In Cold Blood is really, really good. Seriously shivering good. I thought it would be a bit more of a mystery novel, a true crime where you followed police procedure, but in fact it’s a fascinating study of character.
The 1950s small Kansas town where the murder takes place is brilliantly painted–you can hear the voices of the different townspeople. What’s extraordinary though is the way Capote portrays the killers. You get inside their heads, and have a measure of sympathy for them–but then you see them from another characters’ point of view, and you begin to see a much more complex picture. He doesn’t go for caricature or easy answers; instead you get contradictory viewpoints, as in real life. And though the book isn’t dated, it conjures up 1950s America as if you were there.
There’s hardly any suspense in it, really: you know the victims died, and you know the killers were caught and executed. He tells you so. There isn’t really even any emphasis on how these things happened. What keeps me turning the pages is the gradual building up of character, the question of why these things happened.
I wasn’t expecting this–especially after seeing the film Capote–but the author is invisible; what you get instead is the impression that the people involved are speaking directly. Of course this is an illusion, but it’s interesting how Capote obscures himself. I’m about 2/3 of the way through and am trying to read slowly so it lasts.
Were you aware of the conspiracy theory – which I think has some merit but not a lot – that In Cold Blood was actually written by Harper Lee and that Truman Capote was the real author of To Kill A Mockingbird?
Based on the idea that Lee and Capote were close friends, both gay, and that Lee was a journalist who never wrote another novel, and Capote a writer of fiction.
Just wondered.
Too preoccupied with the grandkittens to be writing much at the moment.
Capote is actually my favorite author. May I recommend some of his short fiction? Handcarved Coffins is stunning. I’m always excited when people talk about his work, perhaps encouraging others to read it because his persona wouldn’t make you think he could be that incredible a writer.
You’re pumping breasts, giving talks, writing books (huge congrats on The Sun giveaway btw), and, presumably having some kind of life (it sounds more exciting than mine, anyway) and you still have time to read.
Women are amazing, we should be ruling the world (not me, I’m struggling to keep the days ticking over) but young, vibrant women like you.
Rosie…TKAM is one of my favourite books ever, and I just can’t think of anyone else writing it. But that’s an interesting theory. Congrats on the grandkitties!
Jo, I’ve read Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but that’s it. I’ll definitely look for his other stories.
Liz…well, I don’t have much of a life, but I do agree that women should be ruling the world.
Naw, I agree with Liz. You’re my hero.
Seriously, I don’t know how you do it.
I read books slowly to make them last too, but the ones I slow down on are usually yours – they’re just too good to finish quickly!
Lynne