was one. Excellent review"It is. Thanks.
Willie, I'm finally finished. This book was GREAT, with capital letters great. I'm so glad you think so too and I totally agree with you about the language. I love you <3
It is one of the greatest
Will, agreed. In my review, I refer to it as The Great American Literary Work. Sensational! Btw, nice review!
Thanks, Greg. It is a truly amazing book.
I finished this a while back as part of a group read - it was the liveliest group discussion I've ever participated in! Capote triggered so many thoughts/feelings with his story and words and the controversy of how it was written. I love your analogy: I was reminded of some of the great panoramic art works of a bygone age . . . And indeed, he is an amazing writer.A classic that defined a new genre - the non-fiction novel!
This is definitely top-notch book group fodder.
Will wrote: "This is definitely top-notch book group fodder."Amen! If you have not seen this NYer article from 2013, I think you will enjoy it. https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...
Thanks for the link. Read it. Pretty interesting stuff.
... I find this true story more chilling than the fictional Psycho ...
Sadly, there is good cause to find real-world sociopathy chilling. There is so much of it all around us.
Terrific review Will. I read this one many years ago and several times since then. Capote was weird, an alcoholic but totally a genius.
Thanks, Glenda. An odd character, for sure, but an amazing writer, and his issues with alcohol are certainly common enough great writers.
I have been meaning to read this for years. Thanks for the review.
It really is one of the all time greats.
I remember reading this when it first came out (I was in high school), and the genre was called "non-fiction fiction." 40+ years later, I still get chills remember some of Capote's descriptive passages.
Thank you very much for this fine, concise review, dear Will. best. uk
Kathy wrote: "I remember reading this when it first came out (I was in high school), and the genre was called "non-fiction fiction." 40+ years later, I still get chills remember some of Capote's descriptive pass..."It defined a new category of writing
uk wrote: "Thank you very much for this fine, concise review, dear Will. best. uk"Thank you, uk
Wonderful review and captures my feelings exactly. The first time I read this I was astounded by how Capote could make something so beautiful out of something so tragic.
Thanks Andrea. This really was a seminal book.
Mine too...and...yes it is.
Thank you for your terrific review, Will.I read this so long ago, before college, so probably in the late 1960s. I can't remember whether I read the book or saw the movie first, but both were excellent, each complementing the other. Now merged completely in my mind. Truly a masterpiece.
Thank you, William. For me it was seeing the film first, and some years before I got around to reading the book. The film was very well done. The book gave birth to a whole new literary genre.
The film biopic Capote (2005) with Philip Seymour Hoffman, about the case and the writing of the book, was terrific, too. Catherine Keener plays a young Nelle Harper Lee as well, quite wonderfully.
Have not seen that one. Must add it to my Netflix queue.
I’m currently listening to this on my Audible!
Many think it's the second best thing Harper Lee ever wrote.
Deborah wrote: "Many think it's the second best thing Harper Lee ever wrote."And Christopher Marlowe wasn't really killed by his best friends. He fled to Italy and co-wrote with Shakespeare.
Right?
William wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Many think it's the second best thing Harper Lee ever wrote."And Philip Marlowe wasn't really killed by his best friends. He fled to Italy and co-wrote with Shakespeare.
Right?"
You don't seem to know the history of Lee and Capote during the writing of this book. She went to Kansas with him, did most of the in-depth interviews, (as people were put off by Capote), and she contributed over 150 pages of notes. Much of the writing smacks of her trademark cadence. I'm not sure why you felt a snarky comment was necessary but I'll ignore it and assume you didn't know this.
My comment was that many literary works are not clearly by only one author.My apologies.
I do think it is one of America's greatest books.
Truly
Deborah wrote: "William wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Many think it's the second best thing Harper Lee ever wrote."And Philip Marlowe wasn't really killed by his best friends. He fled to Italy and co-wrote with Shakes..."
Although I do believe she never completely forgave Capote for not acknowledging her contributions. He dedicated the book to her, and to his longtime partner. Lee and Capote remained friends, however.
I just watched the movie and it's quite lovely
Thank you Will for your great review. I read this book in 1969 four years after it was published. Saw the movie too. I will never forget either. Hope to reread it some day and hope I can get through it without anxiety.
Thanks, Celia. The film was outstanding!
I just watched the movie
