In Cold Blood
There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.
As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.
“imagination, of course, can open any door – turn the key and let terror walk right in”
first impressions: when a forced read surprises you
When I have to read a book for school, I often find myself annoyed and thus become annoyed with the book. It has nothing to do with my love for reading, since I definitely have an immense passion for it. I’m not sure what exactly it is, maybe being forced to read something I didn’t choose, that causes me to force away any book that is pushed upon me. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, however, was a very different experience.
I had to read In Cold Blood for my AP Lang class, but I didn’t push this book away like I did with so many others. I actually felt drawn to this book, and I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. I knew going into it that In Cold Blood was a classic, with both of my parents having read it before me. I am not an avid classics reader, so I was worried that this book would not be my style. But I was pleasantly surprised, and I hope to read more books like this in the future.
“it is easy to ignore the rain if you have a raincoat”
the story: reading beyond expectation
I didn’t know what to expect from this book, having only read the short blurb on the back cover before diving into the actual story. But it was a real, proper mystery. I enjoyed the anticipation that came from this book, waiting to see what would happen next. This book actually felt like nothing I had read before, but it’s hard to put my finger on why. There were many interesting aspects of the book, such as the writing, pacing, and structure. Each part felt like nothing I had ever read before, and I loved being able to dive into something that I didn’t fully understand.
Even though the story felt slow, the plot was still very intriguing. I was always wondering what would happen next, and I found myself thinking of the book throughout the day as I was reading it. Even after I had finished it, I found the story still lingering on my mind, which is something I have always loved about reading. A story that stays with you long after you finish it is always the best kind, and In Cold Blood was no exception. I will forever thank my English teacher for “forcing” me to read this book, and I know now that I don’t need to be annoyed at every book I’m assigned to read.
“as long as you live, there’s always something waiting; and even if it’s bad, and you know it’s bad, what can you do? you can’t stop living”
final thoughts: a story that stays with you
Overall, I found myself really enjoying this story, and even if you are not as much into classics, you will still enjoy this story. Happy reading, everyone!