Published 1966
True Crime
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
The chilling true crime ‘non-fiction novel’ that made Truman Capote’s name, In Cold Blood is a seminal work of modern prose, a remarkable synthesis of journalistic skill and powerfully evocative narrative.
Controversial and compelling, In Cold Blood reconstructs the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife and both their children. Truman Capote’s comprehensive study of the killings and subsequent investigation explores the circumstances surrounding this terrible crime and the effect it had on those involved. At the centre of his study are the amoral young killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickcock, who, vividly drawn by Capote, are shown to be reprehensible yet entirely and frighteningly human.
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MY REVIEW:
On November 14th, 1959 in the small rural community of Holcomb, Kansas, the American dream became the American nightmare when the popular Clutter family were brutally slaughtered in their home. Their murder sent shockwaves not only through their small town, but the entire country, catching the attention of author Truman Capote, who had been looking for a real story to write in novel form. The result was In Cold Blood, which is considered the first modern True Crime book.
It is an unimaginable crime. Four members of one family – Herb, Bonnie and their children Nancy and Kenyon – were coldly and methodically murdered in their home by two strangers: Perry Smith and Richard Hickock for less than $50, a pair of binoculars and a small radio. It was a senseless crime in a place so safe nobody locked their doors at night and changed the town forever. It is a truly haunting case. I first read the book during my A Levels and it has never left me. I had always been interested in true crime but this was the first full-length book I’d read in the genre and sparked a life-long interest for me. I have re-read it a few times but decided to pick it up again this week when looking for a mood read.
Heartbreaking and harrowing, this is a powerful story. Truman Capote’s decision to juxtapose the lives of the Clutters with that of their killers is a huge part of the book’s strength, building tension, horror, anger and disbelief as we move between the different perspectives. It begins the night before the murders, showing the Clutters going about their normal lives completely unaware of the fate awaiting them, and then moves to show the killers preparing for the crime. In the aftermath, Capote explores the investigation, the perspectives of those who knew the Clutters, the other residents of Holcomb, the killers and people who knew them. It is evocative, raw and deeply human. However, I do think that Capote should have written more about the Clutters and focused the story more on them than on their killers, but overall I think he does a great job at weaving together the many threads to this tragedy and I don’t think the controversies that surround this book take away from its impact.
I am so glad that I re-read this and it remains my favourite true crime book to date. I won’t be giving it a star rating, but I do highly recommend reading this one.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Truman Capote (1924-84) was born in New Orleans. He left school when he was fifteen and subsequently worked for The New Yorker, which provided his first – and last – regular job. He wrote both fiction and non-fiction – short stories, novels and novellas, travel writing, profiles, reportage, memoirs, plays and films; his other works include In Cold Blood (1965), Music for Chameleons (1980) and Answered Prayers (1986).
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Thanks for reaeding, Bibliophiles xxxx
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