Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" is an extremely disturbing read. At first, he描绘了一幅我们所期待的中西部田园风光，但随后邪恶便悄然降临。这让人不寒而栗，心也被紧紧揪住。

如今，大家想必都知道这本书被认为是第一部非虚构小说。这个故事中的所有基本事实都真实发生过。1959年11月14日，一个四口之家确实在自己家中被两名身份不明的袭击者杀害。这本书的创新之处在于，卡波特不是以记者的身份来处理这些事实，而是以小说家的身份。他没有局限于新闻界的“何人、何事、何地、何时以及为何”，而是让自己内心的小说家去填补现有事实留下的空白。像邦妮·克拉特生命中最后一个悲伤的夜晚这样的场景，只有小说家才会去尝试描绘。

虽然卡波特从未让我们有可能原谅这些杀人犯——他自己或任何人都不可能做到——但他在很大程度上让他们变得令人同情。电影《卡波特》声称他在写这本书的时候爱上了佩里·史密斯。也许吧。史密斯确实给人一种非常丰满的人物形象，而希科克对他来说似乎不那么有趣，对我们来说也是如此。但重要的是，他让他们变得有人性。在读了这个犯罪的性质之后，这本身就是一项巨大的成就。

最后，我只想指出一个在这个故事中扮演了重要角色，但却总是未能吸引到像对受害者、杀人犯或卡波特本人那样关注的人，那就是阿尔文·杜威。杜威是这个故事中不懈的沙威，通过他的眼睛我们看到了事实的展开。卡波特把他描绘成一个被这起可怜家庭谋杀案中所蕴含的邪恶在道德上伤害的人，这触动了人心。他拒绝让杀人犯逃脱他们的滔天罪行，这反过来又激励了人们的精神。

这就是这本书真正伟大之处所在。

我在一天凌晨两点开始读这本书，一直读到早上九点读完。这就是引人入胜的定义。一旦你知道了发生了什么，就不可能放下这本书，直到你弄清楚为什么。

Within the initial pages of “In Cold Blood,” Capote presents a vivid portrayal of the ordinary and sleepy town of Holcomb, Kansas. The brutal murders of an entire family in November 1959 sent shockwaves through the community. The Clutters were a highly respected family, and the senseless nature of the crime made it all the more disturbing.

Truman Capote’s work “In Cold Blood” is often regarded as the “first true crime” nonfiction. I had postponed reading this book for years as true crime wasn't really my cup of tea, and the disturbing subject matter was something I was reluctant to explore. I felt I needed to be in the right mental state. However, I recently picked it up and read it some time ago. Reflecting on it, I believe Capote adopts the right approach in creating his book, maintaining a less sensational and more journalistic tone.

Capote dedicates a significant amount of time to alternating between the perspectives of the Clutter family and those close to them, while also following the movements of Perry Smith and Dick Hickcock. He allows us to catch a glimpse of who the Clutters were and the profound sense of loss felt by the Holcomb community at this terrible and senseless murder. We witness the reactions of the people in this small town as they attempt to make sense of the case.

I also think Capote does an excellent job of unfolding the story for us, presenting various people and circumstances surrounding the Clutter murder case. The investigation, with Alvin Dewey’s unwavering pursuit of the killers, is captivating. It remains so despite the fact that we know the outcome before we even begin reading.

While the sentencing of the two killers brings some closure to the case, I found the last part of the novel, as we wait for Perry and Hickcock to be executed, to be the least interesting. It also seemed as if Capote was subtly trying to evoke a bit of sympathy for the killers.

For the most part, though, I believe Capote does an effective job of maintaining his distance and simply letting the story speak for itself.

No. I did not like this book. Not at all. Reading it was a strain.

It details how a family of four is brutally killed out of the blue. And unlike a traditional crime story, this is not fiction. It really happened in Kansas in 1959. Real people lost their lives, shot by real bullets and with their throats cut by a real knife.

The pictures of the victims are imprinted in my brain as I struggled to read through the events that led to this atrocity, including the description of the long flight of the perpetrators, the efforts of the police, their capture, trial, imprisonment, and final execution.

So why did I give five stars? I gave them because this is a necessary book. It is necessary to confront ourselves with stories like this, as this is the reality outside our cosy homes. A reality where violence and death exist. A world of abuse, maltreatment, juvenile anger, aggression, mental issues, and disease.

There is no reason to panic. Most people reading this review have never experienced such things and hopefully never will. But these things do exist. Personally, I got exposed to a tiny fraction of the above only after becoming a teacher for less gifted and underprivileged children.

The book is important because it raises a lot of questions. What would happen to the murderers if they were sentenced in our days in the US or in my country, Germany? What can we do to prevent people of such characters from becoming criminals? How can we detect such people? Perry’s childhood was filled with neglect and abuse, but Dick had a loving, though poor home. And in the death tract, they meet other ostensibly “normal” people who became brutal killers as well. This lecture was deeply disturbing for me. I do not like being disturbed, yet sometimes it is necessary and healthy.

Unashamedly, my all-time favorite book is "In Cold Blood." Originally written as a piece for the New York Post by Capote, he later expanded it into this remarkable novel.

I have very little to say about the plot because you truly need to read this book for yourself. It marked the dawn of a new type of literature - the true crime book, yet it's not like the ones we know today. Today's true crime books are filled with grisly facts after facts, detailing who shot whom and countless mass murders or gangland wars. Don't misunderstand me, I love those books too.

"In Cold Blood" is different. It focuses on one major crime followed by a myriad of smaller, stupid crimes. The major crime was never really planned to occur and it never should have happened. But when dumb criminals are involved in poorly planned crimes, things can go very wrong. That's the essence of the story. There are no reprisals from rival gangs, no 'over the top, gun blazing' street battles. No bodies are found buried in the woods, no booby-trapped houses.

Capote was completely infatuated with this story. He knew from the moment he finished his New York Post article that he had to give it more time to develop. This book reads like any fictional crime novel, yet it's based on fact. It's a truly remarkable piece of work. Capote keeps you turning the pages, eagerly waiting for the big twist. He makes you ride along with the story to such an extent that you almost forget you're reading a true account of a crime. He doesn't sensationalize the events. Instead, the way he writes with such descriptive clarity is at least on par with any fiction you could read.

I have long been intrigued by Truman Capote's works, having previously read and relished "Other Voices, Other Rooms" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's". However, for some reason, I postponed delving into "In Cold Blood" for an extended period. Perhaps it was because I felt that the novel might not offer anything truly novel. Without having read it, I had the impression that I already knew the story. I was constantly surrounded by the influence of Truman Capote's 1966 book, which had inspired a wave of New Nonfiction. It seemed that everyone was now writing long-journalism pieces in the style of Capote. His impact on journalism, particularly on New Journalism, was indeed significant.

"I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat."

- Truman Capote, In Cold Blood



My decision to finally read "In Cold Blood" was perhaps influenced by my kids' reading of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird". Triggered by a distant memory that Harper Lee and Truman Capote were cousins and that she had assisted Capote with the research and interviews for "In Cold Blood", I decided it was the opportune time to pick up one of my copies. I own both a first edition* and a Modern Library copy.



Apparently, when "In Cold Blood" was first serialized in the New Yorker in the mid-1960s, it caused a sensation. I'm attempting to think of a recent series of articles that could be compared. The closest might be the PODCAST "Serial" or the TV show "Making a Murderer", but I still sense that "In Cold Blood" had a greater impact. It was one of those works that both catapulted the author to fame and, in a way, destroyed him.



After reading the novel, I was struck by its brutality, which stemmed from its very humanity. Dick and Perry are not portrayed as terrifying killers. Instead, like Arendt, Capote's skill (or perhaps not a skill) lies in showing us how banal and casual evil can be. It was as if I was staring wickedness in the face and recognizing a small part of myself (but the uninteresting, cereal-eating side). This reminded me of a German Shepherd my father, a veterinarian, rescued when I was a child. The dog was vicious, and I spent countless hours trying to tame him. Over time, I thought I had managed to reduce his anger, fear, and viciousness. However, there were still moments when I would see his true nature. He hated old people, and whenever an old man or woman walked by our fence, "Bozo" would go berserk. Eventually, we found an adopted home for him. Months later, we learned that he had jumped an 8-foot fence and attacked an old man, and had to be put down. I remember feeling a sense of sadness. I loved that dog, but at the same time, I knew that there was something in him that was dangerous and would never change. That's exactly how I felt when reading about Perry. Here was a man who, on one level, had a certain gentle quality, but could also, without hesitation or much provocation, quickly kill another human being. I believe that this duality, this humanity touched by evil, is what haunts the book and makes it relevant both now and in the future.



* These aren't very rare because the first edition of 'In Cold Blood' was printed like it was the Bible in 1966 because of the interest shown by the original New Yorker articles.

Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" is an enthralling and spine-chilling account of a heinous murder that sent shockwaves through a small Kansas town in 1959. Capote's painstaking research and empathetic storytelling paint a haunting picture of the crime and its far-reaching consequences.

The narrative unfolds from the perspectives of both the victims and the killers, offering a profound understanding of the motives and emotions at play. Capote's remarkable ability to delve into the minds of the perpetrators is truly impressive, revealing the darkness that can lurk within human beings.

Capote does not shy away from the grisly details of the murders. Instead, he uses them to emphasize the fragility of life and the randomness of tragedy. His sensitivity in depicting the victims' families and the community's response to the tragedy evokes a sense of empathy and compassion.

The book's enduring legacy lies in its pioneering approach to true crime writing. Capote's "new journalism" style, which combines literary techniques with factual reporting, has influenced countless works in the genre.

"In Cold Blood" is a masterpiece of true crime literature that delves into the depths of human nature and the profound impact of violence on individuals and society. Capote's storytelling and empathetic perspective make this book a haunting and unforgettable read.

My Highest Recommendation.

\\n  ‘amazement, shading into dismay; a shallow horror sensation that cold springs of personal fear swiftly deepened.’\\n

I am truly embarrassed for waiting far too long to read two remarkable true crime story novels. One of them is "Helter Skelter," and the other, of course, is this bone-chilling, disturbing book that I am currently reviewing as I slap my forehead in懊恼. At times, I struggle to prioritize my reading list, and my rather hefty to-be-read (TBR) pile might lead me astray to the wrong kind of books! However, today I am overjoyed to have found my way to this classic after watching its amazing movie adaptation.

After four members of the Herbert Clutter family were brutally slain in a small town called Holcomb, located in Kansas, Mr. Capote decided to pen an article about those murders. He traveled to this tiny town just before the killers were apprehended.

He was accompanied by none other than Harper Lee (we learn they were childhood friends), conducting interviews with the locals who knew about the family's history and the police officers handling the investigation. Six weeks later, the two perpetrators were finally convicted and executed in Kansas.

This is a rather different nonfiction work with its elaborate, long, and detailed descriptions. You might be tempted to skip those parts to focus solely on the crimes and the trial process, but you'll find yourself unexpectedly enjoying those chapters that are more like his short fiction stories rather than a nonfiction piece directly discussing the facts of the crime.

Mr. Capote completed this book in six years and meticulously organized those thousands of pages of interviews with people in chronological order. It was truly a fascinating, unique classic. Especially for loyal fans of true crime stories, this is a must-read! I'm so relieved to have finally read it.

My favorite quotes:

"Just remember: If one bird carried every grain of sand, grain by grain, across the ocean, by the time he got them all on the other side, that would only be the beginning of eternity."

"Imagination, of course, can open any door - turn the key and let terror walk right in."

"The enemy was anyone who was someone he wanted to be or who had anything he wanted to have."

"Those fellows, they're always crying over killers. Never a thought for the victims."

"In school we only learn to recognize the words and to spell, but the application of these words to real life is another thing that only life and living can give us."

In Cold Blood is a captivating non-fiction account that delves into the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas on a fateful November night in 1959. To be honest, I had very limited knowledge of this story before picking up this book, considering it occurred nearly 30 years before I was born. This marks the first book by Capote that I've read, and despite the grim subject matter, I found it to be an engrossing read.

It's truly remarkable how Capote managed to reconstruct the story, background, and investigation with such meticulous detail throughout the book. I felt as if a vivid and comprehensive picture was painted, not only of who the Clutter family was but also of the two murderers. Their troubled pasts and pent-up resentments, while perhaps providing some context, are in no way justifications for the heinous crime they committed. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to trace back and understand how the killers had arrived at this tragic point. I was relieved to see that justice was ultimately served in this case.

I thoroughly enjoyed Capote's writing style in In Cold Blood. It features a leisurely build, initially presenting two seemingly "separate" stories that, given the premise of the book, you know will inevitably intertwine at some point. This keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat all the way through.

When this book was suggested for my book club, I was truly intrigued. It is one of those books that I have intended to read for an eternity. In fact, it was published in 1966, the very year I was born. So, it was fascinating for me to read it from that perspective alone (even if it was first serialized in the ‘New Yorker’ in 1965).

Just like so many remarkable creations, this one was inspired by something rather unassuming. It was a one-column story that appeared in a newspaper on November 16th, 1959, regarding the murder of the Clutter family on Rivery Valley Farm in western Kansas. This news story prompted Truman Capote to travel to Kansas for an investigation, which ultimately led to him creating, arguably, the first ‘nonfiction novel.’

Although the subject matter of this book is, undoubtedly, a tragedy, it is exquisitely written. There is great sympathy shown towards everyone involved, and a very contemporary examination of the reasons for the crime. Indeed, early crime books and magazines tended to lean towards the sensational and shocking. “In Cold Blood” is the second best-selling true crime book of all time, surpassed only by the brilliant “Helter Skelter,” so it is in excellent company.

Similar to “Helter Skelter,” this book is fixated on detail. “In Cold Blood” is a work of extensive research and took years to write. Capote sets the scene masterfully, guiding us through the last day of the Clutters and introducing us to this respected and respectable family. Although, later in the book, the author focuses on the killers, their backgrounds, and their motivations, he treats the victims with respect. By introducing them to the reader first, he allows us to feel sympathy for them before anything else. However, the majority of the book does closely examine the men who were arrested and tried for the murders. He delves into their past, their relationship, how they were caught, and what happened to them afterwards.

Although these events occurred a long time ago, this book does not seem particularly outdated. Sadly, the reasons behind such crimes remain largely the same as they were then. Although I cannot claim that this was an easy or comfortable read, it is truly a brilliantly written book, and I am glad that I finally got around to reading it.

In Cold Blood is an absolute masterpiece of True Crime literature. It is both gritty and intelligent, making it a must-read for everyone.

Capote's writing in this account is flawless. He transports readers to a small town in Kansas where the heinous murders of the Clutter Family took place in 1959.

The description of the night of the actual murders is bone-chilling and can even disturb sleep. Through Capote's words, we get alternating accounts from the family, the killers, and other individuals close to the crime.

This is my second time reading this book, and I found it just as impactful. It's interesting to think about Capote's research process. He lived in the town with his friend Harper Lee and interviewed hundreds of people associated with the events.

The amount of data he collected and how he wove it into a cohesive narrative is astounding. This was truly a ground-breaking piece of journalistic writing.

Capote was also ahead of his time in his focus on the psychology behind the killers' motivations and actions, as well as their complex relationship. I believe anyone interested in True Crime, Criminology, Psychology, or Sociology will find this book captivating. So, if you've been putting it off, stop and pick it up now!

\\"In Cold Blood\\" represents a significant milestone in the realm of journalistic reportage.

Capote, accompanied by his childhood friend Harper Lee, journeyed to Holcomb, Kansas. Their aim was to document the real-life murder of the wealthy Clutter family.

On November 15, 1959, Dick Hickock and Perry Edward Smith broke into the Clutter home with the intention of robbing the safe. However, there was no safe, and Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children Nancy and Kenyon were brutally killed.

The perpetrators were eventually caught, tried, and hanged.

This book is not a typical mystery or crime-solving narrative. Instead, Capote endeavors to reconstruct the events, closely examining the murderers, the victims, and the sequence of happenings. It is, in fact, the first true crime book in the modern sense, a non-fiction novel.

The dual nature of the book presents both challenges and opportunities for the writer and the reader. Capote's detailed descriptions of scenes and conversations raise questions about their authenticity.

Like other works that attempt to recreate the past, he must make connections, omit certain details, and fill in gaps. While he seems to freely venture into the realm of fiction, astute readers will notice this.

The more contentious issue is whether he deliberately altered facts to enhance the text, a topic that has sparked intense debate.

Nevertheless, it is undeniable that Capote is a masterful writer. From a narrative perspective, he poses the right questions and finds the perfect words to describe a heinous crime that had a profound impact on an entire community.

The writing is neither sensationalist nor cold; it dares to ask uncomfortable questions that make the reader think.

For example, the scene of the killers' hanging vividly illustrates the reality of capital punishment. Capote delves into the complex lives of Hickock and Smith, as well as the hobbies, aspirations, and relationships of the Clutter family members.

It is a comprehensive and intricate portrayal that goes beyond the mere gore of the crime.

It is easy to see why this book has become a classic and the second-best-selling true crime book of all time. Now, I am eager to watch \\"Capote\\" starring Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Like the waters of the river, flowing ceaselessly, like the motorists on the highway, hurrying along, and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the form of extraordinary happenings, had never ceased there.

Catching up…

I am well aware. This is a book that has been in existence for some time. However, when it recently became a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, I knew the moment had arrived to revisit it and share my thoughts.

This book actually originated as a New York Times murder story that metamorphosed into spine-tingling suspense. Can you envision picking up your newspaper and devouring this headline story while sipping your breakfast coffee?

Capote was of the opinion that he could relate the tale of this Midwest killing, which involved sinister murderers, in a manner that would grip readers' interest.

A prosperous farming family of four members was brutally murdered at close range with a shotgun. There was no obvious motive. The clues were limited. A local FBI investigator, Alvin Dewey, was shocked at how senseless and cruel the crime seemed. Who would commit such an act and why? And, how could Capote obtain the details he required to write his story beyond the headline-grabbing elements?

“Imagination, of course, can open any door – turn the key and let terror walk right in.”

He turned to his friend and fellow author, Harper Lee, who is obviously renowned for “To Kill a Mockingbird.” She had a knack for penetrating the silence that appeared to be safeguarding the remote Kansas community deeply involved in the murders.

Once he gained access, Capote conducted his own investigation, which would include the manhunt, arrest, and trial of the culprits. Capote shared…

“…the greatest intensity in art in all its forms and magnitudes is achieved with a deliberate, hard, and cool head.”

It truly is a real-crime drama that enthralls readers as they turn the pages. And, even if we believe we already know the story, perhaps through the countless documentaries we have watched, it still remains a privilege to read Capote.