Reviews

The Grass Harp by Truman Capote

capote65's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A

4.0

I love Capote so it was nearly impossible that I wasn't going to enjoy this collection of short stories. The Grass Harp is by far the strongest of the stories and beautifully meanders around the town and people in Capote's signature style. Other highlights include Miriam, My Side of the Matter, and Jug of Silver. What makes these stories extra compelling is the opportunity for some insight into Capote's weirder and less grounded ideas, without him having to flesh out those premises fully. 

lajones1_23's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ocurtsinger's review against another edition

4.0

This novella follows the strange and beautiful foray of two unlikely renegades as they shake the quirky balance of Southern small town society. Sometimes fantastical, other times plain spoken, this is some of Capote's finest work. A great summer read.

lattelibrarian's review against another edition

3.0

It's been a very long time since I've read Capote, but this is probably the first time I've really delved into many of his works at once. The Grass Harp was a fun novella, with loveable characters who fall in love and must resist the likes of angry townsfolk who think that their rebellion is just plain silly. The plot is likeable, and I'd actually be very interested to see if there's a movie of it out there! The stories within A Tree of Night, were just as good! My favorites would have to be "Master Misery" and "Miriam," which are both equal parts incredible and spooky. If you're looking for an old time-y read with lots of character, I'd have to recommend this to you. However, I will warn you that because these were written 1949-1951, there's racism and anti-semitism.

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emr158's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sboots89's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

celeswalker's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

3.0

hatseflats's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this collection of Truman Capote short stories. Up until now, I had only read "In Cold Blood". I've already waitlisted another Truman Capote collection, "Music for Chameleons," after enjoying this collection so much. It's no wonder he was considered one of the best American writers of short form fiction during his time.

nikola_zelic's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

nunuseli's review against another edition

2.0

Decepcionante como mínimo. Cierto que hay momentos de gran luminosidad, pero siempre tienes la sensación que avanza a trompicones y tanto personaje excéntrico desfilando cansa. Es una de aquellas obras con las que no puedo conectar, que no me acaban diciendo absolutamente nada.