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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Written when Truman Capote was only 23 years old, it is a confusing, dream-like Southern Gothic novel which thinly alludes to Truman's own struggles with loneliness, loss of a father, and being a homosexual in a small southern town in the early part of the 20th century. There is a little bit of story, but it's mostly words strung together to evoke feelings. If you can't tell by now, I prefer a good story!
I really enjoyed the imagery and the characters in this book. It drips symbolism. Capote's early work is more lush than his later.
Capote <3 A beautiful monologue begins in Chapter 8, about 5 pages in, begins with "Let me begin by telling. . ." and goes until the end of the chapter. If you don't read this book, just read that monologue.
This was way more complicated than I expected it to be - fascinating to read, especially having just read Answered Prayers - the difference between the first novel and the last was striking.
[2.5 Stars]
My Video Review (Spoilers):
https://youtu.be/86qxtxzcjQE
For now, it was different than what I expected. I think it was interesting reading In Cold Blood first before reading this one. I found they actually have some overlapping themes, but the ending was very rushed, I thought. I'm going to do some more research and compile my notes, so I hope that video is up in the next week or two.
My Video Review (Spoilers):
https://youtu.be/86qxtxzcjQE
For now, it was different than what I expected. I think it was interesting reading In Cold Blood first before reading this one. I found they actually have some overlapping themes, but the ending was very rushed, I thought. I'm going to do some more research and compile my notes, so I hope that video is up in the next week or two.
I didn't hate this book but I'd be lying if I said I liked it. It had some interesting elements and the writing is certainly unique but it can be annoyingly orotund at times and hard to follow. There wasn't much story to grasp on to and it felt almost like a memory of dream. Just as it's no fun to have someone in life try to relate the memory of a dream to you, this book can be tedious. I felt like the characters were interesting but they needed more to do. It also just ends. Oh, and it's a real damn bummer.
I love the dream-like quality of Capote's storytelling in this book. It very much reminded me of Bradbury or Conrad, where the images are clear for a minute, but can't quite be grasped. I had to wonder if I was seeing the same things that Joel was, but I fell into it immediately. From the first page there are the questions, "What is happening?" and "What will happen?" And, yet, as many questions as I had, I enjoyed just going for the ride and waiting patiently to see what would unfold.
Half hinched from the unwanted books trolley. Southern gothic turned right up. Missed a turn in the plot somehow so had to seek out an explanation