Scan barcode
lostinfrance's review against another edition
4.0
As a fan of Harper Lee, I have heard whispers of this book--- supposedly Truman was Dill...possibly, she did all the research....you hear these rumors whenever you read articles or books that look at Ms. Lee's life....and yet, this book stayed on my list of "books to read". FINALLY, I made it a priority---and I am so glad I did. This book made time stop for a week--- while I dove into the murder of a family and followed Mr. Capote as he described the murder, the "escape", the search and then the trial of the two men who were found guilty of the crime. Capote's words and descriptions were mesmerizing and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The part I found interesting--- I didn't know anything about the crime or Capote's time in Kansas writing about the event--- but from his writing, I could tell he became close to one of the murderers-- Perry Smith and felt empathy with him. It was pretty evident in his tone. When discussing this book with a friend, he explained that was a fact/opinion that was discussed upon...and that this book is what Capote is best known for--- but this was not his true writing style. He apparently lived to regret this book as it defined him for the rest of his life. That being said, I plan to attack more of Capote's books--- because I would like to see what his 'other' writing style is like.
Read: if you like a good mystery- and if you like to see how a murder investigation was dealt with back in the 60s (1959) and how it can affect a community. Also, read if you are interested in American Literature.
The part I found interesting--- I didn't know anything about the crime or Capote's time in Kansas writing about the event--- but from his writing, I could tell he became close to one of the murderers-- Perry Smith and felt empathy with him. It was pretty evident in his tone. When discussing this book with a friend, he explained that was a fact/opinion that was discussed upon...and that this book is what Capote is best known for--- but this was not his true writing style. He apparently lived to regret this book as it defined him for the rest of his life. That being said, I plan to attack more of Capote's books--- because I would like to see what his 'other' writing style is like.
Read: if you like a good mystery- and if you like to see how a murder investigation was dealt with back in the 60s (1959) and how it can affect a community. Also, read if you are interested in American Literature.
smaandeekens's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure about the "faction" genre at first, but now that I've tried, I think it works pretty well! It's also written well and captiviting at moments. That's why I was considering giving 4 stars. However, if I, who likes true crime and is very interested in (criminal) law, already found it a bit too long at times, then it's certainly not unlikely that others feel the same (or all the more so).
whenyoursadreadabook's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.25
I had to read this for my English class. I was good for a school book. I really liked the story but I felt it got lost. We learn a lot about the Clutters and the killers but I wish we had more of the actual investigation. I really liked how it switches pov’s throughout the book.
scremily's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
1.0
angorarabbit's review against another edition
Questions regarding the author’s reliability and violence.
aaamartins's review against another edition
3.0
The book is extremely well written (giving us excellent quotes), and interesting to a fault when it comes to describing the crime scene, the trial and the moment they died through the penalty. Although there’s great elements about this book, there’s also some things that I personally didn’t like and made the rating lower than what it could be, I felt that he dragged a lot of the book, I was there for the particular murder and the sentencing and I received mostly excessive background and information on people and scenarios that I didn’t care for before, during and after the knowing of the crime, if it had 100-150/200 pages less and more straight to the point the rating would be higher, this book had an outstanding potential that wasn’t met and for that I can only say it’s deeply tragic…
runjnee's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this more than I ended up doing. Some of the detail added to the experience, much of it detracted. I found the beginning with the family quite fascinating, up until the murder. Got angry with the book for a bit as I wrestled with its self description as a true narrative of events while actually being more dramatised. Felt very lukewarm and even a bit bored up until the early 200s when the boys get caught. Steamed through from there to the finish line, partly because it had picked up and partly just to get it over with.
I wouldn't really recommend reading this unless you have a particular interest in the genre or Capote.
I wouldn't really recommend reading this unless you have a particular interest in the genre or Capote.
blakeok's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
equal parts beautiful and week-ruiningly horrifying. one of the best books i’ve ever read