In Cold Blood Truman Capote

By Ralph F. Voss

“Truman Capote and the Legacy of In Cold Blood” is the anatomy of the origins of an American literary landmark and its legacy.

Voss examines Capote and “In Cold Blood” from many perspectives, not only as the crowning achievement of Capote{u2019}s career, but also as a story in itself, focusing on Capote{u2019}s artfully composed text, his extravagant claims for it as reportage, and its larger status in American popular culture.

Though it{u2019}s been nearly 50 years since the Clutter murders and far more gruesome crimes have been documented, “In Cold Blood” continues to resonate deeply in popular culture. Beyond questions of artistic selection and claims of truth, beyond questions about capital punishment and Capote{u2019}s own post-publication dissolution, “In Cold Blood{u2019}s” ongoing relevance stems, argues Voss, from its unmatched role as a touchstone for enduring issues of truth, exploitation, victimization, and the power of narrative.

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