Reev Robledo's Reviews > In Cold Blood
In Cold Blood
by
by
Capote paints perfect pictures of every character. You can almost feel them breathing right beside you. Their thoughts, their mannerisms, their physique, their psyche, etc. Bravo.
He painstakingly describes every detail—with thousands of commas and dashes preceding thousands of commas and dashes—his keen sense of observation (and exaggeration) is both impressive and tiring at the same time. I felt that Truman probably held the details of every interview close to his heart hence a lot of unnecessary banter between town-folk, relatives and even very minor characters were not omitted. The conversations were crucial, but somewhat too plenty.
I couldn't help but think of one of Disney's famous editing principles while reading this book: If it's not important in the telling of the story, cut it out. Of course, this is way beyond the family-oriented themes good ol' Walt implemented. It's gruesome, shocking and certainly deserves the accolade of the "true-crime" genre.
I love how Capote matter-of-factly drops sentences that depict the horror of the crime done after a rather mundane recollection of events. "I slit his throat." is one. Narratives of Nancy, Sue, Al Dewey stood out, perhaps because they had a natural flow to the story-telling and did not sound like a police report. Mrs. Kidwell's dream, though briefly described and wildly unbelievable, was haunting.
Now let me tell you why I am not impressed. My biggest question is: Would I have enjoyed this book if I didn't know that it was real? Will it stand up on its own minus the decades of controversy around it?
The answer lies in the text itself. The book is obviously a novelized transcript of interviews: if it isn't, then it certainly felt like it was. Truman Capote "filled in the blanks" with suppositions, questionable truths, and fictional drama—that wouldn't be an issue had he not boldly claimed his work to be "non-fiction".
It is my belief that Truman wanted to shock the mainstream with his empathic crusade for the murderers. Without question, he had an affinity for Perry and Judge Tate, and a clear distaste for Dick. Perhaps during the interviews, Hickok was appalled by Truman's nosy intrusions and homosexuality—that's just a guess—while Smith was more accommodating.
I am not sure if I am simply desensitized by the countless crime books, tv shows and movies I've seen. But I did not feel an ounce of pity towards the criminals. Things would have probably been different if I had read this in the 60s or 70s when coverage of crimes like these were bold and anti-Hollywood, therefore "cool".
Forgive my natural tendency to reject what's popular...for what most claim to be "a really great novel". I just had too many "Oh c'mon, how could you (Capote) have been there to know that?" moments to merit praise. Based on further research, many of the characters deny that many events in the book (Mrs. Meir having a picnic with Perry in jail for one) really happened.
Had this been categorized as a tale based on true events, then I would have given it double the stars. If you say this story is true, then I'll be doggoned if pertinent details were fabricated just to express that "creative license". It doesn't only not help in the telling of the story, it just makes the story something else entirely—a fictional one.
He painstakingly describes every detail—with thousands of commas and dashes preceding thousands of commas and dashes—his keen sense of observation (and exaggeration) is both impressive and tiring at the same time. I felt that Truman probably held the details of every interview close to his heart hence a lot of unnecessary banter between town-folk, relatives and even very minor characters were not omitted. The conversations were crucial, but somewhat too plenty.
I couldn't help but think of one of Disney's famous editing principles while reading this book: If it's not important in the telling of the story, cut it out. Of course, this is way beyond the family-oriented themes good ol' Walt implemented. It's gruesome, shocking and certainly deserves the accolade of the "true-crime" genre.
I love how Capote matter-of-factly drops sentences that depict the horror of the crime done after a rather mundane recollection of events. "I slit his throat." is one. Narratives of Nancy, Sue, Al Dewey stood out, perhaps because they had a natural flow to the story-telling and did not sound like a police report. Mrs. Kidwell's dream, though briefly described and wildly unbelievable, was haunting.
Now let me tell you why I am not impressed. My biggest question is: Would I have enjoyed this book if I didn't know that it was real? Will it stand up on its own minus the decades of controversy around it?
The answer lies in the text itself. The book is obviously a novelized transcript of interviews: if it isn't, then it certainly felt like it was. Truman Capote "filled in the blanks" with suppositions, questionable truths, and fictional drama—that wouldn't be an issue had he not boldly claimed his work to be "non-fiction".
It is my belief that Truman wanted to shock the mainstream with his empathic crusade for the murderers. Without question, he had an affinity for Perry and Judge Tate, and a clear distaste for Dick. Perhaps during the interviews, Hickok was appalled by Truman's nosy intrusions and homosexuality—that's just a guess—while Smith was more accommodating.
I am not sure if I am simply desensitized by the countless crime books, tv shows and movies I've seen. But I did not feel an ounce of pity towards the criminals. Things would have probably been different if I had read this in the 60s or 70s when coverage of crimes like these were bold and anti-Hollywood, therefore "cool".
Forgive my natural tendency to reject what's popular...for what most claim to be "a really great novel". I just had too many "Oh c'mon, how could you (Capote) have been there to know that?" moments to merit praise. Based on further research, many of the characters deny that many events in the book (Mrs. Meir having a picnic with Perry in jail for one) really happened.
Had this been categorized as a tale based on true events, then I would have given it double the stars. If you say this story is true, then I'll be doggoned if pertinent details were fabricated just to express that "creative license". It doesn't only not help in the telling of the story, it just makes the story something else entirely—a fictional one.
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Reading Progress
August 26, 2012
– Shelved
September 1, 2012
–
Started Reading
September 10, 2012
–
29.15%
"Way behind. Past the initial drag I hope. Here come the bloody details. Terrific..."
page
100
September 12, 2012
–
42.86%
"Truman's research sounds non-fictional and fictional at the same time."
page
147
September 14, 2012
–
55.98%
"Feels like watching an episode of The Mentalist...or any cop-investigator show. I'm guessing storylines like this were a very big thing (due to its unusualness) back then."
page
192
September 16, 2012
–
73.18%
"The book description says "mesmerizing suspense" and "astonishing empathy". Will it hit me in the last hundred pages? :)"
page
251
September 17, 2012
–
76.38%
"Wondering if the book would have garnered this much attention if it wasn't a real story."
page
262
September 20, 2012
–
97.08%
"Since when was the word "prevaricate" part of a common criminal's vocabulary? And Dick hates Perry for using hundred-dollar words? Truman Capote, you're faking it."
page
333
September 20, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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Monique wrote: "The book is obviously a novelized transcript of interviews: if they weren't, then it certainly felt like it was.
This sentence. :)
I love this review. :)"
Thanks! Although, wrong grammar pala yung sentence ko. :-D
This sentence. :)
I love this review. :)"
Thanks! Although, wrong grammar pala yung sentence ko. :-D
I particularly enjoyed the artistic liberty Truman took while writing the book. True or not, he certainly had a way with the words and phrases he used, some overtly repeated, sure, but in a historical sense it's wonderful! As I said in my own review, it's like reading 50 year old dirty laundry, it's a perfect little peephole looking back at a time when everyone talked differently, had different and squeaky morals, only to be rocked by an unprovoked crime.
A good lot of it is real, but it's been discovered that a majority of the interviews were either adlibed or misquoted, and the ending was pure fiction. But there's still beauty in the words, the scenes, in my opinion.
A good lot of it is real, but it's been discovered that a majority of the interviews were either adlibed or misquoted, and the ending was pure fiction. But there's still beauty in the words, the scenes, in my opinion.
Matthew wrote: "I particularly enjoyed the artistic liberty Truman took while writing the book. True or not, he certainly had a way with the words and phrases he used, some overtly repeated, sure, but in a histori..."
Cheers!
Cheers!
I loved this review. This exactly how I felt when I read this book. I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt this way, since I'm supposed to be dazzled by this piece.
Gabriela, I saw your comment just now! Yes, thank you. Hardly dazzling. :)
Maria, I am not surprised. Haha.
Maria, I am not surprised. Haha.
Thanks, you have expressed pretty much why I was unimpressed. I think the book doesn't really know what it wants to be, documentary or novel, and in the end it's just a long, rather tedious reporting of facts. I read this following directly on Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," another book based on a real life murder case, but Atwood's book is a work of art while Capote's, I feel, scores only for effort.
Virtuella wrote: "Thanks, you have expressed pretty much why I was unimpressed. I think the book doesn't really know what it wants to be, documentary or novel, and in the end it's just a long, rather tedious reporti..."
Yes. Gotta check Atwood's work. Thanks.
Yes. Gotta check Atwood's work. Thanks.
Agree with your assessment. I am troubled by Capote's fictional license. I agree that Capote lays as soft mitt on Perry Smith. Don't get it. Both were psychopathic, unapologetic
murderers.
murderers.
Kerr wrote: "Agree with your assessment. I am troubled by Capote's fictional license. I agree that Capote lays as soft mitt on Perry Smith. Don't get it. Both were psychopathic, unapologetic
murderers."
Yes! :)
murderers."
Yes! :)
Jolene wrote: "Your review is spot on! I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in my feelings about this book."
Thanks Jolene.
Thanks Jolene.
I'm mid-way into this book. I agree with your review. I'm not reading further. I not only don't appreciate how Capote seems to be trying to make me feel sympathy for Perry Smith (why else would I have to hear about his childhood?), I don't think a family's slaughter is the material a writer should blend fiction into nonfiction.
Also, I see no reason to carry on since Capote gives the conclusion.
Also, I see no reason to carry on since Capote gives the conclusion.
Michele wrote: "I'm mid-way into this book. I agree with your review. I'm not reading further. I not only don't appreciate how Capote seems to be trying to make me feel sympathy for Perry Smith (why else would I h..."
Thanks. This book needs a(nother) editor.
Thanks. This book needs a(nother) editor.
There's some great interviews with Capote about his writing process. He had enough material for thousands of pages, and enough interview transcripts to fill a small rule. Every word in this book is there for a reason.
Ressha wrote: "There's some great interviews with Capote about his writing process. He had enough material for thousands of pages, and enough interview transcripts to fill a small rule. Every word in this book is..."
He probably fell in love with the transcripts and wrote them verbatim.
He probably fell in love with the transcripts and wrote them verbatim.
100% this!! I completely agree with your assessment. I was feeling like a bit of a dunce reading all these glowing 5 star reviews.
This sentence. :)
I love this review. :)