Truman Capote's Southern Years: Stories from a Monroeville Cousin [Paperback]

Marianne M. Moates (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1996

Although much is known about the mature Truman Capote-his literary genius and flamboyant life-style-details of his childhood years spent in Monroeville, Alabama, have remained a mystery. Truman Capote's Southern Years explores Capote's formative years, the abandonment
by his mother, and his early life in the care of elderly relatives. In Monroeville young Capote formed significant bonds and played childhood games with his cousin, Jennings Faulk Carter, and next door neighbor, Nelle Harper Lee. Through the tales told here by Carter, readers discover the lively imagination and the early tragedies of a brilliant child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A significant contribution to the social history of the era, Truman Capote's Southern Years is delightfully entertaining reading. While we will never know all the reasons for Capote's self-destructive nature, Truman Capote'sSouthern Years gives us some insight into how and why Capote became what he was, both good and bad."

—Southern Living

"The young Truman Capote who emerges from these amusing recollections is quick-witted, scheming, mercurial, and a born leader in mischievous escapades."

—Publisher's Weekly

About the Author

Marianne M. Moatesis an independent writer from Butler, Alabama.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: University Alabama Press (January 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817308156
• ISBN-13: 978-0817308155
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,164,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Capture the Magic & History of Capote's Childhood, January 14, 2002

By 

Sandra Mitchell "Sandra Mitchell" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Truman Capote's Southern Years: Stories from a Monroeville Cousin (Paperback)

If you are fan of writer Truman Capote's works, this is a biography that you won't want to miss. Told from the recollections of family and friends of Capote, Southern Years captures Truman's childhood years and gives us a brief glance at his roots and how he came to be who he was as an adult. We also get an interesting glimpse into Truman's friendship with To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee, who was a childhood and lifelong friend.

Most of the book is told from the perspective of Jennings Faulk, Truman Capotes cousin. Long summer days were spent as curious children growing up in Monroeville. Page after page detail the antics and schemes these young ones got into and you can see how many of the children's real life experiences were translated to the pages of both Capote and Harper Lee's novels. We also get a sad peek into some of the turmoil that Capote faced because of his troubled family life. Knowing his history will give you a better appreciation for his writing and will entertain you at the same time. This is an easy, light read and in many ways will bring you back to your own childhood days of playing outside in the summer time.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stories told beautifully!, May 26, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Truman Capote's Southern Years: Stories from a Monroeville Cousin (Paperback)

The stories were told beautifully. Truman was portrayed as a folk hero of Monroeville, kind of like an Anansi or Brer Rabbit. When I first bought the book, I thought it was going to be boring and scholarly, but not so. A movie could be made of the book. The sadness came through strongly. God gave Truman great abilities, but they were even greater, because Truman hurt.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Was The Best I've Ever Read!!!, June 18, 2002

By 

Princess23 (Elon, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Truman Capote's Southern Years: Stories from a Monroeville Cousin (Paperback)

If you are a true fan of Truman Capote like I am, you will truly enjoy reading Truman Capote's Southern Years. Told through the eyes of his cousin, this book gives you a lot of details of his life, both the good and the bad of it. It was both a hilarious look at his life, and a very sad one too. You get a glimpse of the pain that he suffered throughout his life, and while it doesn't go into it in great detail, it gives you a small glimpse into his homosexuality. Take it from me, once you read this book, you will want to read it again, and again.