This week, as I’ve been ill and also reading for some other projects I’m stoked about, my one banned book is Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood – and, oh my word, do I have thoughts.

This work, called a non-fiction novel, the first of its kind, tells the agonizing story of the murders of Herb, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon Clutter on November 14, 1959 in Holcomb, Kansas.

First, as a true crime junkie, I cannot believe I haven’t read this before. It is second only to Helter Skelter in overall sales in the true crime genre – and, while I read Helter Skelter in the 8th grade for a book report (thank you forever, Mrs. Levi, for letting me be a weird kid ❤ ) , it has been so long since then that I can’t begin to compare them.

I can, however, speak to the quality of this book.

Capote’s writing style alone is remarkable, descriptive and poetic – even in the face of a terrible subject. Also, the way he chooses to organize this piece, as he tells it from multiple perspectives – the victims, the offenders, and various community members – is fascinating.

I understand that he and his childhood best friend Harper Lee (oh my word!) went to Holcomb in the immediate aftermath of the crime and were on the ground even before Richard Hickock and Perry Smith were arrested for the murders. He follows the story from the beginning – even before the crime – through their trial and execution as well as to the community afterwards.

The painstaking detail in which he shares the lives of each person who’s story he is telling – both victim and perpetrator – is also astonishing and makes the novel that much more compelling.

From a true crime perspective, I will never forget the story of the Clutter family.

In considering how well the novel is written alone, I have added a few more of Capote’s works to my TBR.

I’m calling this week’s banned book reading a win. ❤

Harper Lee now on my mind – and To Kill a Mockingbird unbelievably on our Banned Books list – a reread of this beloved classic is my next stop for this upcoming week.

Wishing you all a great weekend and happy reading.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.

Banned Books Read So Far:

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Awakening – Kate Chopin

Lady Chatterley’s Lover – D.H. Lawrence

Animal Farm – George Orwell

1984 – George Orwell

Slaughterhouse Five – Kurt Vonnegut

Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston

A Separate Peace – John Knowles

Lolita – Vladmir Nabokov

A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway

The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck

As I Lay Dying – William Faulkner

LOTR – The Fellowship of The Ring – J.R.R. Tolkien

LOTR – The Two Towers – J.R.R. Tolkien

LOTR – The Return of the King – J.R.R. Tolkien

Cat’s Cradle – Kurt Vonnegut

In Cold Blood – Truman Capote