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Summary: very interesting...and it tend to get you INTO the story...
Review: This book has a very interesting story, it's very detailed from beginning to the end. I think to be able to understand this book, age 15 or older is recommended.
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Summary: When a simple robbery goes horribly wrong
Review: While In Cold Blood has a chilling, gruesome an twisted plot in itself, the only thing more twisted than this plot is the minds of the charachters themselves. Not only was the crime heinous and horrifying, the psycological reasons behind could have filled a book twice the length of this one. Thankfully, Mr. Capote knew exactly what the right blend of physical evidence, (plot), and psycho-history would draw the reader in, yet not confuse the average Joe's mind. And the depth and description of the actual slayings is horrific, yet fascinating. I give this book a 9 only because of the extensive background of every single other inmate on Death Row with the two. It really detracted from the story. It was kind of like saying after 20 pages: "Oh yeah, back to the main charachters." All in all, however, a great book.
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Summary: This book changed my outlook on capital punishment
Review: In June 1996 I sat my English A level exam. One of the set texts was Capote's "In Cold Blood". I had always been a staunch believer in capital punishment but having read this book my views were somewhat changed. However, that is not to say that Capote's account is biased in any way. Rather, just as the reader is beginning to feel a certain amount of sympathy for the murderers, having learned about their childhoods, in particular, Perry Smith's violent, abusive upbringing, Capote throws in a poignant memory of the murdered family, just to keep one on the level. I felt gutted when I'd finished this book. It is certainly one of the most compelling reads of all time without being gratuitously violent or exaggerated.
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Summary: The Other Side of the American Dream
Review: Truman Capote broke literary ground with this "true fiction" about an actual murder of a Kansas family. Despite the fact that one knows the family is going to be murdered, and that the killers will eventually be caught, one is still wrapped in suspense due to Capote's skillful construction of the story - using certain techniques, he generates suspense and a certain mood, thus making the book read like a first rate crime novel. In this book, Capote explores the other side of the American dream. The Clutters, who seem to embody the American dream; their lives come to a murderous end in the hands of Dick and Perry, for reasons that seemed to come on the wings of chance - the Clutters could have been any other ideal American family. Through his skill, Capote shows the veneer that is the life of the Clutters, who seemed to be living the dream. The compelling notion that is revealed, though, is that both Dick and Perry are trying to live the American dream. But their version of it takes them on a much different, darker course. Capote artfully crafts a suspenseful novel, which is in of itself a real page-turner, but manages to slip in some insightful observations on the psychology of criminals, and a dark reflection of how the American dream can have a twisted, dark aspect to it. This is one of the few books I've read in recent times that kept me wanting to get back to it everytime I set it down. Read it, be entertained, be enlightened.
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Summary: My "First One" was not gentle, but it was the best!
Review: I read this book when it first came out in 1966, and it was the book that hooked me forever on the study of true crime. I was just 13 at the time, and could feel the horror of what being there must have been like for the children of the Clutter family. Since then I have reread it several times and am never disappointed with the writing, or any less shaken by the crime itself.
Mr. Capote's fine telling of the cold and brutal slaying of this "every man's family" leaves the reader with the haunting message that it can happen to anyone, anywhere
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Summary: IT CAPTURED THE WORST MURDER IN KANSAS
Review: THIS IS A DEFINITE BOOK TO READ. IT CAPTURED THE WORST MURDER IN KANSAS AND UNFOLDED IT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES. TRUMAN CAPOTE REALLY OUT DID HIMSELF. I READ IT ALL NIGHT LONG
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Summary: Spectacular writing from one of the best writers of all time
Review: This is THE definitive example of what reporting and writing about a real life crime should be. I read this book in the late 60's and again in the 80's and now. In all three readings, I not only discover more information, but Capote's insights hit closer to home than ever. A must read
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Summary: Pageturner
Review: Never before have I been captured so much.I couldn't stop reading and ran into people as I was not able to put down the book on my way to work
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Summary: The best!
Review: ...nothing will ever be as good as this Capote classic! I've read loads of books, but nothing has ever, ever been as well written as this book. I truly think nothing ever will! Truly a treasure
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Summary: great, quick read
Review: This is a classic, that I had always wanted to read, but never had...and it was not disappointing. The best part of the book was not the psychological makeup of the killers (though that was excellent), but the way the author captured life in Middle America. For this city dweller, it was eye opening
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