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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
such a weird book, it was a nice story but kind of confusing at times
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book for an English class at uni and I thought it was decent. It’s no where near my favorite book, but it was interesting enough. However, my biggest gripe with this book is when it comes to its reception, specifically the way people praise this book as great LGBT+ rep where gay people weren’t portrayed as villains and Joel comes to accept his homosexuality. I feel like I read a completely different book because Randolph (the eccentric queer uncle) was clearly a sexual predator and Joel (and Joel’s father) were his victims.
Randolph, a 30 year old man, lured Joel, a 12 year old little boy, to his house with forged letters, kept him from speaking with his aunt (the only other adult in Joel’s life) so he couldn’t leave, and used him as a sexual replacement for his dad (who he shot and paralyzed). If that’s not kidnapping and grooming idk what is! Not to mention Joel spends like 90% of this book trying to run away and escape Randolph. This book read more as a tragedy where Joel comes to accept that he’s going to be trapped in this house pleasuring Randolph for the rest of his life than this great story of coming out and acceptance to me. I feel like everyone ignores the blatant grooming and pedophilia in this book, and praises it for “great LGBT rep” when the way Capote lumps pedophiles and gay people together is more offensive than anything. If I didn’t know Truman Capote was gay I would’ve thought this book was just homophobic propaganda from a time where homophobia was rampant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
"Guardarsi nello specchio a mano divenne perciò un rito: era come se un solo occhio scrutasse per scoprire i segni della maturità, mentre l'altro, a poco a poco, il più attento dei due, frugasse dentro, con il desiderio che egli rimanesse sempre qual era."
While this was not my favorite of sir capote, there is much to appreciate about this debut in its time. 3ish⭐️
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
TBH this book did not make sense to me, and I was disappointed having first year Breakfast at Tiffany's.
I don’t know! Some well-written passages and characterization but I was often confused and annoyed by the way the plot unfolded. I never know how I feel about Capote.
Hated it. I love a southern set novel but this was shit.
I don’t even know how it ended…. It felt like a fever dream and might possibly was.
Head empty, no thoughts.
I don’t even know how it ended…. It felt like a fever dream and might possibly was.
Head empty, no thoughts.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
The vibe of this book is very familiar to me as a person and I don't know if that's good or bad...