The Complete Stories of Truman Capote

by Truman Capote

I always feel either guilty or stupid when I don't like a well-written book that everyone else says is great. And that some terrible consequence will come of giving it a low rating! Well, here goes- I don't like Truman Capote's writing. After seeing the film Capote, I was really curious about the book In Cold Blood. I tried to read it, I really did. I couldn't. Not even fifty pages. I guess crime fiction really isn't my thing. (I thought this would be better because it's about a true incident). But I still felt like I ought to appreciate this author, so I picked up the collection of his short stories- The Complete Stories of Truman Capote. I forced myself to finish it, because I so wanted to find something to like or admire. The stories all left me totally unmoved. By the time I finished the book, I couldn't remember what most of them were even about. Pathetic, isn't it? Even now, flipping through the pages to try and write something decent here, the only story that rings a bell at all is "Children on Their Birthdays". So maybe I liked that one better than the others, or could relate to it a little bit, or it made me feel sad. But I still can't tell you what it's about. I don't remember. I'm hoping there's another reader out there who shares my sentiments here, but if not, I welcome the barrage! go ahead, cut me down for being unappreciative of a great writer (so he's lauded), or better yet, convince me I should try again. (You'll have to be really convincing).

Rating: 2/5                      300 pages, 2004