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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory is a nostalgic and heartwarming tale of childhood wonder, centered around baking a fruitcake with a beloved family member. This short story masterfully showcases Capote's ability to paint vivid pictures of rural life and capture the spirit of Christmas past.
While it may not possess the same raw energy as his masterpiece 'In Cold Blood', the story's powerful ending delivers an emotional punch, leaving a lasting impression. This story is a timeless classic of childhood innocence, and despite some dated elements, it remains a soft reminder of the Christmas season's simple joys and enduring magic.
While it may not possess the same raw energy as his masterpiece 'In Cold Blood', the story's powerful ending delivers an emotional punch, leaving a lasting impression. This story is a timeless classic of childhood innocence, and despite some dated elements, it remains a soft reminder of the Christmas season's simple joys and enduring magic.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Beautiful lyrical bits throughout this story
Impossibly lovely. Rich with smells and sights and sounds and the nip of winter in the air.
It’s hard to describe, but Capote’s way of telling these stories from his childhood is very... verbal. That’s not the right word, there’s definitely a word for it, but what I mean to say is that it feels much more like you’re being spoken to than reading words on a page. Something about the casual way of the telling and the use of punctuation and sentence structure makes you feel like Truman has pulled you aside and gone “Did I ever tell you about that time...” And it feels natural, like he’s reliving the events right along with you, but not scattered, like he’s told this story a million times and knows exactly where to do an impression or pause dramatically or shake his head.
The effect it produces is powerful: genuine and intimate. It’s a rare gift to be able to spin tales this way without it feeling hokey or like a put-on. And I can’t explain it but it just feels cosy, even among the sadness that lingers at the edges of this story.
The effect it produces is powerful: genuine and intimate. It’s a rare gift to be able to spin tales this way without it feeling hokey or like a put-on. And I can’t explain it but it just feels cosy, even among the sadness that lingers at the edges of this story.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and I hope everyone has a special way to enjoy the season.
Truman Capote’s [b:A Christmas Memory|9919|A Christmas Memory|Truman Capote|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320404365l/9919._SX50_.jpg|386792](1956) is a heartwarming story of friendship, innocence, and the struggles of growing up in the South. It reminded me of [b:To Kill a Mockingbird|2657|To Kill a Mockingbird|Harper Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553383690l/2657._SY75_.jpg|3275794] (1960), which shares similar themes of childhood, love, and loss. Knowing Capote and Harper Lee were friends, it’s easy to imagine his work influencing hers. This story, about a boy and his elderly cousin, is a lovely novella with nostalgic charm.
Gorgeous. The best of the bunch from Capote. Many tears.