Scan barcode
clmckinney's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Swan Song last year, I have been meaning to read Truman Capote's Answered Prayers. They are great companion pieces. I liked this book. I appreciate his sharp wit, and interesting stories. I mean the stories here are very tawdry. They are all about gossips and illicit behaviour. His dry delivery is comic and tragic at the same time. There is something interesting about Truman Capote. Especially the mythical proportions of this book of stories. Getting it published seemed a herculean effort. And then you see how he was capable of such incredible malice. He takes this precarious seat at the table of gay auteurs who have contributed to gay culture. There is definitely some questionable stuff described in this book, but his story telling propels you past the obvious blemishes. I will tackle Music For Chameleons at some point. This one gets a 4/5.
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
robyn1998's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the atmosphere and the writing style. It was such a load of bullshit though, I'm surprised it's based in real life. Will have to learn more about truman capote, it seems like a pretty juicy life he lived
moominbit's review against another edition
1.0
On the back of my copy of this book a quote from Time Out calls it "a literary gem".
The only way I can agree, is that this book reads like a nasty gemstone's cut.
The temporary shine only hides a bloody mess.
The three unfinished stories tell of various forms of wealthy white misery told by an even more miserable narrator who doesn't seem quite sure whether he wants to be in or even tell his own stories most of the time. The little left by Capote for the public to read has been quite enough cocktails, despair, hateful gossip and heavy life loathing bile spewing I can take.
I came to this book after having read the truly dazzling "Swan Song" by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott. And the best I can say about Capote's unfinished novel is that it somehow inspired Greenberg-Jephcott to write the story of how a gifted writer wrote himself out of his friendships and his talent.
The only way I can agree, is that this book reads like a nasty gemstone's cut.
The temporary shine only hides a bloody mess.
The three unfinished stories tell of various forms of wealthy white misery told by an even more miserable narrator who doesn't seem quite sure whether he wants to be in or even tell his own stories most of the time. The little left by Capote for the public to read has been quite enough cocktails, despair, hateful gossip and heavy life loathing bile spewing I can take.
I came to this book after having read the truly dazzling "Swan Song" by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott. And the best I can say about Capote's unfinished novel is that it somehow inspired Greenberg-Jephcott to write the story of how a gifted writer wrote himself out of his friendships and his talent.
jackieeh's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, Capote, with your genre-defying cattiness. I haven't struggled this long over which shelves to put something on in a long time. For instance: this is a fictionalization, and obviously some stuff is made up, and, yes, it's a novel, but I couldn't help but put it on my Not Fiction shelf because c'mon. Also Paris figured into it glancingly, but if ever a book was about booze and sexuality (the other two criteria for that shelf) it's this one.
And, Truman, you gave me hell with the star rating system too. Because I would have given the first half of the book ("Unspoiled Monsters") four stars easy for sheer audacity and those great moments that were really about writing and how scary it is and what a huge leap of faith every, every time. And the YMCA. But the rest of it? Meh. I could have done with five fewer gross stories about socialites and a little more Kate McCloud. For such a lurking presence offstage she got pretty short shrift when she eventually showed up. (Yes, this is an unfinished novel. Shhh. I've got my editing goggles on.)
I think I got about 60% of the references to real people. There should really be a Norton of this, complete with footnotes.
And, Truman, you gave me hell with the star rating system too. Because I would have given the first half of the book ("Unspoiled Monsters") four stars easy for sheer audacity and those great moments that were really about writing and how scary it is and what a huge leap of faith every, every time. And the YMCA. But the rest of it? Meh. I could have done with five fewer gross stories about socialites and a little more Kate McCloud. For such a lurking presence offstage she got pretty short shrift when she eventually showed up. (Yes, this is an unfinished novel. Shhh. I've got my editing goggles on.)
I think I got about 60% of the references to real people. There should really be a Norton of this, complete with footnotes.
fernando_rgc's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
axmed's review against another edition
I could not finish this book, because the racist way that racialized people are depicted or talked about in the book, without giving them any agency is really terrible.
wondarlice's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0