I think this is one of the better books I’ve read about Capote. It truly puts his life and works in perspective. Granted, it’s told through interviews friends, friendemies, family and foes, so one wonders if anyone is telling the truth. However, it’s very well-rounded and well written.

goes well with warhol diaries

I read this in about an afternoon working the Annex shift at BookSoup. It is FASCINATING. You will love, love, love it.

This was the most perfect form biography of a person I have ever read. Most biographies are written from the perspective of one person relying on primary sources and interviews with those in the circle. This book was written in a different form. I gained more knowledge of Capote reading this book than any other biography. I will not say more but I urge people who are interested in Capote to read this book. It was perfect

This was an utterly fascinating look into the circus that was Truman Capote. It follows his entire lifetime and kept me completely entertained throughout. I came away with a list of at least 10 of his contemporaries that I'd love to read more about, including the author of this compilation, George Plimpton. To me, that is what good non fiction should do; inform you about one subject while sparking your interest in others. I would highly recommend this book.

I couldn't get enough of Truman and I missed him after reading Clarke's biography. I have enjoyed this so far.

"...the reader is treated to information delivered firsthand, as if one had happened in on a large gathering, perhaps a cocktail party of Truman Capote's acquaintances," Mr. Plimpton, in his 'Note to the Reader,' offers by way of introduction (and explanation) at the beginning of this (oral) biography. "With a glass in hand (probably a vodka) our reader moves from group to group and listens in on personal reminiscences, opinion, vitriol, and anecdot." True enough & as a result it is as insightful as it is entertaining; with such an anecdotal biography, Capote's complex character & personality are 'fleshed out' (along with a few theories about the root-cause of some of his sometimes bewildering reasoning & behaviour) & are viewed in the round, as it were, via the various people being quoted (not all of whom had the most flattering things to relate, as is to be expected; spearheading this group, Gore Vidal, as also to be expected, delivers some of the wittiest anecdotes, observations & caustic quotes). It really is a delightful read.

When you love an author, naturally you want to know everything about them, and that’s what this was for me. I love Truman Capote. I think he’s a wonderful writer and this book was several windows into his imperfect being and life, as told by friends and fiends. Pick it up if you love Mr Capote!

I've read about Truman Capote before so I didn't find anything massively startling in this book. I don't really understand why Jack Dunphy was so prominent in his life, then sort of disappeared for the 60s and 70s, only to reappear when TC was ill and passed away. As for the 'Answered Prayers' scandal, I'd read the biography of the Cushing sisters (about Babe Paley and her sisters) and understood her perspective on it, it was difficult to be sympathetic to TC knowing that.

It's a terrific book, though. I love bios written in this style. They're easy to read and I find it entertaining to read the different views on the same occasion, esp how some people thought the Black and White Ball was the best party EVER!! and others thought it was a bore.

Amazing amazing amazing. A pastiche of stories from those who knew, loved, and hated TC best. The way a biography should be written. TC is fascinating and the stories about the literati to the glitterati--from Yaddo to The Plaza--are hilarious, astute, devastating, and, most importantly, contradictory. I'm running out to read Edie now (Plimpton's other "biography" in this style).