In Cold Blood by Truman CapoteMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don't know if I can say anything about this book that hasn't already been said. It only takes the first few pages to let the reader know its reputation is clearly earned and further reading never lets up its hold. Even the most negative of negative people (namely me) can't deny how great this book is. Of course, I'll find something to gripe about. And that is why I'm putting the disclaimer that you should turn back now. Just know that "In Cold Blood" is as good as everyone says it is and go from there.
There had always been a lingering thought about ICB that had floated in my head. Something that persisted for years and kept this book on my 'to read' list for seemingly an eternity. The moral question of writing a story on a real-life murder. As the true crime genre continues to expand, especially among all the bored housewives, the debate only grew. This question continued as I read the granddaddy of true crime, wondering how much was real and how much was invented by Capote. Was it artistic license run amok, or was this the most thoroughly researched book of all time in the hands of the 20th century's most capable writer? While the latter seems the least likely, it should be left to each reader to ultimately decide. Though, before I finished reading, I concluded that morality has no real place in literature.
I took my time with this book. And, if I have any advice to give, it's that you should as well. Not because this book is deep, but because it's rich. A book not to be pretentiously dissected, but to be appreciatively absorbed. Instead of knocking around quips or vomiting plot points, every sentence wraps itself in the humanity of it all. It gets my highest recommendation as, while it is bloody in the most conceivable way, it is far from cold.
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