In Cold Blood

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Summary: Will the real Truman Capote please step foward?
Review: I could not believe that the same Truman Capote that was in a movie as terrible as "Muder by Death" could write something so absolutely captivating as "In Cold Blood". I skipped class for a day so I could finish it. Rarely has a story so prompted me to write one of my own. This is one book worth every cent. If you haven't yet, get your hands on a copy. If you have already read it, do so again. I did

Rating:
Summary: Don't wait, read it now!
Review: Don't see any of the movie adaptations.
If you have seen one, forget it--now-- and
step into the real thing. In Cold Blood takes
you right into the minds of 2 killers in a very
frightening way. You will forget that this is
nonfiction. It's absolutely one of the best books I've ever read

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Summary: A summary of society
Review: Truman Capote writes of a new horror in society. When it was published this was the beginning of senseless violence. Today the book portrays how the senseless violence was predicted in the minds of two. It reaches into the souls of the few who knew the case and the minds of the killers. It is an amazing book that is scary for the many small town folk. A WORK OF GENIUS

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Capote takes you beyond the newspaper headline in this incredible novel. It is more than just a crime novel though. It's a slice of life. Capote captures the mood of a small tiny town in the midst of catastrophe brilliantly. Read this book

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Summary: Novel Killers make Killer Novels
Review: In Capote's "true" account of a multiple murder, the definitive example of a genre that wasn't, (Journalistic Fiction) the author masterfully grasps tone and diction to consistently set a complex scene in "a few perfect details." Whether describing the 1959 murder scene or a quirky hitchhiker, a vocabulary rivaled by few in addition to a deep empathy for his "characters" (one hesitates to label real people "characters") pervade the otherwise objective, journalistic style. The six years that Capote spent collecting information by interviewing countless witnesses and friends of the murdered Clutter family (relying only on his photographic memory, never taking notes or making recordings) paid off by unearthing some long-buried secrets. Confessions such as, "not only had he known the murdered family, he knew very well who had murdered them," fill the text as the mystery, not a whodunit, but a whydunit, is slowly and tantalizingly revealed. Layer by layer, Capote digs toward a motive by fishing red herrings and half-truths from the minds of the accused. His incredible understanding of both killings and killers exemplifies itself throughout the novel, "Perry's expression, his look of unflawed fulfillment, of beatitude, as though at last, and as in one of his dreams, a tall yellow bird had hauled him to heaven." The technique of the author doubtless turns off fans of Holmes and the Hardys because there is never a standard mystery encompassing the plot of what often seems like a 348 page newspaper article. However, Capote rewards those who stick with the book and wade through his verbose, sing-songy style by presenting an engrossing character study; a better subtitle for the book may be "Glimpses into the lives and minds of cold-blooded killers." The text also serves the purpose of serving as a seemingly quiet and innocuous examination of the corruption that false hope in the American Dream festers in the hearts of both the haves and the have-nots. This commentary, however subtle, sticks in the mind of the reader and forces one to examine how much faith one puts on archaic promises and expectations. Always critical of traditional values, Capote weaves and intriguing web of prose which will ensnare the reader's imagination and never allow his book to be put down.

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Summary: Just perfect!
Review: There are only a handful of "perfect" books out in the world. You know what I mean: Books that have a great dramatic arc; books that make "sense;" Books that bring everything together; Books that seem "Classic" even though they might have been written only a few years ago. A few come to mind. Steinbeck's EAST OF EDEN is one. McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD is another. And, yes, IN COLD BLOOD is yet a third. There are a few more, but then, everyone has their opinion, so I'll leave it at that. Suffice it to say that this Capote book will NOT disappoint you with its great yet disturbing story. And lest you think that we're (as a society) numb to murder, violence, and the workings of a sick mind, think again, for Capote's brilliant work will still make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It sounds cliche to say "Classic" but that's just what it is.

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Summary: Cold blooded killers in Kansas--film at eleven
Review: Our book club recently took on IN COLD BLOOD as part of our "Southern author" series. The book before that was equally as good-MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, and that was followed by the riveting and jaw-dropping novel of Jackson McCrae, his now famous BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. Of the three (which we all liked) BLOOD was the most spellbinding. And why not? I took a few minutes to read through the other reviews for Truman Capote's: In Cold Blood. It really disappointed me to learn that the people who have taken the time to read this book are focusing on such unimportant aspects. I've read that people gained a better understanding of the legal system, were able to see inside the heads of two very mentally ill people, enjoyed being fascinated about the diversity of our society and the triumphs of law enforcement. Yes, this is all well and good, but would it really hurt so much to dig past the bluntly obvious? Of course it does all of that, but much, much more. Studying criminal psychology, I read many accounts of murders and dreadful crimes. Not once have I ever come across something of this nature retold with such delicacy and beauty as In Cold Blood is built with. Capote has portrayed a terribly gruesome murder in just enough of the right light for the reader to stomach it; to envision it; to judge it, with fairness and reality; to gain appropriate perspective of the shape a mind takes when overcome by illness and, in other instances, confusion in dealing with something a small town has never seen before. As a sidenote, one thing that especially surprised me when reading this book was the mention of the sheetmusic for 'Comin' Through The Rye' resting on the piano during the part when the detective is visiting the murder scene...I was interested to note the connection between In Cold Blood and the murderous reputation associated with The Catcher in the Rye. Anyway, if you haven't read this one yet, don't do it because you have to...because an English teacher is pushing you...do it because you'd like to witness the work of a masterful author who has the skill and ability to portray the events surrounding a gruesome murder with beauty and elegance.

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Summary: Capote's Masterpiece
Review: While reading this book one must keep in mind that Truman Capote had two very distinct objects in mind as he worked on this project. First, he wanted to write a Nonfiction Novel and in that area he has succeeded marvelously. Many critics have in fact proclaimed this to be Capote's best work. The author's other intent was to make a statement against the death penalty, an object in which he is less successful.

Capote could not have picked a better case to write a novel about but he could hardly have found two condemned men who would illicit less sympathy. My own faith inclines me to oppose the death penalty but I would be hard pressed to stick to my convictions in this case. The crimes perpetrated by these two were of the worst kind and no matter their backgrounds I could muster little sympathy for either of them. Fortunately, Capote spends relatively little time overtly pleading his political case and the novel is not harmed much in this effort.

The novel itself is nothing short of a masterpiece and will keep the reader on the edge of their seat for almost it's entire length. Capote begins what is probably the first True Crime Novel by introducing the reader to both the Clutter family (the intended victims) and Perry Smith and Dick Hickock (the killers) along with the small Kansas town where the crime would take place. The reader follows the Clutter clan as they live their normal lives in the days before their murder and also rides along as Smith and Hickock plan their crime. From there, one rides the roller coaster through the crime, it's discovery, the getaway, the investigation, and the capture, trial, and execution of the perpetrators. Capote weaves his story in such a masterful manner that there will be times when the reader gets completely caught up in the story just as if he/she were there. While reading this book you will become very aware of every little noise outside your house so it may be better to read it during daylight hours.

I would advise anyone who likes Crime Novels or just good novels to put this book near the top of their to read list. The story is disturbing and a little graphic in places but this is the work of a master wordsmith and he has done his job well. This book deserves to be placed much higher than it is in the pantheon of great works of literature.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: When my Sophomore English teacher explained what this book was about, I was very upset. I hated books about murders, they've always upset me. But this book is fantastic! It makes you think about how people work, what makes people tick. I've become more interested in this genre of "true crime" because of how interesting this book is. The way Capote took this newspaper story and made it into a book, like it came from his imagination. You want to feel sorry for Perry, while you want to hate Dick. It's heartbreaking about this family and the book lets you see what's in a killer's mind.

Excellent read. Well worth it.

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Summary: Real story...written realistically
Review: This book not only told an excellent account of a true event, but told it in a remarkable way. The Holcomb town murder of the Clutter's could have been exaggerated and made into a gruesome and unrealistic story, but In Cold Blood seems to take the factual events and portray them in a reader friendly way. Instead of exploiting the Criminals, family members, and the real events, the detailed descriptions plotting through the minds of various people help you to personally understand what an impact the murders made in Holcomb, as well as across the nation. This story is well written, and is done so by a talented author. The only thing I did not enjoy was the the last chapter which seemed to reiterate alot of information from the preceding chapters, but I also realize this may be beneficial for some readers who read this book over a long period of time.