In Cold Blood Paperback – February 1, 1994

he also incorporates stylistic elements to make the murders appear more like a plot rather than an actual event

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December 11, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

In Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, Capote wove a tale of deception and brutal killing. The author based his story off of the real-life murders of the Clutter family in 1959. The actual Clutters were slaughtered during a robbery gone wrong, which is also portrayed in the novel. The murderers, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, spent five years on death row until they were hanged as punishment. Capote effectively transformed a horrific robbery/murder to a page-turning novel. The author managed to captivate his audience by shifting point of views from the victims to the murderers. Not only does he accomplish this well, he also incorporates stylistic elements to make the murders appear more like a plot rather than an actual event.
Capote shifts perspective from murderers to the murdered which allows him to convert this real life event to a story plotline. As the reader, we see the murder occur from both perspectives which almost allows us to be separate from the event since it leads to a weaker emotional connection to the story when reading. However, when the reader takes a moment to recall that this actually occurred, it opens a box of emotions. Capote wrote the plot so effectively, we automatically assume it is a work of fiction and forget the harsh realities.
Capote’s well researched insight on the story lends the perspectives of both the Clutter family members and the murders, Perry and Richard, to communicate a clear plotline. He does well to tie up loose ends that may have resulted from the limited availability of knowledge about the murders-which may be the reason why this story seems so fictional. Blurred omniscience lets Capote lead the reader through the rollercoaster of both emotions and action, each page becoming another layer to the overall suspense. The book does justice not only to the victims but the murders as well. Instead of painting Perry and Richard as complete antagonists, capable of only crime , Capote add layers to their personality by explaining the background of each man. The heart wrenching pasts of the duo humanized them, creating an additional element of tension during the brutal slaying of the Clutter family.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Really a wonderful book.

February 14, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I wondered how well this would hold up after having read it many years ago. Fictionalized true crime stories are common now but not when this was published so I wondered if it's impact on me back then was because it had substance or because it was, at the time, new. It holds up more than well. There is grandeur in the storytelling, and a sweep of narrative that is hard to describe, epic in the way it details the arc of their lives. Really a wonderful book.

3 people found this helpful

Truth is stronger than fiction.

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maurice jensen

April 22, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I am more of a consumer than producer. However, even I know of Mr. Capote's work and reputation, though living in the Czech Republic my choice of reading matter pre-Kindle was more limited. I was therefore surprised at the depth and skill of his writing.

One really feels that every strange , even good, aspect of -not only the two main figures, but those around them- is relevant and explained, so that the whole acquires a coherence and completeness never found in a work of fiction.

I read mainly fiction but have now tried a new direction-non-fiction-and in my humble opinion its more interesting for being true.

Also as a picture of 1950's rural America the detail was as fine as that found in your ultra realistic painters' works, if a tad less uplifting!

I shall be back for more, once I have finished my current read. I hope -as a criminal lawyer for 30 odd years, that books like this not only show the danger from criminals who are so because of the damage they have sustained often at the hands of those who should love and care for them, but also how such behaviour MUST change as a result of such knowledge.

In England just now the sexual behaviour of many who were rich and famous is only many years later coming into the public domain. Hopefully such revelations will at least encourage more "whistleblowers".

Skeletons do not improve by being swept into cupboards! Sixty years have gone by since the vents described so graphically occurred bit the message underlying same is still true today. "Your bad actions may create a monster which the State may kill." Is this what you want for your child?

5 people found this helpful

A pioneer of true crime stories

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Tracy Brown

June 30, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

What a sad book. A fascinating read, I hated to put it down even to sleep. Still, it went quickly. Capote painted such a full picture of the two killers , one can't help but wonder if the pair would have met the same fate had people known more about mental illness in 1960. The courts really didn't allow a full defense in limiting the Psychiatric expert witness' answers to yes or no. They were cognizant of what they were doing, but they both were quite clearly mentally ill. Still, mental illness does not equate to insanity.

2 people found this helpful

I was super excited for this book but it's so BORING

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