In Cold Blood in WACKY READING CHALLENGES

Jan 23, 2009 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, crime, literature, library, concierge, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, mexico, true-crime

I first read this "novelized" true-crime book when I was in college, just a few years after it was first published. I think that is what made me interested in this genre of reading. I re-read the book in 2007 for a book-club discussion, and found it just as compelling as the first time.

Simply put, nobody does it better. And writing it nearly - or perhaps definitely - destroyed Capote because he got so caught up in the psychology of the killers (Percy Smith, in particular). It is brilliantly wri ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Chelsey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, 4-star-books, favorites, worth-the-hype

4 Stars

I love to read (and watch) anything related to True Crime. In Cold Blood is often labeled as one of the classic true crime novels to read. So, I have been looking forward to reading it. The only thing you really need to know before going in to this book is what to expect style wise. Unlike some of the more popular true crime that’s coming out now, this isn’t a simple collection and presentation of facts. In the vein of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil this is very much litera 4 Stars

I love to read (and watch) anything related to True Crime. In Cold Blood is often labeled as one of the classic true crime novels to read. So, I have been looking forward to reading it. The only thing you really need to know before going in to this book is what to expect style wise. Unlike some of the more popular true crime that’s coming out now, this isn’t a simple collection and presentation of facts. In the vein of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil this is very much literary nonfiction. The story is more than just the facts of the case. Capote paints a picture with his words and attempts to humanize, or at least explain, some of the murderer’s behaviors.

The novel is divided into four parts. Part one focused on the lead up to the murder; it demonstrates what a wonderful, innocent, almost picture perfect family the Clutter family was. It also began to detail some small bits of information about the perpetrators. Part 2 focused on the immediate aftermath of the murders, the reactions of townsfolk, and the escape made by Perry and Smith while slowly revealing more about their pasts. This was probably the least interesting part, if I had to pick. It felt a bit redundant to hear the same story and opinion from several different people from town. It did, however, add another layer to the atrocity; it really showed the impact a horrific crime like this has on people who aren’t directly connected to the victims.

Part 3 focused on the arrest and more development of the characters of Perry & Smith. We come to know some of their most intense struggles and feelings. Through Capote’s writing for a moment, just a moment, I almost have pity for the pair. Finally, part four followed through on the trial and ending for the two convicts.

Even if you know most of the details to this case, this book is still well worth a read. Capote’s brilliant writing really makes this something special to read. Although it doesn’t require a ton of brainpower, it will make you think. What would you do? How would you feel? If you like true crime, you should definitely give this a read!
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Jun 05, 2008 Nancy rated it really liked it

This is the father of the true crime novel, and it is chilling in its journalistic neutrality. It seems that this book can cause vastly differing opinions among readers, but I found the story of the cold blooded murder of the Clutter family of Holcombe, Kansas by two ex-cons on parole a fascinating exploration into the darkness of humanity and the cold side of human psychology. Capote clearly treated this novel as a labour of love - it is meticulously researched and often dense in its prose. But ...more

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Nov 26, 2015 Debra Barstad rated it liked it

This book was based on a true account of a murder that took place in the late 1950's in a small town in Kansas. Two men took the life of 4 family members in the night. This story was interesting but in some places the story got off key in my opinion that included ramblings that did not strengthen the story. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read true crime stories. ...more

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Dec 13, 2016 Ed Lehman added it

Shelves: 1001-list, completed-1001-list-book

about 1978

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Jul 10, 2016 Irene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-physical, love-the-cover, 5-stars, read-in-2016

Great read. It was especially refreshing to read about a real-life, multifaceted tale, reconstructed into a compelling novel. There were certainly some slow parts, but I appreciated that it was done for the sake of detail.

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