A review by issieburton
Summer Crossing by Truman Capote

1.0

I picked this up as I’m a big fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and this was described to me as a precursor. Whilst I appreciate the beauty in finding a lost manuscript, this novel really misses the maturity of Capote’s better known works. His youth and inexperience is palpable throughout as it lacks structure and the characters lack the substance and liveliness he is known for. It’s an honourable early attempt, but I think had Truman have had the chance to refine it, I’d be rating it higher.

My favourite part of this book was actually the afterword. Alan Schwartz explains how Summer Crossing was discovered and imagines Capote’s response to its publication with an endearing nostalgia for their friendship.