'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote (Breakfast at Tiffany's) has been on my reading list for a long time. I finally got around to reading it a few weeks back and well, I am still thinking about the book. The book deals with a true crime that was 'investigated' by a private individual and the resulting investigations may have impacted the punishment meted out to the culprits.
'In Cold Blood' details the story of four members of the Clutter family residing in Holcomb, Kansas in the late 1950's who were gruesomely murdered in their home, one after the other. There was no apparent motive for the crime and it was a seemingly perfect murder with almost no clues left behind. Truman Capote apparently read a short newspaper article carrying news of the murder and was so intrigued by the chain of events, that he along with his close friend Harper Lee (of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' fame) set off to Holcomb to research the facts. What followed was copious amounts of research, numerous interviews with Holcomb residents and gathering as much information about the Clutter family as was possible. Capote then goes on to reconstruct the murder, the ensuing police investigation including the arrest, trial and finally execution of the killers.
What stands out about 'In Cold Blood' is that the outcome / identity of killers is known from the start but still Capote manages to build suspense. I kept turning the pages in sheer awe, disgust, astonishment and anger in turns. Capote has clearly taken some liberties in doing his 'factual assessment' of the situation and the book should not be read as a 100% factual account. Omission of the surviving members' account of the situation coupled with questionable detailed insight into the killers' behavior and mannerisms makes one think Capote had prize winning aspirations at the back of his mind from the onset of this book's journey. However, full credit must be given where it is due. Capote has managed to achieve the seemingly impossible : create some sympathy for the murderers while detailing minute details of a murder committed in the coldest blood.
'In Cold Blood' became the greatest crime seller of its time and is considered a cult classic of its genre. It also created significant controversy with regard to Capote's excessive involvement in an ongoing legal case and whether his involvement may have impacted the judicial process. The fact that Capote 'benefited' from the misfortune of an innocent family also tends to play on one's mind. Despite the criticism 'In Cold Blood ' continues to be regarded highly in the non-fiction crime-writing genre. The 2012 horror movie 'Sinister' has Ethan Hawke explaining to his wife why he must undertake his current venture and how it could be his 'In Cold Blood moment.' Such is the aura of Capote's book. It is undoubtedly heavy reading and may not appeal to all readers. But it will leave you thinking.
'In Cold Blood' details the story of four members of the Clutter family residing in Holcomb, Kansas in the late 1950's who were gruesomely murdered in their home, one after the other. There was no apparent motive for the crime and it was a seemingly perfect murder with almost no clues left behind. Truman Capote apparently read a short newspaper article carrying news of the murder and was so intrigued by the chain of events, that he along with his close friend Harper Lee (of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' fame) set off to Holcomb to research the facts. What followed was copious amounts of research, numerous interviews with Holcomb residents and gathering as much information about the Clutter family as was possible. Capote then goes on to reconstruct the murder, the ensuing police investigation including the arrest, trial and finally execution of the killers.
What stands out about 'In Cold Blood' is that the outcome / identity of killers is known from the start but still Capote manages to build suspense. I kept turning the pages in sheer awe, disgust, astonishment and anger in turns. Capote has clearly taken some liberties in doing his 'factual assessment' of the situation and the book should not be read as a 100% factual account. Omission of the surviving members' account of the situation coupled with questionable detailed insight into the killers' behavior and mannerisms makes one think Capote had prize winning aspirations at the back of his mind from the onset of this book's journey. However, full credit must be given where it is due. Capote has managed to achieve the seemingly impossible : create some sympathy for the murderers while detailing minute details of a murder committed in the coldest blood.
'In Cold Blood' became the greatest crime seller of its time and is considered a cult classic of its genre. It also created significant controversy with regard to Capote's excessive involvement in an ongoing legal case and whether his involvement may have impacted the judicial process. The fact that Capote 'benefited' from the misfortune of an innocent family also tends to play on one's mind. Despite the criticism 'In Cold Blood ' continues to be regarded highly in the non-fiction crime-writing genre. The 2012 horror movie 'Sinister' has Ethan Hawke explaining to his wife why he must undertake his current venture and how it could be his 'In Cold Blood moment.' Such is the aura of Capote's book. It is undoubtedly heavy reading and may not appeal to all readers. But it will leave you thinking.
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