Filled with lavish descriptions and poignant anecdotes, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a compelling account of the murders of the Clutter family in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas. In this piece Capote attempts to produce a new variety of nonfiction: the nonfiction novel. Critics such as Conrad Knickerbocker praise Capote for his success in creating a cinematic experience within a nonfiction book, whereas others such as Stanley Kauffmann criticize him for an unnecessarily detailed piece about a simple murder. Although both Kauffmann and Knickerbocker have reasonable and justifiable arguments, both present perspectives that are debatable. In Cold Blood is filled with gratuitous and excessive details to obscure the shallow manner of the book, however, it does not fail to intrigue and engage.
Although successful in painting vivid images, the book is inclined toward being “overripe” with many details being “extraneous ‘color’” (Kauffmann 1). Furthermore, the details within do not add to the story as a piece of artwork, but rather take up space. As Kauffmann indicates, Capote inflates an event - one that occurred in a …show more content…
However, his argument is flawed. One of the primary goals of Capote in writing In Cold Blood was to popularize and/or create a nonfiction novel. Although whether or not he succeeded in doing so is arguable, the fact that Capote intended to create an art piece of a nonfiction book - hence the name nonfiction novel - is undeniable. Knickerbocker emphasizes the distinct style of Capote and praises it through mimicking it throughout his review. A key element to novel writing is the artistic aspect, and Capote’s unique style was the representation of this aspect. Thus, arguing that Capote’s style degrades the quality of the book (as one that is nonfiction) is
Although successful in painting vivid images, the book is inclined toward being “overripe” with many details being “extraneous ‘color’” (Kauffmann 1). Furthermore, the details within do not add to the story as a piece of artwork, but rather take up space. As Kauffmann indicates, Capote inflates an event - one that occurred in a …show more content…
However, his argument is flawed. One of the primary goals of Capote in writing In Cold Blood was to popularize and/or create a nonfiction novel. Although whether or not he succeeded in doing so is arguable, the fact that Capote intended to create an art piece of a nonfiction book - hence the name nonfiction novel - is undeniable. Knickerbocker emphasizes the distinct style of Capote and praises it through mimicking it throughout his review. A key element to novel writing is the artistic aspect, and Capote’s unique style was the representation of this aspect. Thus, arguing that Capote’s style degrades the quality of the book (as one that is nonfiction) is