In Cold Blood
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Big thanks to Truman Capote’s brilliance because I have a lot of thoughts about this book and it’s been haunting me. In Cold Blood meticulously covers the murder of the Clutter family in Kansas in 1959. Like super meticulously. We get to know the Clutters, face the gruesome details of their murder, and follow alongside the subsequent investigation. In parallel, we get to know their murderers, face the gruesome details of one of the killer’s upbringing, and follow alongside their eventual capture, trial, and death by hanging.
I took a class in college on capital punishment, which wasn’t the most uplifting way to start my Tuesday-Thursdays but enlightening nonetheless. I emerged anti-death penalty not only for ethical reasons, but because of ample proof that it sucks resources and doesn’t deter crime.
Capote’s In Cold Blood tested my position from many different angles because of its unique writing style. It’s so unique that, in fact, it had never been done before. He invented a new style of writing: the nonfiction novel. Similar to Hunter S. Thompson’s invention of gonzo journalism, Capote mixes subjectivity and objectivity, but in a much more covert way. Rather than injecting himself directly in the narrative, Capote seamlessly blends quotes from members of the community, law enforcement, and the murderers themselves based on in-depth, long-term interviews he held. So, while he objectively reports on the events as they transpire, he layers in various perspectives on those facts. These layers are so integrated that they often felt objective.
I’m really not doing it justice. His writing is an experience. It’s mesmerizing. It forces you to come up close to the murders and grapple with the human elements of something inhumane. As much as we want to demonize the people who commit ruthless, senseless acts, Capote compels you to listen to their point of view. It’s not even necessarily about empathy– although, that’s certainly a factor to some degree; it’s about painting the entire picture as clearly as possible. The Clutter family didn’t deserve to be murdered but they were. Capote acknowledges that fact, honors their memory, and then explores why it happened the way that it happened.
I’m very impressed by his work and I highly recommend it. Aside from his inventive writing style that kept my attention throughout, the story itself is worth reading. Also, shout out to Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman. Fun fact: Capote and Harper Lee became friends in their childhood when they were next door neighbors and Dill, Scout’s mischievous friend in To Kill a Mockingbird, is based on Capote. While their relationship became fraught later in life due to Capote’s jealousy (if Philip Seymour Hoffman’s depiction of him in Capote is accurate, he seems like a bit of an egotistical asshole), he dedicates In Cold Blood to Lee because of her help with launching the project in the first place. Overall, Capote the person– probably not 5 flames. Capote the writer– 5 out of 5 flames.
