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In Cold Blood by Truman Capote


In Cold Blood is a story centered around 4 murders that occured in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959. The murders were committed without apparent motive and literally no clues. This book follows the backstory from the murderer's young lives, the families triumphs, the fateful night, the investigation, the trial, jail life, and justice. This book was reconstructed by Truman Capote, and a movie was based off his writing this novel in 2005.


The book looks at many aspects of the crime, both from the murderer's and victim's perspective. It starts with the victims, and this is where he are painted a vivid picture of a farming and ranching lifestyle in Western Kansas. It talks about the struggle that farmers go through, and ties in a lot of concepts that are quite easy to realte to. We see the relationships between people, and this is the best part of the book. This beginning section of description really gives us all the aspects of this family. The hard-working father, the invalid and sick mother, the ideal daughter, and the son who is searching for his path. Thrown in this mix are all the characters involved in small town life: workers, cafe owners, teachers, investigators, lawyers, other farmers, gas station attendants, and also an array of people from many different areas of the country including Alaska, Mexico, Florida, Las Vegas, and Japan. I think the "small town" atmosphere plays a huge role in this book.


Capote really wrote an amazing book. In the back pages, Norman Mailer states, "Truman Capote is the most perfect writer of my generation. He writes the best sentences word for word, rhythm upon rhythm." I have to agree 100% with this. His style of writing is so unique and interesting, that you really can't put the book down. Even in parts where topics seemed irrelevant, Capote kept my interest from cover to cover. Each sentence is so juciy that you are constantly thirsty. His development of character really surpised me, espically with the killers. I know a lot of this was based on interviews and fact, but I know there were some things he made up. I think that is why this is so interesting. Capote made me feel like this was his made up story, rather than based on large amounts of facts.


I'm not sure how he wanted readers to view the killers, but I felt both pity and hatred towards them. The killers relationship is amazing. Their pasts really enhance everything that happens, and it is truly interesting. Some things in their lives I could relate to, others I could not, and I think this added to the mystique.


This was a great book and it really higlights country living and small town happenings. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a great crime drama/mystery.