I haven’t read this book since I was fourteen or fifteen. We read it in our English class, and it made a huge impression on me. I have thought about it many times over the years, so it was good to get to read it again all these years later.

As this is a true crime story, the outcome is known from the beginning. But it doesn’t make the reading experience any less powerful and suspenseful. It is completely absorbing, and the two murderers (Perry Smith, in particular) are absolutely fascinating. I found myself hoping Smith would be sentenced to life in prison, rather than death, even though he was the one who actually killed the four members of the Clutter family. And even though I know he was sentenced to death.

Truman Capote was a master character-writer, and he seems to have really understood where Smith was coming from. He writes about him and brings him to life, making him seem vulnerable, making us feel sympathy for him. Yet, he thinks nothing of killing four people. He laughs about it with Hicock on the way out to their car with their bounty of just $40.

The murder of the Clutters is at the heart of this book. There is no doubt what is going to happen to them, and when the murderers entered the house, I could feel the victims’ fear. I can’t imagine what they went through in those last minutes of their lives. The odd thing is I felt equally uncomfortable when Hicock and Smith were finally put to death. I felt anxious as I contemplated how I would feel in their situations. Although, neither man showed any sign that they were anxious.

If I have a criticism, it is the omnipotent narrator who jumps between a passive individual, and into each of the characters’ heads. It gets a little confusing at times. However, it does allow us to get to know the characters better. It allows us to see how much this terrible act affected the entire community. Weirdly, it was Nancy’s horse who really got to me.

As I read through this time around, I couldn’t help but wonder how a book with this much graphic violence made its way onto our Year 10 curriculum. We read it in tandem with ‘Schindler’s Ark’ by Thomas Kinneally. Also, a very serious and violent book. I can’t imagine children would be allowed to read ‘In Cold Blood’ today.

The last thing I want to mention is actually from my first reading, back in 1989-90. Leading up to reading this, I had always agreed with capital punishment. But this book made me realise I’d never really thought about that concept. If you kill someone, you must be killed, also. It was that simple. Reading this, though, I started to question my beliefs. So much so that when the class were split in two so that we could debate the subject, I found myself heading up the anti-capital punishment side. Something that really surprised me. And, this book played a large part in forming my opinions.

So, this book is not an easy read. It’s not a pleasant read. I can’t say it is enjoyable. But it does suck you in, and it does make you question certain things you’ve always thought you understood, but didn’t. It is an important book. I recommend it.

People interested in psychology, in understanding why people commit evil acts. (That said, we really don't learn why the pair felt compelled to kill the entire family.)

The characterisations of everyone in this story. Perry Smith, in particular, is the most interesting, fascinating person.

I found it hard to read the parts where the Clutters were murdered. I think, because it is a true story, it made it harder to read. My favourite genre to read is thrillers, so I'm used to reading about violence. But, these people really got to me.

Go back to my English class from thirty years ago and discuss the book with an adult head on my shoulders.

Sad.

You may learn a little something about human psychology. It shows that just because you commit an evil act, it doesn't necessarily mean you are evil. (Although you may be.)

It is violent. If you're squeamish, don't read it.

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Created Apr 17, 2021 at 6:12am • Submit your own review...