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In Cold Blood
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
From the Modern Library's new set of beautifully repackaged hardcover classics by Truman Capote--also available are "Breakfast at Tiffany's "and" Other Voices, Other Rooms "(in one volume), " Portraits and Observations, "and "The Complete Stories" Truman Capote's masterpiece, "In Cold Blood, "created a sensation when it was first published, serially, in "The New Yorker" in 1965. The intensively researched, atmospheric narrative of the lives of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, and of the two men, Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, who brutally killed them on the night of November 15, 1959, is the seminal work of the "new journalism." Perry Smith is one of the great dark characters of American literature, full of contradictory 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." Told in chapters that alternate between the Clutter household and the approach of Smith and Hickock in their black Chevrolet, then between the investigation of the case and the killers' flight, Capote's account is so detailed that the reader comes to feel almost like a participant in the events.
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Mdion1993
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

A reconstructed telling of the murder and investigation of an esteemed Kansas family, and the psychological profile of their killers

True Crime ✨ Violence ✨ Motive

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dabbe
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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inthegreensandblues
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Eggs 🥶😱🫣 2mo
23 likes1 comment
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JenReadsAlot
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Book scavenger hunt - blood #hauntedshelf @PuddleJumper #flerken

PuddleJumper ❤️❤️ 2mo
29 likes1 comment
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Tamra
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

I might the last person who hadn‘t read this true crime narrative. Very well written and the cast of people involved well developed! Reads (listens) like a novel!

Chilling clinical descriptions of psychothopy.

I now need to go down the rabbit hole to learn more about Capote and his relationship with this story, which I understand had a significant impact on him.

IndoorDame Not the last 😂 it is on my list, but true crime really really isn‘t my genre so I never seem to get around to it 4mo
BarbaraBB I loved this one - not sure what that says about me 4mo
dabbe I'm still out there, too! 😂 4mo
Cathythoughts I remember reading this when I was young and found it life changing. I read it again a few years ago… it was different from what I remembered , but I still loved it and found it brilliant. 4mo
Flaneurette I haven‘t read it either bc I‘m a big chicken 🐔 4mo
47 likes5 comments
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Coffeymuse
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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This one started my love of all things true crime, even though it scared the bejesus out of me!

#Aboutabook
@alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@eggs

Eggs I can‘t read this one ☝️ 😱😱 4mo
25 likes1 comment
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dabbe
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#AboutABook
#BasedOnTrueStory
@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Very close to nonfiction, but still considered fiction. Well, #faction. Or a #nonfictionnovel

TheLudicReader Interesting. I have never heard it called fiction. 🤷 4mo
dabbe @TheLudicReader It definitely has been debated since this “novel“ was first written. From a 1965 article in THE GUARDIAN, George Steiner states that Capote “has described IN COLD BLOOD as a 'nonfiction novel,' as a 'fact fiction' whose narrative imposes fictional techniques on rigorously documentary material.“
Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/books/1965/dec/02/classics
4mo
TheLudicReader Haha, @dabbe. I would argue that it is impossible to have a non fiction novel, but what do I know? 🤣 4mo
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Eggs I have never been able to read this 😱 after so many years living in a rural community on the prairie, with the howling winds and the unwelcome strangers…I‘d feel I could never sleep again 4mo
dabbe @TheLudicReader One of our AP Language Teachers used this as an argumentative paper the kids had to write. They would have to prove one way or the other what kind of book it was. Both sides were fantastic to read, and the kids actually loved the assignment. I'd love to chat literature with you face to face! And many other things as well. 🩶🖤🩶 4mo
dabbe @Eggs In “TAO The Copper Beaches“ by Arthur Conan Doyle, the case occurs in the countryside. Watson tells Holmes how much he's looking forward to getting out of the crime and rot of London for the fresh air and open country. Here's Holmes's reply: “It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.“
😱
4mo
TheLudicReader Yes, @dabbe! I suspect we could talk for hours. 🤪 4mo
Amiable I‘ve always been under the impression that this book was the grandfather of the “narrative nonfiction” genre. That Capote basically invented the genre. Now, whether or not you can consider narrative nonfiction to be straight-up nonfiction is another question. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4mo
Eggs @dabbe Love that and ‘tis true though seemingly incongruous. 💕 4mo
dabbe @Amiable Yes! And one that's still highly debatable today! 🤩 4mo
dabbe @Eggs #truth 🤩 4mo
Amiable @dabbe I come down in the “yes” camp. Obviously, dialogue is embellished/assumed —especially in cases like this where the entire family was murdered and the killers aren‘t talking. But are the facts correct? Did the events that are described really happen? Then I‘m calling it nonfiction. Particularly if I learned something. But I also love narrative NF—it‘s probably my favorite genre. (edited) 4mo
dabbe @Amiable Excellent points. It seems like there's a huge grey area here, but that's what makes life interesting. 🤩 4mo
Amiable @dabbe I would love to sit in on your colleague‘s AP Language class and listen to the discussion about this! 4mo
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Jeg
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

Finally got to read it. Took him 5 years of research. I‘ve watched old interviews. My brother has a copy of the 1968 movie .👏👏. It‘s the one I want to watch as it‘s the one Truman had complete control of. Lots of old stuff about it all on YouTube and Google. Excellent writing. Glad I finally got to read it. My reading slow at the moment. Weather here is so nice . I‘ve been out and about a lot.

Tamra I‘ve been waiting ages for my audio library hold to come in! 8mo
TheLudicReader And so interesting that Harper Lee helped him with research. 8mo
Jeg @TheLudicReader that is interesting. Did not know that. When I watched the old interviews with him I got a surprise. He wasn‘t what I expected. I can imagine him and Harper being friends. 8mo
TheLudicReader The character of Dill was based on Truman Capote as Capote and Lee knew each other as children. @Jeg 8mo
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JuliaTheBookNerd
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#TrueCrime 🩸 #ItTakesAllKinds ☘️🌈🌷🌞

#BookNerd 🤓📚💙

Amiable Oh, that was such a good book. (I mean, in the way that a creepy story about a family that is murdered can be. 😬 ) This book definitely inspired my love of narrative nonfiction. 10mo
AmyG This was the book that made me a true crime fan. I spent much of my twenties reading true crime. 10mo
Eggs Great choice 👌🏼 10mo
lil1inblue I have yet to get around to this one. I may need to add it to this year's TBR.... 10mo
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Cortg
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Pickpick

I hosted the library/senior center book club this month and read In Cold Blood. One of the ladies read Furious Hours. She tied Lee & Capote together which I didn‘t know about and I got a little lesson in their history. I had no idea Lee Harper helped Capote do the research on this one and that they were childhood friends! As for the book, I enjoyed it but some of the story annoyed me. I added Furious Hours to my TBR. I‘m so curious!

Bookwormjillk I really enjoyed Furious Hours 13mo
TheLudicReader I think the character of Dill in TKaM is based on Capote. 13mo
Cortg @TheLudicReader I read about that! I also read Capote‘s first book has a character based on himself and one on Lee. 13mo
Cortg @Bookwormjillk Yay! I‘m going to give the audio a try after the holidays. 13mo
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WildAlaskaBibliophile
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Amiable I remember the first time I read this book as a teenager— I was awestruck at the power of Capote‘s writing. This is what great narrative nonfiction looks like! That‘s when I got hooked on the genre. 13mo
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dabbe
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Eggs Perfect 🩸💀❤️ 1y
dabbe @Eggs 🧡🎃🧡 1y
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Michellesibs
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Mehso-so

Published in 1965, this book is dry, beyond detailed and dithers all over the place. I dont need a detailed description of the lead detectives cat or the history of every prisoner on death row during the time period. What a load of babble.

The actual murders, motive and subsequent court case was interesting but I could have done myself a favour and just read the Wikipedia page.

Sorry Truman, you need a good edit in my opinion.

DrSabrinaMoldenReads Wow! I read this a while back and loved it. I have planned reread to see what I think about it now. 1y
Michellesibs @DrSabrinaMoldenReads I hope your reread goes well. It wasn't for me unfortunately but that's the great thing about books, we all read them differently. 1y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Exactly @Michellesibs! And it‘s a good chance I won‘t like it now. 1y
Michellesibs @DrSabrinaMoldenReads Yeah rereading is a risky business! 1y
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DivineDiana
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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I believe this is the first #truecrime book that I ever read. I will never forget it.

#bookbinge

TheBookgeekFrau Me too! I was about 13. I followed it up with Helter Skelter and the two books are forever tied together in my mind. 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚👌🏻👍🏻 1y
Eggs I just can‘t - creeped out!!😳😱 1y
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DivineDiana @thebookgeekfrau The closest I got to Helter Skelter was listening to the Beatles song! 😂 1y
DivineDiana @Eggs I was braver back then! 🙂 1y
TheBookgeekFrau @DivineDiana Can't say I blame you! 😂 1y
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Tkimsal
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 25 “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote. One of the tragedies of Capote‘s life is that he was not very prolific, but the work we do have from him is outstanding.

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Eggbeater
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

This was quite a harrowing story. It was told very well, although I do wonder how how all of that dialogue could have been verifiable fact.

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Kimberlone
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#Scarathlon Daily Photo Prompt Day 10 #Crime

I‘ve fallen behind on my photo posts again, so getting caught up today!

I feel like this book is still the ur-text for the true crime genre, while Capote‘s prose maintains its status as a classic work of non-fiction.

#TeamSlaughter

SomedayAlmost One of my favorites! 2y
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JenReadsAlot
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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I love true #crime and this is a favorite! #scarathlondailyprompts @Clwojick #teamslaughter

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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The second-best-selling true crime book in history (behind Vincent Bugliosi's “Helter Skelter”), Capote‘s telling of the Clutter Family murders is considered a pioneering book of the non-fiction novel/novelization of true crime genre and sky-rocketed him into literary fame, even though the accuracy of the book was questioned by some critics. #scarathlondailyprompts #crime #teamslaughter

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104_goodbuddyy
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

I love murder documentaries so I was so excited to read this. And. I. Loved. It. This is the first book in a long time where I forgot that I was reading it. I flew through the pages so quickly. The writing is fantastic. I was nervous that it was going to be boring, but it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The way Capote documented the events was incredible, I had to keep reminding myself that everything was true. 100/10

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JackieGreco
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
Pickpick

This was a dark true story of a two killers murdering an innocent family. The book is considered to be a classic and started the true crime genre.

LoverOfLearning A great read. Almost shocking at how much information you are given. Definitely a disturbing story 2y
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Andrea4
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Bailedbailed

I could have powered through finally but really I just didn't want to. And this isn't the first time this hold has come in. So I give up. Because obviously I did not find this captivating enough to finish.

Sharpeipup I‘m struggling with it too. A friend‘s daughter is reading it for school and asked me for help but I do not enjoy his writing style. 3y
Andrea4 @Sharpeipup I totally fell in love with his writing with his short stories but this...I don't know, I think it just dragged too much for me. 3y
FantasyChick I have this one but I don't think I've ever picked it up. 3y
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Sharpeipup
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Picked up so many good books during my recent #libraryhaul that I had to sort them by due date to answer the question “what should I read first?“

Does anyone else do this?

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Cathythoughts
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Thanks for the tag @TheNeverendingTBR 👍🏻

1. The tagged book had a huge impact on me when I first read it. I saw people/ the world differently

2. Yes , I will wear something green , and watch the parades , and raise a glass 👍🏻💚

I tag all who would like to join in.. #TwoforTuesday

TheNeverendingTBR I've had this for years and I've not read it, I keep putting it off. 3y
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 💚🍀🍺 3y
youneverarrived Such a powerful book. I‘d love to re-read it. 3y
49 likes3 comments
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Cazxxx
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Reading this for the second time. What are you reading today?

SRWCF I am reading 3y
Cazxxx @SRWCF Love Peter Pan! 3y
SRWCF @Cazxxx I think this is the first time I've ever read it. 🤔 3y
Cazxxx @SRWCF I hope you‘re enjoying it 3y
SRWCF @Cazxxx I am! I think Mr. and Mrs. Darling are such hilarious characters. They are so damn emotional! ? I keep saying to myself, "These two are the parents?!" 3y
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inthegreensandblues
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call "out there."

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Chrissyreadit Hey friend! Hope you are well! Just wanted to say Hi! 3y
inthegreensandblues @Chrissyreadit Hi! TY for poking me today. Hope you are good too ☺️ 3y
34 likes2 comments
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wisherwishinguponastar
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Hey, guys! I had some fun picking out true crime titles last night for this round of #lmpbc and I was curious what your thoughts are. I am excited to be reading with you guys! #teamt #teammoremurder #groupt

See All 9 Comments
HeathHof Ohhhh, these all sound good. I think my top two would be My Friend Dahmer and the tagged book. 3y
Patchshank They all seem great. My friend Dahmer or in cold blood would be my top two. 3y
Maggie4483 I think 3 of these are already on my TBR. They all sound good! 3y
wisherwishinguponastar How about we do My Friend Dahmer? It will be interesting to have a graphic novel in our selection! @Mynameisacolour @Patchshank @Maggie4483 3y
Patchshank Yeah. That works for me. 3y
HeathHof I'm good with that! 3y
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klu13
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
Mehso-so

First true crime

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Andrea4
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Been MIA lately with tarot studies and Christmas BUT since we got this little guy (Jasper), I feel I may be back to listening to many audiobooks as I try to balance my own running workouts with the multiple long walks a day this dude needs! I can't wait for the day when I have a running buddy!
Currently, listening to In Cold Blood (so festive, I know 🤪).

Soubhiville Aw cutie. Congratulations! 3y
Tamra Adorbs! 3y
Gissy 🐶❤️❤️❤️ 3y
Andrea4 @Soubhiville @tamra @Gissy thanks guys, he is pretty cute 3y
37 likes4 comments
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yoavshai
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 133.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

Cathythoughts Great book 👍🏻interesting cover (edited) 3y
9 likes1 comment
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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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We are coming to the end of October (already?!) and the end of this awesome book.

The way Perry is written, there are time I found my self feeling bad for him despite the horrors of his character.

Can you think of a time you‘ve had conflicting feelings, intended in the writing or not, for a character that is, or implied to be, evil or the villain?

#thatsclassic

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick The audiobook wasn't available yet so I didn't get around to this one. I might add it to my 2022 roster if it fits a challenge. 3y
Annie1215 I was disappointed and surprised the audiobook wasn‘t available through the library! @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick (edited) 3y
60 likes2 comments
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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Hey there #thatsclassic readers! Time for another check in.

I really loved this book and honestly felt like I was reading a purely fictional story. The way it was written really took me out of it feeling clinical. Did you feel this way?

This officially ranks high in my true crime reads. What are some of your favorite true crime stories? Some of mine are Columbine and American Predator.

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Bookworm54
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

I really enjoy true crime, but I get scared easily so don‘t partake often 🤣
I chose to listen to this one on audio for #ThatsClassic during my commute and it was so good! The narrator was amazing, and the book itself riveting. From the discovery of the crime through to the search for clues, the arrest and the time in prison, it really covered all bases. And actually, I found it more sad than scary… great pick!

EvieBee I really enjoyed this one, too. It also really scared me. The sheer waste of it all. 3y
TheSpineView Awesome! 3y
bthegood I found the way Capote laid out the story - a butterfly effect - if one thing had changed early on - it would have meant no crime. This is one of the scariest books I've read - due to way it is written and based on true story. 3y
55 likes4 comments
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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

I loved this! I‘m so glad I finally got around to reading it.

It takes great artistry to be able to paint a character as a villain and sympathetic at the same time.

So worth the read!
#thatsclassic #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
AmyG Such a great book. Got me hooked on true crime. 3y
74 likes2 comments
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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Checking in: #thatsclassic

As I‘ve been working through part one I‘m struck by the presence of the rural setting. In some ways it feels like it‘s own character in the story.

This makes me think of other stories where the setting is so prominent. The first thing I think of is Great Gatsby and the distinction of East/West Egg.

What are your thoughts on this? Any books where the location is key to the story?

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ravenlee
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

Just finished for #thatsclassic - one I‘ve been meaning to read for ages. The writing is incredible, and now I need to read more Capote. I may also need to reread Furious Hours for Harper Lee‘s involvement because the introduction left her out completely 😡. Hard to read because of the subject matter and yet compelling all the same. Thanks @Annie1215 for a good pick!

(Notice the tail; the cat is sitting on my chest to “help”)

KCofKaysville This book strongly influenced me when I was about 18 or so. It was a tragic story. I've seen the old movie again about a year ago and it holds up too. @ravenlee 3y
smalldogs_bigbooks2419 I had to really look closely to find the kitty tail. They‘re providing emotional support through a “scary” thing you‘re experiencing. Animals are intuitive like that 😻 3y
ravenlee @smalldogs_bigbooks2419 that must be why he kept trying to sit on my cheek/shoulder - he was trying to shield me from the ugly truth! 😆 Doesn‘t explain why he does that the rest of the time, though… 3y
Chrissyreadit I loved this book! It was most likely my first experience with true crime. 3y
42 likes4 comments
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ravenlee
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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My goals for #AnyWayYouReadathon are pretty modest: finish the tagged book (it‘s so good but I feel like I‘m just not making progress), keep up with Hood Feminism, maybe start another read (likely Small Spaces or Ophie‘s Ghosts). Family stuff happening tomorrow so who knows if I‘ll get any reading time.
#thatsclassic #SheSaid #MGBuddyRead
@kimmypete1 @Eggbeater @MidnightBookGirl

Eggbeater Glad you're joining us. 3y
kimmypete1 Thanks for joining us! 3y
28 likes2 comments
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reading_rainbow
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#ThatsClassic October pick is a good one! It just arrived today, I‘ve always wanted to read this one, very excited ☠️🧡

Annie1215 I can‘t wait to start it! 3y
28 likes1 comment
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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Time for spooky season #thatsclassic friends!

We‘re kicking off In Cold Blood today. This has been on my TBR for YEARSSSS and I‘m thrilled to finally get to it.

Who is joining this month?

ravenlee I‘m in! 3y
bthegood I've read it, will reread if #Scarathlon2021 books get read first, I did love it. 3y
See All 10 Comments
staci.reads It's so good. Enjoy! 3y
Bookworm54 I got this months book on audio ☺️ 3y
eeclayton I'm going to sit this one out, as I've read it. It's a great book, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 3y
Ephemera Outstanding book. After you read this, read Columbine. 3y
Annie1215 @Ephemera that‘s one of my favorites (feels odd to say) it‘s just so magnificently written! 3y
jb72 I really hope to fit this one this month. 3y
58 likes10 comments
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Loreen
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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#bannedbooksweek2021 continues! This book has been challenged due to #violence #sexualcontent #obscenelanguage. #readbannedbooks kids!

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Annie1215
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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A reminder as September comes to a close…

We are reading In Cold Blood for #thatsclassic in October.

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anushareflects
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

It was an interesting book albeit dry and lengthy at times, but good for true crime lovers. Full review on my blog www.anushareflects.com

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jpj7474
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote

Captivating. In my personal HOF.

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Q84
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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This is not complete but heres the time spent on it yesterday for #20in4 #readathon
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 3y
51 likes1 comment
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Q84
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Starting this audiobook for #20in4 #readathon

Tamra I‘ve never read this, but I keep meaning to! 3y
SweetP1967 This is a great book…one of my all time favorites! Hope you enjoy it! 3y
59 likes2 comments
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Runner5ive
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Pickpick

Read this for #BookClub. Really enjoyed it, even if true crime is not my thing (and you‘d think it would be, as I‘m studying law). Loved how the story humanised all the characters in a murder that otherwise would just be forgotten to history. Classic.

Cathythoughts Excellent review!! Great book 3y
15 likes1 comment
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TH3F4LC0N
In Cold Blood | Truman Capote
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Mehso-so

Finished In Cold Blood. It was alright. A tad underwhelming. The writing was kind of shockingly plain. The early portion of the book which detailed the lives of the victims was necessary but ultimately failed to create any real empathy. The psychological profiles of Smith & Hickock were excellent though. It kinda dissolved into nothing by the end & there were loads of characters I couldn‘t keep straight. Pretty good book, but all tell & no show.