Capote: A Biography Paperback – Illustrated, September 21, 2010

I became interested in Capote when I worked with a wonderful elder gentleman who was a judge and had been born and raised in Monroevile. He eventually became the Lawyer to Harper Lee and was one of the 'pack' of boys who tormented Boo Radley. He tells of seeing the body of the real Boo being brought out of his house following his death and of seeing Capote riding round and round the town sqauare in an open topped fancy sports car with a famous actress. Such fascinating tales and I was drawn to watch the movies about him and became even more interested. I am English and so many of the names in this book meant little to me and had to constantly dash to google to research as I went along. The book is well written and i thought the first chapter was the most beautiful thing I had ever read. Eventually I was also running to google to find out the meaning to many obscure words and referencess. My fault - not Mr Clarke. That I enjoyed it and could hardly put it down is true, but as I read it I found myself disliking Mr Capote more and more. This was a disappoiontment to me - I had hoped to find a hero!Many people cite the fact that he had a terrible childhood as a reason - even an excuse for his bad behavior. Yes I was incredibly sad when I read of his lonely unhappy life as a boy who did not fit in and had little support, but then I began to question whether that absolved him of some of his faults and decided that no it did not. Yes he was amazingly talented and yes he was funny and could be very generous and kind but the bitchiness and cruel side of him overwhelmed my love. His acts of kindness seemed generated not by inate goodness but about his personal desires and ambition. When he tries to shape several of his friends into actors or models I saw nothing that indicated this was their wish or desire - only that Trumann wanted to create them into something else and this new 'goddess' would bask in his genius.The cruelest thing I read was when he took a normally hetrosexual lover, and when it did not work out he did everything in his power to take everything away from him: his job, wife, family and home. When that was not enough he sent thugs to beat him up. There was a relentless visciousness to him and he lost many of his previously beloved friends and camp followers when he used their confidences to create a scandalous headline catching story. As he got older his mean streak seemed to intensify and I found it difficult to feel as sorry for him as I felt I should. A phrase is used to describe him and his friends that I found most fitting - the spiteful sisterhood. He seems to have been loved by many but he squandered those gifts.Mr Clark has written a beautiful book which I loved - it was only Mr Capote I did not love. This is not someone I would have wanted to know.

This book may strike a reader as the biography of two different people. It had that effect on me. The first half persuaded me that Capote was a truly likable, easy-going person with a wonderful sense of humor and a flair for telling hilarious stories about the famous people he knew. But this Capote changed following the publication of that masterpiece of true crime reportage "In Cold Blood". With the world at his feet, the other Truman Capote appeared. Or rather it was the reemergence of the very first one, the child deprived of all sense of security, left alone in locked hotel rooms while his mother went out partying till all hours. That child, still lurking in his nervous system, returned to dominate him after so many years.Thus, the second half of this book -- of his life -- surprises and disconcerts the reader who had so recently been enthusiastic in praise of the mature Truman Capote. This out-of-control drinker, this domineering, vindictive man, especially in relation to his various gay lovers, soon becomes repellent. Fully one half of the book is a long let-down, detailing, among other things, the shattering of his close friendships with wealthy patrons who had reveled in his company.To begin at the beginning, Truman Capote's childhood in rural Alabama was scarred by disappointment and fear of abandonment. His father, forever seeking an elusive fortune, was mostly absent, while his mother, too, flitted in and out of his life. Eventually he was brought to New York to live with her and her new husband, a wealthy businessman who proved so affectionate a father that Truman adopted his name. His mother, on the other hand, made no secret of her loathing for the boy's effeminate traits and eventually the estrangement became unbridgeable.In his early twenties his first novel made him a sensation. He became a favorite with high society and in this biography his reminiscences about film stars and other celebrities are often hilarious. All in all, up to this point Capote comes through as a wry but good-natured observer who generally can find humor in the ups and downs of life.Then came the seemingly endless years of researching and writing his masterpiece "In Cold Blood", the book which could not be finished or published until the two murderers had been hanged. He never really recovered from the nervous strain or from witnessing the executions.Afterwards, and at first, swept up in worldwide acclaim, he felt invincible. But his childhood insecurity had merely been repressed, not obliterated. Hubris released it. His drinking became heavier and he resorted to mood-altering substances. All common sense deserted him. He told his wealthy friends in "Answered Prayers" that he despised them. He became vindictive and irrational toward his ex-lovers, even to the point of sending acquaintances to sabotage one man's car by pouring sugar into the gas tank. Later, his growing irrationality resulted in the burning of another ex's car. But that was better than his first impulse, which was to break the man's legs. So far gone was he toward the end.His last novel was left unfinished but the published segments exhibited all the old Capote genius. A strange life, told by a talented biographer.

Probably, besides I cannot think of any other classic American author who can match Capote's range and diversity. Who is not moved by his short stories, delighted by 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' or chilled to the core by 'In Cold Blood'?What was needed to understand this complex and often troubled writer was a biography of sensitivity, scholarship and candor. Gerald Clarke' s magnificent book does just that. Moreover, its written in a style that is both informative and elegant. Clarke treats his wayward subject with affection and sympathy but always with a frankness that gives his book both credibility and balance.If you like biography and are intrigued by the genius of Truman Capote, then read this book.

I wanted to read this book after watching both Capote and Infamous. This book really didn't disappoint. Extremely well written and informative a really good biography.

Thank you for the book I am reading the book at this moment it's really great I've very interested in Truman Capote and I love his book in cold blood and I'm very interested n the life f Truman Capote thank you again kindest regards Patricia Thompson

I rate this as one of the most fascinating biographies I've ever read. The man was amazing, and the movie made from this book is also one of my all time favourites. I recommend this added to anyone's library.

Genius....funny, brave and downright hardworking.....the thing about Capote is he was himself and made absolutely no pretense about it...but under all this was a glittering mind that purred like a powerful computer...as his masterpiece In Cold Blood is testimony.