A review by bugfriend
Answered Prayers by Truman Capote

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Answered Prayers is the novel that Capote claimed to be working on for the last ~20 years of his life. All that survives of it are three chapters that were published in Esquire in 1976 (if I remember correctly), and they make up this book. The three chapters are wildly different. The first, "Unspoiled Monsters" is largely Capote's ruminations on sex. P.B. Jones, the narrator, is a blatant self-insert and it's important to know that Capote was routinely sexually abused at his boarding school by the other boys and 1+ teachers (according to Gerald Clarke's biography). That knowledge changes the tone of the chapter and gives it what depth it has. Without that knowledge, "Unspoiled Monsters" comes off as crass and insensitive. The second chapter, "Kate McCloud" is typical Capote. Kate is a beautifully crafted character, and that chapter left me wishing the book was finished, as it promised the same genius as Breakfast at Tiffany's. The third chapter, "La Cote Basque" cannot follow up "Kate McCloud." It's gossipy and pointless, and while its publication plays a large role in the course of Capote's life, it lacks much value beyond that. I would recommend reading only "Kate McCloud," or that and "Unspoiled Monsters" if you're in the mood for reading someone work through their trauma unsuccessfully.