emilywrites's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
iaintcorinne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emmacraig's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
inesmeow's review against another edition
4.0
A few of the short stories are 5 star wonderful, but a few were just bit more boring. I admire Capote’s mission for perfecting his writing and the effort truly shows! This book felt personal and exciting, like an old pal talking to me :) Handcarved Coffins, being the main event, is a great read for any “In Cold Blood” fans. My personal favorite was the retelling of his banter with Marilyn Monroe in “Conversational Portraits.”
minnizyb's review against another edition
4.0
I normally do not like short stories at all; Truman Capote is the first writer who made them interesting enough that I couldn't put the book down.
btwmiguel's review against another edition
3.0
La prosa de Truman Capote se desliza ágil y agradable. La sinopsis del libro peca de amabilidad, diciendo que Capote recopila"entrevistas" cuando lo que cuenta son conversaciones; conversaciones interesantes y bien escritas, cabe destacar.
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
5.0
Even though Truman Capote is known for creating Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, his best character will always be Truman Capote.
Music for Chameleons is a short story collection from Truman Capote, and Capote is a character in almost every single one of them. But the line between fact and fiction is blurred here, as we are never quite sure if the events described actually happened or if Capote made it up as he went along. It doesn't matter, though, because Capote is such a masterful storyteller that, for the most part, you are willing to believe that, yes, he did run away with Marilyn Monroe after attending an industry veteran's funeral.
Anyway, a super solid short story collection that will draw you in even if you are not a fan of Capote. He writes like fine wine, and partaking in his writing is a delightful experience unto itself. Here are some quick reviews of the stories in this collection.
Music for Chameleons
The namesake of the book is also one of the book's strangest. I don't really know what to make of the story, but Capote's sharp dialogue carries the story all the way through. And it's a short entry in this collection, so it didn't bother me much that the aristocrat made no sense whatsoever.
Mr Jones
Who is Mr Jones? Why did he disappear? How did he REAPPEAR? A short and sweet story that is packed with intrigue and suspense. I don't think Capote meant for it to be read like a thriller, but Mr Jones inadvertently became a character of a noir novel somehow.
A Lamp in the Window
One of my personal favorites in this book because of the little twist towards the end. It almost read like a Stephen King novel, and Capote certainly has the chops to write horror if he so wanted to. The moral of the story is to never trust cat lady, especially the ones living in the middle of nowhere.
Mojave
The only story I skipped throughout the collection. Nothing was connecting with me, and the characters weren't popping at all.
Hospitality
Another Stephen King -esque story, but without the blood and gore. Capote's aunt (or mother) is the kind of lady who was more than willing to invite strangers over for a meal. This short story is about her accidentally inviting a fugitive not her home, only to realise it much later.
Dazzle
Another one of my favorites, complete with a surprisingly touching twist. I've always known that Capote is gay, but for some reason, his sexuality didn't come up when I was reading this entry of Capote as a young child. His confession to the "witch" towards the end was both heartfelt and sad at the same time, and I truly enjoyed this one.
Handcarved Coffins
This novella reminded me a little of watching David Fincher's Zodiac, released a few years ago. Here, Capote dabbles with true crime once again, as he did with In Cold Blood. Only, this time, the crime is made up, and there isn't a killer at the end of the story to identify. Again, Capote is a character in his own story, but the gist is really about obsession and how it can drive a man over the edge even if he is supposedly on the right side of the law. I especially enjoyed how Capote presents both discrediting and condemning evidence for the novella's supposed antagonist, and it is up to us, the readers, to join the dots at the very end.
A Day's Work
I have a feeling that this one actually happened. Capote follows a cleaning lady around New York City as she visits some of her high-end clients.
Hello, Stranger
I honestly don't remember much about this one other than the fact that I enjoyed it when I read it. Oops.
Hidden Gardens
This one is a little strange as Capote goes to great length to describe his childhood home in New Orleans and the interesting characters that crew up there. His meeting with a friend towards the end was delightful, but the rest of the story didn't actually work. But Capote's prose is, well, Capote's prose, and it is strong and lyrical enough to carry you all the way through.
Derring-do
Derring-do is Capote's attempt at writing a spy novel, almost, or at least it felt that way. It begins with Capote trapped in a phone booth at an airport, and policemen are after him with a warrant -- wait, how did all of this happen again? Derring-do is expertly framed and keeps the readers' intrigue up high throughout the story. It even comes with a deus ex machina that, surprisingly, doesn't feel at all like one. I rolled with it and it became one of my favorites as well.
Then It All Came Down
A short and almost sequel to In Cold Blood, in a way, where Capote meets with an inmate on death row and talks to him about his impending doom. Brief yet insightful, you really start to wonder why Capote never bothered with writing more true crime novels. I know, in the prologue, he said that he wanted to diversify, but still.
A Beautiful Child
We don't know much about Marilyn Monroe, which is why this story is so utterly refreshing. As a friend of Monroe's in real life, Capote writes of an impromptu escapade with the superstar after attending a funeral. Along the way, they share secrets and stories, and you come to find out the true side of Marilyn Monroe. Of course, none of this can be fact-checked, but it is delightful to find out that Monroe is quite foul-mouthed if she wants to, a stark contrast to her image in the media. She is, as Capote describes at the end, a beautiful child indeed.
Nocturnal Turnings, or How Siamese Twins Have Sex
This is the one where Truman Capote interviews Truman Capote. Capote has never been shy about his sexuality, but he is on full-on honesty mode here. He chats about life, fame, sex and, surprisingly, religion. One half of himself is constantly judging and correcting the other half, which made this an immensely interesting read.
Music for Chameleons is a short story collection from Truman Capote, and Capote is a character in almost every single one of them. But the line between fact and fiction is blurred here, as we are never quite sure if the events described actually happened or if Capote made it up as he went along. It doesn't matter, though, because Capote is such a masterful storyteller that, for the most part, you are willing to believe that, yes, he did run away with Marilyn Monroe after attending an industry veteran's funeral.
Anyway, a super solid short story collection that will draw you in even if you are not a fan of Capote. He writes like fine wine, and partaking in his writing is a delightful experience unto itself. Here are some quick reviews of the stories in this collection.
Music for Chameleons
The namesake of the book is also one of the book's strangest. I don't really know what to make of the story, but Capote's sharp dialogue carries the story all the way through. And it's a short entry in this collection, so it didn't bother me much that the aristocrat made no sense whatsoever.
Mr Jones
Who is Mr Jones? Why did he disappear? How did he REAPPEAR? A short and sweet story that is packed with intrigue and suspense. I don't think Capote meant for it to be read like a thriller, but Mr Jones inadvertently became a character of a noir novel somehow.
A Lamp in the Window
One of my personal favorites in this book because of the little twist towards the end. It almost read like a Stephen King novel, and Capote certainly has the chops to write horror if he so wanted to. The moral of the story is to never trust cat lady, especially the ones living in the middle of nowhere.
Mojave
The only story I skipped throughout the collection. Nothing was connecting with me, and the characters weren't popping at all.
Hospitality
Another Stephen King -esque story, but without the blood and gore. Capote's aunt (or mother) is the kind of lady who was more than willing to invite strangers over for a meal. This short story is about her accidentally inviting a fugitive not her home, only to realise it much later.
Dazzle
Another one of my favorites, complete with a surprisingly touching twist. I've always known that Capote is gay, but for some reason, his sexuality didn't come up when I was reading this entry of Capote as a young child. His confession to the "witch" towards the end was both heartfelt and sad at the same time, and I truly enjoyed this one.
Handcarved Coffins
This novella reminded me a little of watching David Fincher's Zodiac, released a few years ago. Here, Capote dabbles with true crime once again, as he did with In Cold Blood. Only, this time, the crime is made up, and there isn't a killer at the end of the story to identify. Again, Capote is a character in his own story, but the gist is really about obsession and how it can drive a man over the edge even if he is supposedly on the right side of the law. I especially enjoyed how Capote presents both discrediting and condemning evidence for the novella's supposed antagonist, and it is up to us, the readers, to join the dots at the very end.
A Day's Work
I have a feeling that this one actually happened. Capote follows a cleaning lady around New York City as she visits some of her high-end clients.
Hello, Stranger
I honestly don't remember much about this one other than the fact that I enjoyed it when I read it. Oops.
Hidden Gardens
This one is a little strange as Capote goes to great length to describe his childhood home in New Orleans and the interesting characters that crew up there. His meeting with a friend towards the end was delightful, but the rest of the story didn't actually work. But Capote's prose is, well, Capote's prose, and it is strong and lyrical enough to carry you all the way through.
Derring-do
Derring-do is Capote's attempt at writing a spy novel, almost, or at least it felt that way. It begins with Capote trapped in a phone booth at an airport, and policemen are after him with a warrant -- wait, how did all of this happen again? Derring-do is expertly framed and keeps the readers' intrigue up high throughout the story. It even comes with a deus ex machina that, surprisingly, doesn't feel at all like one. I rolled with it and it became one of my favorites as well.
Then It All Came Down
A short and almost sequel to In Cold Blood, in a way, where Capote meets with an inmate on death row and talks to him about his impending doom. Brief yet insightful, you really start to wonder why Capote never bothered with writing more true crime novels. I know, in the prologue, he said that he wanted to diversify, but still.
A Beautiful Child
We don't know much about Marilyn Monroe, which is why this story is so utterly refreshing. As a friend of Monroe's in real life, Capote writes of an impromptu escapade with the superstar after attending a funeral. Along the way, they share secrets and stories, and you come to find out the true side of Marilyn Monroe. Of course, none of this can be fact-checked, but it is delightful to find out that Monroe is quite foul-mouthed if she wants to, a stark contrast to her image in the media. She is, as Capote describes at the end, a beautiful child indeed.
Nocturnal Turnings, or How Siamese Twins Have Sex
This is the one where Truman Capote interviews Truman Capote. Capote has never been shy about his sexuality, but he is on full-on honesty mode here. He chats about life, fame, sex and, surprisingly, religion. One half of himself is constantly judging and correcting the other half, which made this an immensely interesting read.
rosiev425's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
romrosp's review against another edition
5.0
A Beautiful Child TIME: 28 APRIL 1955.
...
THE MAN: What’s yours?
MARILYN: My name? Marilyn.
THE MAN: That’s what I thought. My wife will never believe me. Can I have your autograph?
(He produced a business card and a pen; using her purse to write on, she wrote: God Bless You—Marilyn Monroe)
MARILYN: Thank you.
THE MAN: Thank you. Wait’ll I show this back at the office. (We continued to the edge of the pier, and listened to the water sloshing against it.)
MARILYN: I used to ask for autographs. Sometimes I still do. Last year Clark Gable was sitting next to me in Chasen’s, and I asked him to sign my napkin.
(Leaning against a mooring stanchion, she presented a profile: Galatea surveying unconquered distances. Breezes fluffed her hair, and her head turned toward me with an ethereal ease, as though a breeze had swiveled it.)
TC: So when do we feed the birds? I’m hungry, too. It’s late, and we never had lunch.
MARILYN: Remember, I said if anybody ever asked you what I was like, what Marilyn Monroe was really like—well, how would you answer them? (Her tone was teaseful, mocking, yet earnest, too: she wanted an honest reply) I bet you’d tell them I was a slob. A banana split.
TC: Of course. But I’d also say …
(The light was leaving. She seemed to fade with it, blend with the sky and clouds, recede beyond them. I wanted to lift my voice louder than the seagulls’ cries and call her back: Marilyn! Marilyn, why did everything have to turn out the way it did? Why does life have to be so fucking rotten?)
TC: I’d say …
MARILYN: I can’t hear you.
TC: I’d say you are a beautiful child.
...
THE MAN: What’s yours?
MARILYN: My name? Marilyn.
THE MAN: That’s what I thought. My wife will never believe me. Can I have your autograph?
(He produced a business card and a pen; using her purse to write on, she wrote: God Bless You—Marilyn Monroe)
MARILYN: Thank you.
THE MAN: Thank you. Wait’ll I show this back at the office. (We continued to the edge of the pier, and listened to the water sloshing against it.)
MARILYN: I used to ask for autographs. Sometimes I still do. Last year Clark Gable was sitting next to me in Chasen’s, and I asked him to sign my napkin.
(Leaning against a mooring stanchion, she presented a profile: Galatea surveying unconquered distances. Breezes fluffed her hair, and her head turned toward me with an ethereal ease, as though a breeze had swiveled it.)
TC: So when do we feed the birds? I’m hungry, too. It’s late, and we never had lunch.
MARILYN: Remember, I said if anybody ever asked you what I was like, what Marilyn Monroe was really like—well, how would you answer them? (Her tone was teaseful, mocking, yet earnest, too: she wanted an honest reply) I bet you’d tell them I was a slob. A banana split.
TC: Of course. But I’d also say …
(The light was leaving. She seemed to fade with it, blend with the sky and clouds, recede beyond them. I wanted to lift my voice louder than the seagulls’ cries and call her back: Marilyn! Marilyn, why did everything have to turn out the way it did? Why does life have to be so fucking rotten?)
TC: I’d say …
MARILYN: I can’t hear you.
TC: I’d say you are a beautiful child.