Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - In Cold Blood

It’s difficult to give this book a proper rating; my feelings conflict. Bottom line: This is a true crime classic for a reason. While it lags in parts, it’s a great character study. Take it as more fiction than fact.

I enjoyed the lush writing, the extensive world-building, the incredible characterizations. I liked getting to know Holcomb and following the crime from its commission through the murderers’ execution. It is slow paced and there were quite a few passages about the characteristics of Smith and Perry that I think Capote overemphasized. I had to slog through it at points, yet I was captivated by the writing. Very puzzling to experience, but I’m glad I persevered.

But, it is a story about real people. Editorialized, of course. While I’m not aware of the specifics, I know Capote became (too?) close with the murderers, particularly Perry, as he researched for the book. I’ve heard that his portrayal of the Clutters, particularly Bonnie, was simplistic and at times inaccurate.

If you divorce the reality from the narrative that Capote creates, this is a masterful read. My approach was to assume that very few things I read were truly fact and to take the rest as something of a campfire tale - embellished and filled in to make the best effect, rather than to relate things as they happened.

Writing sensibilities in the 60s were different, to be sure, yet as a modern reader I would have loved to see a reflexivity statement at the end — something that told us more about Capote’s relationship to everyone involved and how he went about his research.

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katya_orlova's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

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chacepaulson's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

4.0

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goommi's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

2.75

On my first read of this book I hated it. I may have been too young though because when I re-read it in college I found it to be a lot more interesting. Most people I have talked to did not like the book as a teen but later liked as they were older, so it may just be a book better enjoyed as an adult.

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alexag99's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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