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trin's review against another edition
2.0
Mystery box book #19!
Truman Capote writing fake Tumblr stories decades before Tumblr.
Everyone Clapped, Oppa Homeless Style, and the Down With Cis Bus are all more convincing than "Handcarved Coffins," the "nonfiction novel" at the center of this collection. Listen, I know In Cold Blood was largely/in part B.S., but it was effective and atmospheric and feels like it contains enough truth to be, if not real, than somehow realer than real. "Handcarved Coffins," likemost of the other pieces in Music for Chameleons, feels faux.
Also Capote claims to have slept with Errol Flynn, which: sure, Jan.
And yet I feel kind of bad for him! The book opens with a grandiose introduction in which he brags about his in-progress magnum opus, Answered Prayers, which he never finished; it ends with a piece that's him masturbating/talking to himself, which made me wrinkle my nose and then feel deeply sad. This is not a book written by a man doing well. It's also not a very good book. In every way, I'm sorry, Truman.
Truman Capote writing fake Tumblr stories decades before Tumblr.
Everyone Clapped, Oppa Homeless Style, and the Down With Cis Bus are all more convincing than "Handcarved Coffins," the "nonfiction novel" at the center of this collection. Listen, I know In Cold Blood was largely/in part B.S., but it was effective and atmospheric and feels like it contains enough truth to be, if not real, than somehow realer than real. "Handcarved Coffins," likemost of the other pieces in Music for Chameleons, feels faux.
Also Capote claims to have slept with Errol Flynn, which: sure, Jan.
And yet I feel kind of bad for him! The book opens with a grandiose introduction in which he brags about his in-progress magnum opus, Answered Prayers, which he never finished; it ends with a piece that's him masturbating/talking to himself, which made me wrinkle my nose and then feel deeply sad. This is not a book written by a man doing well. It's also not a very good book. In every way, I'm sorry, Truman.
alyssajcori's review against another edition
5.0
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy short stories! In this book you get a mix of short stories, followed by a longer story, followed by more short stories - win, win, win. From conversations with Marilyn Monroe, to unsolved murders, to unusual and ordinary people in unique situations, this book is a delight at each page. The writing is compelling and there's something delicious about just getting a small taste of each character.
kieranmgarvey's review
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
asiachudzik's review
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Though I don’t love short stories, there were some really interesting insights into Truman Capotes life and the life of people around him. I didn’t really know much about him going into it so some of it was highly intriguing. As always, I love his writing style so it was a very enjoyable read in that sense.
callieactuallyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I didn’t have the highest of expectations for this given the general decline in quality of his work post In Cold Blood (i.e. his failed ‘masterpiece’ Answered Prayers). However I was pleasantly surprised at the perceptiveness and consistency of style in this collection of stories. Capote proved he had a distinct voice that needed to be put front and center in his work and that’s exactly what he does here in an array of settings. He also proved that in spite of everything, he had immutable talent as a writer.
roxinsox's review against another edition
5.0
Sensational! Non-Fiction accounts of everything from growing up in New Orleans to spending the day with Marilyn.
I've read and re-read and will re-read this book again.
Even if you are not much for short stories, or Capote - these tales will take you away.
I've read and re-read and will re-read this book again.
Even if you are not much for short stories, or Capote - these tales will take you away.
chrissybeach94's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0