If you've seen the film, you still have to read the book. This is the STORY that the film, Capote, is about. The way this is written is interesting and as is said in the film, it reads like fiction. In case you are interested in journalism and creative nonfiction, this is one of the earliest books that used this "new journalism" as it was called at the time. For anyone interested in this kind of writing, Capote's book is an example to behold.

Truman Capote really dug deep into the psyche of 2 cold-blooded, basically psychopathic, murderers in this true crime story. You can tell an enormous amount of research went into this book. Capote created a quite disturbing yet strangely fascinating psychological portrait of the 2 killers. Not necessarily a short read, since there are no chapters just large breaks in paragraphs, but it's never boring and well worth the read.

It was slow at first, but I loved everything about it. I loved the attention to detail to the point I felt I was there. I loved the emotion that was expressed in the book. I love how he was able to take a true crime story that was so emotional, but at the same time make it a good read.

I've read many true crime stories and this was far my favorite.

This book is a beautifully written piece of journalistic prose. It was entrancing to read and definately not for the faint of heart. Capote manages to portray the characters - from victim to killer and everyone in between - in a very real light and in a very short period usually. This book rings of truth in the fatalistic way of justice and fallen man. One of the best written books I've read in awhile.

This one of the classic books that is based on true events. I really love how Copote writes. It is like you actually know the people in the book. I read this for the first time when I was about 16 years old. It has remained close to the top of my all time favorite books. On the same level as "To Kill A Mockingbird". Rich in detail and seems to follow the facts of the case very closely. Please read this book! It is amazing!

Actual true crime in the 1950's. A movie was made of this. In Cold Blood is about 2 ex convicts scheming on a supposedly "wealthy" farmer , who they were told in prison , kept a lot of cash in a personal safe in his home. They go there and end up killing the entire family. I think they got about five or ten bucks. They both end up with the death penalty.

The subject matter was horrifying, but the writing was so beautiful, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Amazon.com
"Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans--in fact, few Kansans--had ever heard of Holcomb. Like the waters of the river, like the motorists on the highway, and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptional happenings, had never stopped there." If all Truman Capote did was invent a new genre--journalism written with the language and structure of literature--this "nonfiction novel" about the brutal slaying of the Clutter family by two would-be robbers would be remembered as a trail-blazing experiment that has influenced countless writers. But Capote achieved more than that. He wrote a true masterpiece of creative nonfiction. The images of this tale continue to resonate in our minds: 16-year-old Nancy Clutter teaching a friend how to bake a cherry pie, Dick Hickock's black '49 Chevrolet sedan, Perry Smith's Gibson guitar and his dreams of gold in a tropical paradise--the blood on the walls and the final "thud-snap" of the rope-broken necks.

This is a true crime book about the murder of a whole family that took place in Kansas in the late 1950's.

great read. interesting. didn't make me squeemish

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This was probably one of the first true crime stories i ever read, years ago--lots of years ago--You know how when you read a good book it stays in your memory? Well it still has a lasting effect on me. I believe because i found the book so interesting i have been drawn to true crime ever since. I would read this again, it was that well written.

Terrible and excellent at the same time, Capote is brilliant in the way that he builds the true story of a Kansas farm family's murder and the two men behind it. What is interesting about the story is how Capote built a relationship with the murderers and how he was able to get their version of events. This is a very important book to American literature and not to be missed!

I read this book in Paris, I clearly remember sitting in bed with the breeze blowing into the room from the small terrace when I got to the place where the murders are accomplished: I literally froze, terrified. A year or so ago, I re-read it, shocked at my lack of real emotion to the same exact scene. That's what happens to you after watching the Towers you saw go UP (it was the new view at the end of Sullivan Street) come DOWN in two minutes.

This book is a classic, required reading for students of American literature.

The story is truly fascinating. I do think the writing dragged a bit in some places, but overall a good book.

It is truly a testament to the talent of Truman Capote that this book is still fresh and riveting after so many years of publication.

Excellent book. Was definitely one of the first true crime books, though written as a novel. Had to remind myself that Truman didn't make this stuff up, and that all the characters (crazy or otherwise) were real. A very good book and quick read.

Classic! Very well written and chilling.

Brand new copy released when the movie came out. The book is very specific, great read IF you are one for details.

Outstanding, quick read.

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