Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

13 reviews

vivisms_82's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

If you have seen the 1961 film, just be prepared this novella of which it is based is vastly different. Holly Golightly is a very modern woman for its 1958 publication. As much as I adore Audrey Hepburn and I think she did great with the script she was given, I like this Holly so much more. Set in the 1940s, on the upper east side of Manhattan, an unknown narrator recounts meeting slender, Tawny haired, Holly and their time together. We meet Holly in 1943; she is nearly 19 years old. A tale of escape; the endless pursuit of searching for one's place in the world whilst trying to be true to who they are. 

Michael C. Hall narrates and he is marvellous.

Spoilers ahead!!

I love Holly - she is hedonistic but not obnoxiously so. She has interesting views for the time; no doubt a reflection of the numerous ladies in Capote's circle :) She is of the opinion people should be able to marry whomever they wish, thinks most people are bi-sexual, she has had 11 sexual partners (it is implied this is somewhat in exchange for money, jewellery and her cafe-society lifestyle but also because she dam well wants too!). She regularly visits a man in prison - he gives her $100 each visit in exchange for her company and her passing on information to his mafia "family" on the outside. She gets pregnant by Jose but miscarries during her deep despair and grief over the death of her beloved brother Fred. She lives life to the beat of her own drum and will not be tied down to anyone or anything. I love her voice, the free-spirit, open-mindedness she has. The sad truth is that this is mostly influenced by circumstance beyond her control - her and her brother were orphaned in Texas and went on to live with a man called Doc and his children. He then marries her before she is even 14 yrs old! No wonder she ran away and sought out a world of carefree fun and glitz with little regard for sensibility and responsibility. She likes her freedom and regular mentions her dislike for animals being caged. Tiffany's is the only place she feels calms her anxiety and restlessness. The last we hear from her is in 1956 where she was in Africa and a statue was made in her likeness. 

Brilliant!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Grief, and Death of parent

abijoupansy's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Grief, and Lesbophobia

malebrina's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death and Grief

lucyrudd's review

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Grief, Alcohol, and War

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

2.5

Full disclosure - I have never watched the movie adaptation with Audrey Hepburn. However, I did go into reading Breakfast at Tiffany's with pre-conceived notions. I expected this to be a lighthearted novella. It was not. For starters, Truman Capote sure does love him some racial slurs. And Holly Golightly was just a sad train wreck of a character. But also, boy was this campy and very, very gay.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Miscarriage, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

hexa's review against another edition

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

mermaidsherbet's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, Stalking, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and War

juliaraimondi's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

leonormsousa's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Lesbophobia

cherryredmarlene'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? Yes

3.5

3 stars for Breakfast at Tiffany‘s itself but 3.5 because I liked the other stories included in this edition, especially “A Diamond Guitar”. I actually don’t see the value Breakfast at Tiffany’s has for readers today except your interested in Truman Capote’s works in general. The society and people depicted in this are all quite disgusting, very naturally racist and white supremacy also isn't anything other than some quirky character trait  in here. I of course see how racism at that time was much more widely accepted than today and can differentiate, but because in Breakfast at Tiffany’s I don’t see any other aspect than the writing style (which is good but also doesn’t blow your mind) for which this story would be worth reading, I am a little disappointed after finishing it and expected a bit more since this story is made out to be so iconic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol