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mborer23's review against another edition
3.0
Capote's most infamous work, the unfinished Answered Prayers finished him both publicly and personally. The work would have been a roman a clef, a collection of thinly-veiled sordid tidbits about the society women (and men) that Capote had grown close to over the course of his life.
The most salacious part, "La Cote Basque," was published in Esquire, which led to Capote's rich friends deserting him. One woman, Ann Woodward, committed suicide after the chapter was published, since it contained a fictionalized account of her shooting of her husband, a shooting ruled accidental in court.
Why would Capote write such a thing, then not follow through? A possible theory is presented in the previously-reviewed Tiny Terror. At any rate, this is kind of an unsatisfying read, as it remains forever unfinished. Recommended for Capote completists only.
The most salacious part, "La Cote Basque," was published in Esquire, which led to Capote's rich friends deserting him. One woman, Ann Woodward, committed suicide after the chapter was published, since it contained a fictionalized account of her shooting of her husband, a shooting ruled accidental in court.
Why would Capote write such a thing, then not follow through? A possible theory is presented in the previously-reviewed Tiny Terror. At any rate, this is kind of an unsatisfying read, as it remains forever unfinished. Recommended for Capote completists only.
sanrio912's review against another edition
There’s nothing new compared to the articles that were already in print and it shouldn’t have been republished in my opinion. It feels like a way for the publishing company responsible for the original (and multiple) deals to claw back some of the money they sunk into the project.
I feel like it can’t be judged on a normal basis because of this. He was a deeply troubled addict who got lost in the celebrity sauce.
I feel like it can’t be judged on a normal basis because of this. He was a deeply troubled addict who got lost in the celebrity sauce.
marginson's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
midnightcowboy's review against another edition
4.0
Very well-written, I just wish it were finished. La Côte Basque seemed to be another story entirely, although fitting with the theme of gossip, did not lend much in the way of this novel (but it was also probably my favorite chapter). Still, overall it was all incredibly entertaining.
lilisilver's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
eyress's review against another edition
2.0
Answered Prayers consists of a few chapters that Capote envisioned being included in a whole book about his socialite friends and acquaintances. He published them first in Esquire magazine, and those friends were more than a little angry. And I can see why--Capote certainly doesn't paint them in a very gracious light.
He died before he wrote any more, which is probably for the best. Typically, I really like Capote, but this was a little much for me--mostly about the sexual and/or adulterous exploits of the elite people he knew. Tabloid/gossip fodder, straight from the mouths of the subjects. No thanks.
He died before he wrote any more, which is probably for the best. Typically, I really like Capote, but this was a little much for me--mostly about the sexual and/or adulterous exploits of the elite people he knew. Tabloid/gossip fodder, straight from the mouths of the subjects. No thanks.
hiiiiiinat's review against another edition
1.75
Messy, confusing, and sad in the context of his failing health in the last decade or so in his life. You can tell he is a distinguished craftsman, but it feels wasted on this convoluted and self-aggrandizing narrative. It would be one thing for it to be just narratively all over the place, but for it to be that and a story about a mean man who traipses around the world providing sexual favors for the insuffrerable bourgeoisie - this was too much for me.
I understand that this is not a representation of his best work - I'm still considering giving ICB a chance, but I'm not rushing to do so after the painful reading experience that was getting through this.
I understand that this is not a representation of his best work - I'm still considering giving ICB a chance, but I'm not rushing to do so after the painful reading experience that was getting through this.
sagewaldorf's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0