In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences (Transaction Large Print Books)

Rating:
Summary: Real story...written realistically
Review: This book not only told an excellent account of a true event, but told it in a remarkable way. The Holcomb town murder of the Clutter's could have been exaggerated and made into a gruesome and unrealistic story, but In Cold Blood seems to take the factual events and portray them in a reader friendly way. Instead of exploiting the Criminals, family members, and the real events, the detailed descriptions plotting through the minds of various people help you to personally understand what an impact the murders made in Holcomb, as well as across the nation. This story is well written, and is done so by a talented author. The only thing I did not enjoy was the the last chapter which seemed to reiterate alot of information from the preceding chapters, but I also realize this may be beneficial for some readers who read this book over a long period of time.

Rating:
Summary: An important novel, a gripping read.
Review: Truman Capote essentially creates the nonfiction novel here in the harrowing "In Cold Blood." He vividly recounts the horrific murders of the Clutter family, the capture of Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, and their subsequent trial.
It is known Mr. Capote had extensive contact with pretty much all the key individuals, allowing us into the disturbed and disturbing minds of the killers. It's an unnerving journey, yet one well worth taking. The prose is not flowery, but still elegant. It's an easy read, but better savored when taken slowly. The wealth of detail comes from the enormous amount of research done by the author, who conveys said information most effectively. You'll get goosebumps. More than once. It's not totally pleasant.
This stands as one of the most important books of the 20th century, not just for quality, but for influence. Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe are a few of the many authors whose style or approach can be traced back to this.
"In Cold Blood" is a fine way to spend a few hours.

Rating:
Summary: in my opinion: the only true classic in the true crime genre
Review: when In Cold Blood was released, the title was flashed in Times Square...to date, I believe no true crime book has ever achieved such a reaction from the reading public, and such honor. I read In Cold Blood more than once over the years, there is a depth and richness added to the telling of a horrible crime story, that goes well beyond reciting cold facts. Capote lends a special psychological insight to the reader, as one reads about not just the crime, the act, but the people that were involved. Capote makes it possible to reconstruct the lives of the dead innocents simply from the life residue they left behind and he allows us to venture safely into the dangerous animalistic minds of the killers. In Cold Blood impacts you not only intellectually, but emotionally---and that is what the great craft of writing is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: When my Sophomore English teacher explained what this book was about, I was very upset. I hated books about murders, they've always upset me. But this book is fantastic! It makes you think about how people work, what makes people tick. I've become more interested in this genre of "true crime" because of how interesting this book is. The way Capote took this newspaper story and made it into a book, like it came from his imagination. You want to feel sorry for Perry, while you want to hate Dick. It's heartbreaking about this family and the book lets you see what's in a killer's mind.

Excellent read. Well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Capote's Masterpiece
Review: While reading this book one must keep in mind that Truman Capote had two very distinct objects in mind as he worked on this project. First, he wanted to write a Nonfiction Novel and in that area he has succeeded marvelously. Many critics have in fact proclaimed this to be Capote's best work. The author's other intent was to make a statement against the death penalty, an object in which he is less successful.

Capote could not have picked a better case to write a novel about but he could hardly have found two condemned men who would illicit less sympathy. My own faith inclines me to oppose the death penalty but I would be hard pressed to stick to my convictions in this case. The crimes perpetrated by these two were of the worst kind and no matter their backgrounds I could muster little sympathy for either of them. Fortunately, Capote spends relatively little time overtly pleading his political case and the novel is not harmed much in this effort.

The novel itself is nothing short of a masterpiece and will keep the reader on the edge of their seat for almost it's entire length. Capote begins what is probably the first True Crime Novel by introducing the reader to both the Clutter family (the intended victims) and Perry Smith and Dick Hickock (the killers) along with the small Kansas town where the crime would take place. The reader follows the Clutter clan as they live their normal lives in the days before their murder and also rides along as Smith and Hickock plan their crime. From there, one rides the roller coaster through the crime, it's discovery, the getaway, the investigation, and the capture, trial, and execution of the perpetrators. Capote weaves his story in such a masterful manner that there will be times when the reader gets completely caught up in the story just as if he/she were there. While reading this book you will become very aware of every little noise outside your house so it may be better to read it during daylight hours.

I would advise anyone who likes Crime Novels or just good novels to put this book near the top of their to read list. The story is disturbing and a little graphic in places but this is the work of a master wordsmith and he has done his job well. This book deserves to be placed much higher than it is in the pantheon of great works of literature.