In Cold Blood
19 journalers for this copy...
I first read this book after being sent a copy by a fellow BookCrosser. I surprised myself by really enjoying it, and so have bought this duplicate copy for use as a bookring.
You can see more of my comments on this book here.
I've bought a duplicate copy and have decided to set it up as an international bookring to see what my fellow BookCrossers think of it.
You can see more of my comments on this book here.
I've bought a duplicate copy and have decided to set it up as an international bookring to see what my fellow BookCrossers think of it.
Starting this ring by sending to ajsmom - enjoy!
Received today, thank you!
This book and Truman Capote in general have been in the press so much this year that I was dying to read this. It was absolutely engrossing - more so since (according to all the press I've read) it was the first real True Crime book written. Capote has been accused of exploiting the ignorance of the killers, but neither of them come off as ignorant; maybe the author who wrote that hadn't read the book? I was impressed by his research and his thoroughness in recreating scenes and locales.
I think I may be ready to see any of the 2? 3? movies made about him and/or the book now!
I have PM'd Ibis3 for an address and will have this on its way when I hear back. Thanks for the ring, Cinnamon-Girl. I will be buying a copy for ajsdad, since this will be right up his alley.
I think I may be ready to see any of the 2? 3? movies made about him and/or the book now!
I have PM'd Ibis3 for an address and will have this on its way when I hear back. Thanks for the ring, Cinnamon-Girl. I will be buying a copy for ajsdad, since this will be right up his alley.
Journal Entry 5 by ajsmom at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, November 8, 2006
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Ibis3 this morning.
Sent to Ibis3 this morning.
Arrived safe & sound. Will read it soon.
I really enjoyed this! I've heard about this book for so long (I think I first picked it up and read the blurb back when I was in highschool) it was nice to finally see what all the fuss was about. I think Calvino's definition #9 really applies: "9. Classics are books which, the more we think we know them through hearsay, the more original, unexpected, and innovative we find them when we actually read them."
This is the first of Capote's books that I've read and it was fascinating--how he took a common place (if I can be permitted to use that term for something so horrible) mass murder and investigated it and got to know all the people involved (including the victims) and was able to piece together a coherent, suspenseful, and intriguing account of the crime and its aftermath. And he seemed to do this without glorifying or melodramatizing the crime or the criminals (although I've heard about his "connection" with Perry Smith, he didn't seem to me to be overly emotionally attached).
I like watching fake crime dramas and reading about fake crime in the form of mystery novels, but I'm not a fan so much of the true crime genre--to me it seems exploitative or at the least kind of depressing. But, true to its status as a Great Book, this "fact-based novel" transcends that genre. Thanks, Cinnamon-Girl for sharing.
Here's a link to some
pics related to the Clutter family and the case.
Now I have to go out and rent the DVDs for In Cold Blood and Capote.
I've PM'd KarenZero for her address and will send out shortly.
This is the first of Capote's books that I've read and it was fascinating--how he took a common place (if I can be permitted to use that term for something so horrible) mass murder and investigated it and got to know all the people involved (including the victims) and was able to piece together a coherent, suspenseful, and intriguing account of the crime and its aftermath. And he seemed to do this without glorifying or melodramatizing the crime or the criminals (although I've heard about his "connection" with Perry Smith, he didn't seem to me to be overly emotionally attached).
I like watching fake crime dramas and reading about fake crime in the form of mystery novels, but I'm not a fan so much of the true crime genre--to me it seems exploitative or at the least kind of depressing. But, true to its status as a Great Book, this "fact-based novel" transcends that genre. Thanks, Cinnamon-Girl for sharing.
Here's a link to some
pics related to the Clutter family and the case.
Now I have to go out and rent the DVDs for In Cold Blood and Capote.
I've PM'd KarenZero for her address and will send out shortly.
Received safely. Will read ASAP.
Unfortunately, I just didn't have time to read this because I've had a lot of reading for work, so I didn't feel it was fair to hold on to it.
Unfortunately, I just didn't have time to read this because I've had a lot of reading for work, so I didn't feel it was fair to hold on to it.
We received this in the mail today. My husband (H-HEAD) will probably read it first. We watched "Capote" about a month ago and were very intrigued. Of course we'd heard about this book for years, but didn't know the whole background. Looks compelling.
Just finished reading the book and now it is mrsjones' turn. This book was great. After watching the movie and seeing the "relationship" that formed between Capote and the killers, it becomes very obvious in the book.
I agree with ajsmom that he does not take advantage of the ignorance of the killers. In fact, he almost seems smitten with Smith and paints him in a more sympathetic, yet undeserving, light.
The details of the town and surrounding areas made me feel as if I was there. I can not believe that with my wife and I being such avid true crime readers, we had never read this.
This is the best that I have read yet. Happy reading mrsjones.
I agree with ajsmom that he does not take advantage of the ignorance of the killers. In fact, he almost seems smitten with Smith and paints him in a more sympathetic, yet undeserving, light.
The details of the town and surrounding areas made me feel as if I was there. I can not believe that with my wife and I being such avid true crime readers, we had never read this.
This is the best that I have read yet. Happy reading mrsjones.
I agree with my husband (H-HEAD) - this is probably the best true crime novel I've read. Capote did a wonderful job of bringing the Clutter family and Smith and Hickock to life. The way he crafted his novel was wonderful, too. As he was describing each of the Clutter family members and their activities on their last day alive, he simultaneously painted a picture of what the killers were doing and his paragraphs got shorter and shorter as they finally collided. It was very well done.
I think Capote also did an outstanding job of not describing the murders until the end of the book when the killers finally confess. Nowadays, writers often describe the murder in detail in the first chapter - going for a sensationalistic approach instead of crafting a story as Capote did. I think that's one aspect of what separates "In Cold Blood" from true crime novels today. Another thing is that Capote didn't paint Hickock and Smith as "monsters." We got to see them not just in their criminal act and everything about them that would support the idea that they were nothing but murderous monsters. We got to read descriptions of how their family described them. We got to go to Mexico with them after the murders and see that they were capable of making friends and laughing. It was almost unsettling, but so different from true crime novels today in which the killers are never portrayed as anything BUT criminals. Nowadays once a person is described as evil, all the supporting documentation also points in that direction. Or the opposite "he was evil AND he was a boy scout." As though evil was lurking just beneath the surface all the time and those boy scouts were lucky to escape with their lives.
I almost wished that "In Cold Blood" would have included pictures of the farm and family members. But at the same time, Capote did a wonderful job of describing everything and I had definite images of each person and the farm in my head.
This was a wonderfully crafted book. I can't believe I hadn't read it before now.
PMing DragonGoddess for her address.
I think Capote also did an outstanding job of not describing the murders until the end of the book when the killers finally confess. Nowadays, writers often describe the murder in detail in the first chapter - going for a sensationalistic approach instead of crafting a story as Capote did. I think that's one aspect of what separates "In Cold Blood" from true crime novels today. Another thing is that Capote didn't paint Hickock and Smith as "monsters." We got to see them not just in their criminal act and everything about them that would support the idea that they were nothing but murderous monsters. We got to read descriptions of how their family described them. We got to go to Mexico with them after the murders and see that they were capable of making friends and laughing. It was almost unsettling, but so different from true crime novels today in which the killers are never portrayed as anything BUT criminals. Nowadays once a person is described as evil, all the supporting documentation also points in that direction. Or the opposite "he was evil AND he was a boy scout." As though evil was lurking just beneath the surface all the time and those boy scouts were lucky to escape with their lives.
I almost wished that "In Cold Blood" would have included pictures of the farm and family members. But at the same time, Capote did a wonderful job of describing everything and I had definite images of each person and the farm in my head.
This was a wonderfully crafted book. I can't believe I hadn't read it before now.
PMing DragonGoddess for her address.
Arrived this afternoon. I have one book to finish and then I will start on this book. I have always wanted to read this as it happened approximately 6 hours from where I live and Dick Hickock's parents lived here (Olathe, KS) so most of the locations should be familiar to me. I'm not sure why I've never gotten around to reading In Cold Blood, but this Ring gave me the perfect chance!
I really enjoyed this book. It is well crafted and you can really tell that Capote must have done extensive research. So many places mentioned in the book are very familiar to me and made it a little more real. Thanks, Cinnamon-Girl, for this ring!
Will PM minerva1221 today for address and hopefully get it out by the end of the week.
Will PM minerva1221 today for address and hopefully get it out by the end of the week.
sending out to minerva1221! enjoy!
What great timing! I just finished a book last night so should be able to start this one right away.
Try as I might, I never really got into this book. Rather than hold the ring up while I spend another week or two to finally finish it, I brought it with me on my work trip and will be mailing it to FeralReader today from Las Vegas, along with the very cool bookmark from DragonGoddess.
Arrived safe and sound in my post office box yesterday, thanks to minerva1221. I've been interested in this book for a long time and really appreciate Cinnamon-Girl sharing it with all of us; thanks!
Very clever bookmark, DragonGoddess! I'll let it continue its travels along with this book, aftr reading.
Now, to get started...
Very clever bookmark, DragonGoddess! I'll let it continue its travels along with this book, aftr reading.
Now, to get started...
What a phenomenal book! I share many of the impressions that have already been expressed (quite articulately) by the prior readers on this ring, and find myself suddenly wishing to read more of Capote's work. Amazing that the author spent so much time in the communities of Holcomb and Garden City and later with the prisoners, yet never inserts himself into the narrative once. By remaining invisible while skillfully tellng the story from many angles simultaneously, he gives the reader the same kind of familiarity with each character that one enjoys in excellent fiction.
Thanks again for sharing this book, Cinnamon-Girl! I have written to Banshee and will send it off to Italy as soon as I have her address.
Thanks again for sharing this book, Cinnamon-Girl! I have written to Banshee and will send it off to Italy as soon as I have her address.
Thanks to my helpful spouse, this book is finally in the mail to Italia. It started its journey on May 23 or 24, and should be with Banshee soon. Bon Voyage!
Arrived, thanks! I'll start it as soon as I finish Eragon.
A great book! Capote has a very "visual" writing, I liked this journalist novel very much. Very interesting the description of the psychological relationship of Dick and Perry.
"Maybe we're not human. I'm human enough to feel sorry for myself. Sorry I can't walk out of here when you walk out. But that's all."
"Maybe we're not human. I'm human enough to feel sorry for myself. Sorry I can't walk out of here when you walk out. But that's all."
Journal Entry 23 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, July 21, 2007
Yey! This arrived yesterday. I'm reading something else at the moment so it may take me a while to get to this but I'm really looking forward to it.
Journal Entry 24 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, August 17, 2007
Because I don''t agree with the way Capote went about researching and writing this (if the film''s anything to go by), I asked to be added to this bookring not because I desperately wanted to read it, but more out of a sense of curiosity. In fact, I fully expected to dislike this book. But I couldn''t have been more wrong. I found myself captivated from the very first page and even though I knew the outcome, I couldn''t stop reading this. It is incredibly well written and doesn''t pull any punches. It''s not overly sentimental or vitriolic but at the same time incites in the reader sympathy, horror, disgust and anger in equal portion. And I don''t think you just feel hatred for Perry and Dick - I felt curious about them and ,in a funny way, I felt sorrow for their cause and the sadness of their lives.
I still don''t agree with the way this was written but it is certainly extremely well written. It is an incredible and chilling insight into the horror of murder and the killer''s mind.
Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing this. I will definitely recommend it to others.
I''ve PMed the next person and will pass it on as soon as I have their address.
I still don''t agree with the way this was written but it is certainly extremely well written. It is an incredible and chilling insight into the horror of murder and the killer''s mind.
Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing this. I will definitely recommend it to others.
I''ve PMed the next person and will pass it on as soon as I have their address.
Journal Entry 25 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 20, 2007
On its way to StoryChaser. Thanks again for sharing!
Journal Entry 26 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, August 26, 2007
Just got back from holiday to find this waiting for me, thanks. I have one another book ahead of this one, but will get to it ASAP.
Journal Entry 27 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 20, 2007
This is a great book, the first by Capote that I have read. I am not usually a reader of true crime, but after seeing the film Capote felt I just had to read this.
The writing is wonderful, very lyrical and atmospheric. The story fascinating. A truly classic book.
I must get my hands on some other Capote books, I really like his style.
Thanks Cinnamon-Girl.
In the post today to chocdrop.
The writing is wonderful, very lyrical and atmospheric. The story fascinating. A truly classic book.
I must get my hands on some other Capote books, I really like his style.
Thanks Cinnamon-Girl.
In the post today to chocdrop.
Book arrived safelt today - thanks, StoryChaser. I'm reading a couple of books at the mo, but will start this one next.
Firstly, let me apologise for delaying the ring. Work pressures have been making it hard for me to find quality reading time, but I really wanted to finish this book.
It is a captivating story. I found the opening chapter so full of suspense, skipping between the family and the murderers in the days leading up to the crime. Despite knowing the outcome, you almost hold your breathe waiting for the point in which their worlds collide with tragic consequences.
The book (and DragonGoddess's wonderful bookmark) will be posted to Chas04 tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing Cinnamon-girl.
It is a captivating story. I found the opening chapter so full of suspense, skipping between the family and the murderers in the days leading up to the crime. Despite knowing the outcome, you almost hold your breathe waiting for the point in which their worlds collide with tragic consequences.
The book (and DragonGoddess's wonderful bookmark) will be posted to Chas04 tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing Cinnamon-girl.
Journal Entry 30 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 25, 2007
Received the book this week, only just got to a computer! Thank you chocdrop!
Journal Entry 31 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 13, 2007
A brilliantly researched and written book, it had me hooked from the beginning. At no point did I feel that Capote was trying to garner sympathy for the killers. His research just tried to bring us further into their psyche to try and see why they did what they did.
A great book and waiting for cross-patch's address to send it on.
A great book and waiting for cross-patch's address to send it on.
Journal Entry 32 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Sending on to Cross-patch.
Journal Entry 33 by 
Cross-patch
from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 5, 2008
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 5, 2008
Thank you, chas04, arrived safe and sound this week. I remember all the publicity when Capote wrote this book, and I never dreamt it would take me this long to read it. Very good revues, I see.
Journal Entry 34 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
I am half way through In Cold Blood and am totally absorbed. Hopefully I shall have finished it by the weekend.
Journal Entry 35 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, February 8, 2008
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, February 8, 2008
Once I started I couldn't put this book down. Truman Capote really has a talent for making sense of the senseless. There is some understanding to be gleaned here of the cold minds that planned and executed these events. What lives they led. So sad.
I have not been able to get a reply to pms sent to the next on the list, so shall try an ISO and then go on to the next.
I have not been able to get a reply to pms sent to the next on the list, so shall try an ISO and then go on to the next.
Journal Entry 36 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, February 18, 2008
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, February 18, 2008
I am send In Cold Blood to Fibe today. I do hope you enjoy it. And, thanks again to all before me for making this ring successful and getting it here in the first place.
Apologies for the delay in journalling this book. I'm reading it as we speak so will try to finish it asap so that it isn't held up too long. I've pm'd the next person on the list to speed up the process as well.
Journal Entry 38 by FiBe at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 31, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (3/29/2008 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I have too many books to read at the moment so rather than hold this book up I am letting it continue its journey. Thanks for letting me take part though x
I have too many books to read at the moment so rather than hold this book up I am letting it continue its journey. Thanks for letting me take part though x
It arrived yesterday. Thanks!
I am so sorry but it took me a bit longer to read the book, especially because ittook me a long time to get into the book and accpet it as a book and not as a documentary... It was a good read but less brilliant than I imagined.
Sending it forward as soon as I get an address. Thanks!
Sending it forward as soon as I get an address. Thanks!
The book has safely arrived yesterday - thanks for sending it, QueenSissi, and thanks, Cinnamon-Girl for the ring. I'm looking forward to reading it.
It was quite a special book - sometimes I didn't know if it was written in order to find an excuse for what they did, then I sometimes found myself sympathizing with the murderers (especially Perry), and sometimes I just found it to be written in a rather special, even "beautiful" style. Anyway, I don't regret having read it and thanks, Cinnamon-Girl for this ring. I'm not sure if I would have bought it myself - that's one of the many nice things about bookcrossing: out of curiosity one discovers plenty of new authors which I otherwise wouldn't have even heard of.
There were passages which made me laugh, too - quite a special humour, e.g.:
"On his left hand, on what remained of a finger once mangled by a piece of farm machinery, he wore a plain gold band, which was the symbol, a quarter century old, of his marriage to the person he had wished to marry -" (p.6)
or
"Dick was awake. He was rather more than that; he and Inez were making love. As though reciting a rosary, Dick incessantly whispered: 'Is it good, baby? Is it good?' But Inez, smoking a cigarette, remained silent." (p.147)
or
"The family cat had attacked the cocker spaniel that lived across the street, and now it seemed as if one of the spaniel's eyes might be seriously damaged." (p.163)
or
"She was seventy-four years old, but in Nye's opinion, 'looked younger - maybe ten minutes younger.'" (p.175)
or finally
"Alvin took the call with just a towel around him. Made me so mad - dripping puddles everywhere. But when I went to get a mop, I saw something worse - the cat, that fool Pete, up on the kitchen table gorging crabmeat salad. My avocado stuffing." (p.212)
I already have keksi2's address and will send it on next week. Thanks everybody for sending it on and thanks again for the ring, Cinnamon-Girl!
Edit 7.8.08:
The book is now on its way to keksi2.
There were passages which made me laugh, too - quite a special humour, e.g.:
"On his left hand, on what remained of a finger once mangled by a piece of farm machinery, he wore a plain gold band, which was the symbol, a quarter century old, of his marriage to the person he had wished to marry -" (p.6)
or
"Dick was awake. He was rather more than that; he and Inez were making love. As though reciting a rosary, Dick incessantly whispered: 'Is it good, baby? Is it good?' But Inez, smoking a cigarette, remained silent." (p.147)
or
"The family cat had attacked the cocker spaniel that lived across the street, and now it seemed as if one of the spaniel's eyes might be seriously damaged." (p.163)
or
"She was seventy-four years old, but in Nye's opinion, 'looked younger - maybe ten minutes younger.'" (p.175)
or finally
"Alvin took the call with just a towel around him. Made me so mad - dripping puddles everywhere. But when I went to get a mop, I saw something worse - the cat, that fool Pete, up on the kitchen table gorging crabmeat salad. My avocado stuffing." (p.212)
I already have keksi2's address and will send it on next week. Thanks everybody for sending it on and thanks again for the ring, Cinnamon-Girl!
Edit 7.8.08:
The book is now on its way to keksi2.
Caught in the mail today - thank you Deesse, and thanks cinnamon-girl for the ring!
I can`t wait to read this, especially because it`s such a well-traveled copy.
I can`t wait to read this, especially because it`s such a well-traveled copy.
Finished the book earlier this week, but it will stay in my mind for a long time, I think. Capote goes into so much detail about every place and person that reading the story is almost like watching a movie, it`s all so vivid (and I found it hard to believe that this is the same author who wrote Breakfast at Tiffany`s and A Christmas Memory because the tone is so different...).
In the end, I didn`t only find the murder itself disturbing but also the way the case was handled by the authorities; maybe extenuating circumstances would not be considered then the way the would be today?
The book is now on its way back to Cinnamon-Girl.
In the end, I didn`t only find the murder itself disturbing but also the way the case was handled by the authorities; maybe extenuating circumstances would not be considered then the way the would be today?
The book is now on its way back to Cinnamon-Girl.
Another successful bookring! This book has arrived safely back home and I plan to wild release so some lucky reader will discover the extensive traveling this book has already done.
Thanks to all who joined the ring! I appreciated your comments and am glad you enjoyed the book.
Thanks to all who joined the ring! I appreciated your comments and am glad you enjoyed the book.
