In Cold Blood

Rating:
Summary: A groudbreaking classic
Review: Today, there are so many written works that purport to get into the mind of mass murderers that such works almost seem trite. Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" was the first (and best) of the genre. Capote's account tracks the mass killing of a Kansas family through the arrest and trial of their killers to the execution of the two men responsible. Along the way, he provides an unforgettable account of a truly henious crime and its aftermath. The surprise twist towards the end would have seemed contrived had it been part of a novel and shows the fallacy of assuming we know what motivates a killer. This book is a must read for anyone with interest in criminology.

Rating:
Summary: Story is more applicable now than when it happened
Review: Not only is Capote's mastery of the English language never more evident than in this book, but he turns a subject matter which at the time was astounding and horrific into a sympathetic tale that helps us understand today's serial killers. I felt an understanding and sympath for nearly every player in the book and fuond the level of detail to be amazing for a book that was written after the fact. It read more like a compilation of journals from every person involved in the case.

Rating:
Summary: psycological thriller
Review: After reading this book, I'm convinced Capote was a genius. Knowing it is a true story makes it that much more chilling. Capote's style is refreshingly contemporary without over simplification. The humanity of Perry Smith and inhumanity of his execution (as described by a witnessing "reporter") epitomize the human psyche. Capote handles this enormously complex subject with tremendous objectivity. Highly recommended American classic.

Rating:
Summary: The Humanity of Inhuman Acts
Review: I do not enjoy true crime. We, as a culture, have an unhealthy fascination with such things. However, this book manages to illuminate the human side of such unspeakable acts without glorifying those who commit them. Capote deftly unfolds the story and allows you to focus not on the horrendous acts themselves but the events surrounding them.

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Summary: Cody's In Cold Blood Review
Review: In Coldy Blood by Truman Capote is a very appealing drama that sensationaly depicts the murder of a happy family of four in rural Kansas. Instead of starting at the actual event of the crime Mr. Capote gives background information, both daily activities and personalities, of both the victims and the killers. This helps give the reader a better understanding of both sides of the crime, the killers motive, and the ongoing effect that the crime had on the surrounding community. Mr. Capote also very effectively shifts the setting, plot line, and time line in an interesting technique in telling the story which puts, what to me was the climax, the murder in about the middle of the book. Capote jumps back and forth from the two killers cross-country flight from athorites, to the victims before death, to realitves and friends of both victims and killers, to the tense family life of the head detective on the case, and so on and so on. The only real fault I had with the novel was the sometimes overwhelming use of background informaiton, especialy in the case of Perry Smith's (one of the killers) childhood. It does help the normal person relate to the horrible upbringing that produced such a viloent killer, but it seem to much at time and insignifigant. But overall I did enjoy the book even though I was forced to read it by Mrs. McWain in my junior English Class, I would still recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: IT'S GREAT!
Review: If you are looking for a book that is exciting and also chillling, In Cold Blood is your perfect match. In Cold Blood reveals the story behind the murder of four members of the Clutter family during the 1950's. Capote is able to recreate the night of the murder so accurately that you also will be able to remember that murder scene, even in your sleep. Capote makes you feel as though you were there the night of the murder and the days following, and you will find yourself utterly distraught while you follow the assailants on their cross-country spending spree. This book is thrilling and gives great insight into the criminal mind. If you are looking for a book that will not cause you to fall asleep, this is the one for you.

Rating:
Summary: A "Nonfiction" Novel
Review: In Holcomb, near the western border of Kansas, among wheat fields and desolate buildings, lays a small community of farmers and ranchers. On the morning of November 14, 1959, the Clutter's family of four were murdered by Perry and Dick. Although not the first writer to use actual events as a basis for a novel, Truman Capote narrates there actual events in a documentary style. The mystery of the novel is not who committed the murders, but to discover the identity and motive of the murderers. Capote gave the reader a view of the Clutters as people before they were killed, mot merely murder victims. He creates suspense by giving the description of the murders until Perry's confession and utilizes delays, such as the introduction of new characters, letters from the killer's family, and psychiatric records at the end of the book. One difficulty that a reader may experience could be the long-winded dialogues and letters from perry's family. sometimes the dialogues carry on for so long that it becomes laborious to keep track of what is going on or who's talking at what time. The plot however is not hard to understand or to follow. Characters in the novel are easy to get close to emotionally and mentally. Characterization is handled well by Capote to execute such knowledge of the Clutters and the killers. Capote gives his attention the the years of Perry's troubled childhood, youth, and adulthood including his difficulties with his father and the motorcycle accident that left him crippled. However, Dick's background and character are given inadequate attention, amounting to little more than his penchant for female children,and his conviction that he is a "normal." Capote makes us think how, such evil intrudes into the Clutter world, a world of self-discipline, religious faith, and dedication to hard work. The only order the murderers know is disorder.

Rating:
Summary: So Objective, yet evokes so many emotions
Review: Truman Capote has done such a great work on this book. After reading this book, I felt as if I know all the six characters personally (4 victims and 2 killers.) It gave a completely different insight into american voilence and crime. It is truly haunting. Capote's work is an example of top-class journalism in my opinion. Cannot think of a gray area in this book which tries to illustrate all the gray areas of human nature.

Rating:
Summary: Great book! A chilling true story...
Review: This is a great book... Capote's writing is very clear and well paced, vividly recreating this chilling true story without sensationalism. It is especially fascinating how he probes the psyches and personality dynamics of the two killers. Definitely a true classic.

Rating:
Summary: cold facts that are chillin'
Review: few books can do what this book can do.the cold facts in this book send shivers up and down the spine. as a kansas native, i often hear, "nothing ever happens in kansas" to prove them wrong i tell them to go read the book "In Cold Blood" when we see each other next it is fun to see them go "that happened here?" for a good book that is as chillinag as its true, read "in Cold Blood"