In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
|
List Price: Our Price: $13.42 You Save: $9.58 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.07 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of In Cold Blood
Book Review: Each One Needed the Other
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I add that 450 other reviewers have already written? This book reminded me of the true crime book entitled Judgment Ridge in which two teen-age boys murdered two Dartmouth professors. Each one needed the other in order to carry out the dastardly dark deed. The same is true in the book In Cold Blood. I watched the movie once, then read the book, and watched the movie once more. Usually when you watch a movie and then read the book of the same story significant differences are noticeable. That is not the case here. I found that both the book and movie follow each other very closely. As is the situation with murder cases of this sort there are no winners. Six people are needlessly dead which includes the murderers, when their sure-fire scheme to get rich goes awry. It would be profitable if others who are contemplating foolproof, in their minds, schemes could learn from cases such as this the book will have served its purpose.Book Review: Very Good Nonfiction
Summary: 5 Stars
Considering that this is touted as the break-through work for this genre, I have to say I was surprised at how well-written it was. Additional research that I did has indicated that either much or some (depending upon the source) of what Capote wrote is slanted and flawed. Let's be honest, though; can't that be said about any book in this genre? If one says "black" there will always be those who will claim or try to prove "white."
I feel the author handled his presentation of the key personalities in this story quite well and the reader can get a sense of each person as well as that of the community. I did feel from time to time that the author took some liberties in presenting some portions of the story (the postmistress and conversations at Hartman's to name two) but it did not really detract from the book. As I said, I was quite surprised at how well this book was written.
Book Review: In Cold Blood in a new edition
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great read, a great novel, and a great edition. Capote's work, his illuminating approach to life, exemplified by the contrasts of the killers, the victims, and the hunters of the killers, is a great work of art.
The book reproduces the original 1965 edition and although the paper is not as heavy, it certainly beats the previous smaller Modern Library edition.
When will publishers learn that in order to compete with Brittany Spears, life, death, taxes, and childbirth, they need to give readers beautiful editions with real cloth covers and heavy cream paper, something to treasure. Not some cheap cardboard edition such as, say, my collected Ginsberg, which already is turning brown and edging out of the binding. I'd rather pay another dollar for a $50 book and get something that will stay intact.
Book Review: An American Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best books I have read in my entire life. My only regret is that I did not read it sooner. This is a true crime masterpiece. Truman Capote painted a masterstroke with every page. He was able to capture this terrible and violent story in such a way that I do not believe that any other author could have done in a million lifetimes. The way he captured the image of that sleepy town, the family who was killed, and everyone involed in the crime from the killers to the investigators was nothing short of extrordinary. Mr. Capote remains un biased from beginning to end. This is a book I plan or reading many more times to remind me what great writing is all about. It was too bad Mr. capote never wrote another true crime piece again because I believe it was his true calling.Book Review: Terrifying True Crime
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best books I have ever read. I like the genre of true crime, but this was far better than the average true tale of murder. The depth of this book was incredible. Capote writes so descriptively that I had to put the book down periodically because it was so real and so intense.
The amount of research Capote did for this was staggering. He left no stone unturned. I loved reading about the time period, which came to life with the recounting. I rented the 1968 movie with (ironically) Robert Blake doing a superb job as Perry Smith, and John Forsythe as Detective Dewey. I wonder what ever happened to all the survivors in this tale. How did they live their lives out?