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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

Wow. I finished Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" today during lunch. I started the book on Saturday and had to force myself to put it down when it got to be too much. My emotions while reading this book were crazy. I cried, I was upset, I almost threw up (and almost made Ben throw up, too, when I read him one section), and I had nightmares. By far the most gruesome and chilling book I've ever read.

A few months ago I read a book called "Capote in Kansas," which is based on the story about Truman Capote going to Kansas (with my idol, Harper Lee) to research writing "In Cold Blood." (I also highly recommend this book) I absolutely loved this book; it was well written, a mystery, and had reference to (again) my literary idol, who wrote my most favorite book. "Capote in Kansas" was a ghost story with Capote beginning his downward spiral in the 80's where he was haunted by the ghosts of the Clutter family (the family murdered in Kansas about which "In Cold Blood" was written) and his relationship with his childhood friend, Lee. After finishing this book, I resolved to read "In Cold Blood," and learn more about the Clutter family.

I bought "In Cold Blood" shortly after finishing "Capote in Kansas" but because of other things going on (and because I had a stack of book club books to read), it took me until last Saturday to dive into the book, which I had been warned by several people was chilling. Now, I think I'll return to "Capote in Kansas" for a re-read because I might get something different out of it after knowing the story of the Clutter murders.

In somewhat alternating sections, Capote reconstructs the murder of Herb, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon Clutter starting by introducing each character and explaining what they did the day they were murdered. Other sections retell the story and relationship of the two murders, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, two men who had spent time in jail together and decided to work together in a scheme that they called "the big score." As I read the beginning and up to the actual description of when the murderers were 'caught,' I kept wondering why these two targeted the Clutters, whom they had never met. The reason came several sections later (and I won't write it here just in case you decide to read the book).

The murders were eventually caught and Capote's description of their personal histories were about as chilling as the actual murders. As soon as I got home today I looked up the murderers online and saw pictures of them....squirly and slimy looking guys.

Even though the story is gruesome and chilling, Capote definitely has a way with words in this new journalistic-style book and it is apparent he spent as long as he did (about 6 years). It is a fascinating story but I would only recommend it if you have a strong stomach and enjoy pshycological/nonfiction stories.

I've got to read something a little (a lot more!) light-hearted next!!

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow...have we talked about In Cold Blood before? It is one of my all-time favorite books..I was a jr in high school when it first came out and I had already read some of Capote's stuff before that. It was a huge best-seller and I read it several times. Then when I was a senior, I participated in Drama and did what they called a "Dramatic Reading" at the state competition with a portion of it. I remember some people got really upset by it. Have you seen the original 1967 movie? Put it on your Netflix or get it from your liberry. It's terrific and one of the stars in Robert Blake who went on to have a crime story of his own in real life. You may remember his story http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Blake_%28actor%29

I am so glad you like it.