Review: 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote

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What is it about real-life murders that captivates us? I'm speaking of the small, twisted cadre of true crime aficionados. Yes, I’m talking about the YouTubers who reduce complex cases into palatable, clickbait summaries, often disregarding vital details, pointing fingers erroneously, and displaying a blatant ignorance of the facts—all in the pursuit of fleeting views. You may have noticed that this is my second true crime review this month, and some of you might wonder if I'm steering this blog in a different direction. The answer, for now, is no. But I do intend to challenge myself as a reader, and that may lead me toward more nonfiction.

This brings us to today’s focus: In Cold Blood ^[*] by Truman Capote. A peculiar figure in American literature, Capote was not only a gifted writer but also a childhood neighbor and friend to Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird. Although many of you may not have cracked open Capote’s “nonfiction novel,” you’ve likely encountered it through discussions or the acclaimed 2005 film Capote, in which Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed the author. This film beautifully captures Capote's journey alongside Harper Lee as they traveled to Holcomb, Kansas, fueled by an article about the 1959 Clutter family murders he read in The New York Times. Capote became so engrossed in the case that he set out to write what would become In Cold Blood. With Capote’s flamboyant style often viewed as off-putting by locals, Lee took on the role of interviewer, taking reams of notes that would go largely unacknowledged. Over the years, Capote formed a complex relationship with the killers, Perry Edward Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock, visiting them in prison, corresponding through letters, and eventually witnessing their executions in 1965. He was also the subject of the 2006 film Infamous, and In Cold Blood has been adapted into both a 1967 feature film and a 1996 miniseries.

Let's take a look at my revised version of the blurb: Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood—yes, I’m declaring it a masterpiece—sent shockwaves through the literary world when it was serially published in The New Yorker in 1965. This meticulously researched narrative details the lives of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, juxtaposed with the chilling story of their murderers, Perry Edward Smith and Richard Eugene Hickock, who took their lives on the fateful night of November 15, 1959. Perry Smith emerges as one of literature's dark, enigmatic characters, wrestling with conflicting emotions. “I thought he was a very nice gentleman,” he says of Herb Clutter. “Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat." The book’s structure alternates chapters between the tranquility of the Clutter household and the ominous approach of Smith and Hickock in their black Chevrolet. It shuttles back and forth between the investigation and the killers’ ensuing flight. Capote’s prose is so immersive that readers find themselves feeling like silent witnesses to the unfolding tragedy.

Initially, I suspected that Harper Lee may have contributed to In Cold Blood, but after reading it, I can comfortably assert that she did not. Capote and Lee’s narrative styles are worlds apart. The question of whether Capote played any role in inspiring To Kill a Mockingbird remains a gray area, though I suspect his infamous ego wouldn’t rest without claiming some credit for Lee's masterpiece. After all, their friendship deteriorated largely because Capote couldn’t handle his jealousy when Lee’s novel won the Pulitzer Prize, a recognition that eluded In Cold Blood.

As for Capote's writing, it’s astonishingly vivid. His meticulously crafted descriptions transport you to Holcomb on that harrowing morning in November 1959 when Hickock and Smith invaded the Clutter home in search of a non-existent safe. In their greed, they ended up with less than $50 in cash, a pair of binoculars, and a Zenith portable radio. The details of the murder are haunting, with debates surrounding who bore the guilt for the killings. Upon their capture, Hickock insisted that Perry Smith was the one who slaughtered the Clutters, while Smith initially placed the blame on Hickock for Bonnie and Nancy but later claimed responsibility for all four deaths. In Capote's portrayal, Smith admitted he wanted to take the fall for all the murders because he felt “sorry for Dick's mother.” “She’s a real sweet person,” he added. Hickock, however, maintained that Smith had single-handedly committed the heinous act.

The writing in In Cold Blood ^[*] is rich and engaging, drawing you into its depths from the very first line. I found myself completely absorbed, losing countless nights to its pages. Capote’s talent shines brightly, making it all the more tragic that his life spiraled into chaos fueled by substance abuse following the book's release. There’s a lingering question of whether his fascination with Perry Smith crossed the line into something deeper, something that could’ve led to his untimely downfall.

In essence, In Cold Blood stands not only as Capote's crowning literary achievement but also as the beginning of his unraveling. He exercised creative liberties within its pages, crafting phrases and dialogue that may not always align with reality, yet the emotional impact remains undeniable. The book serves as a haunting testament to both an extraordinary crime and a complex, troubled soul who sought to illuminate its darkness. ╌★★★★★

⁓B.J. Burgess