Helpful Score: 5
This book is a beautifully written piece of journalistic prose. It was entrancing to read and definately not for the faint of heart. Capote manages to portray the characters - from victim to killer and everyone in between - in a very real light and in a very short period usually. This book rings of truth in the fatalistic way of justice and fallen man. One of the best written books I've read in awhile.
Helpful Score: 5
If you've seen the film, you still have to read the book. This is the STORY that the film, Capote, is about. The way this is written is interesting and as is said in the film, it reads like fiction. In case you are interested in journalism and creative nonfiction, this is one of the earliest books that used this "new journalism" as it was called at the time. For anyone interested in this kind of writing, Capote's book is an example to behold.
Helpful Score: 3
"In Cold Blood" is less about the particulars of that awful crime one horrific night in Kansas than it is about the insidiousness of what childhood abuse and feeling disenfranchised can do to a person. It would be easy to focus on the horror and sadness of this massacre, but the brilliance of Capote is that the focus is placed on the murderers and trying to engender compassion from the reader for them. With Capote's vision in writing, he almost gets us there. After the capture and imprisonment of these two men, you can physically feel the fear in their hearts for their own condemnation. Perry's fear of execution is especially haunting. This book is a must read for anyone who likes to read. It does not matter that it was written 40 years ago. It transcends all genres, because even though the story is horrific, the writing is phenomenal, and you will never forget it.
Helpful Score: 3
This one of the classic books that is based on true events. I really love how Copote writes. It is like you actually know the people in the book. I read this for the first time when I was about 16 years old. It has remained close to the top of my all time favorite books. On the same level as "To Kill A Mockingbird". Rich in detail and seems to follow the facts of the case very closely. Please read this book! It is amazing!
Helpful Score: 2
It was slow at first, but I loved everything about it. I loved the attention to detail to the point I felt I was there. I loved the emotion that was expressed in the book. I love how he was able to take a true crime story that was so emotional, but at the same time make it a good read.
I've read many true crime stories and this was far my favorite.
I've read many true crime stories and this was far my favorite.
