Book Girl

The newspapers and magazines are now full with references to Truman Capote and In Cold Blood. This is exciting for me, as I spent two years of my life researching and writing my degree dissertation on Capote and the author's fascination with the killer, in particular with reference to In Cold Blood and Capote's further projects involving killers.

The movie has yet to hit the UK, and I'm a little wary of seeing it, just in case I don't like aspects of the portrayal of Capote or any of those involved in the Clutter case. I'm most interested to see how Harold Nye is portrayed, considering his controversial statements about Capote's personal relationships with Perry and Dick following their capture. However, George Plimpton has been involved in the project so I would hope that the facts are accurate.

In some ways it's great to see everyone else appreciating a writer I completely adore, and often talk about at length, but conversely I worry that the focus isn't on the writing, or the experiment, but on the murders. Selfishly, my main concern is that I must now share Capote with the rest of the world. When you spend so long reading through every word ever written, spoken, published by one man, every word written about him, you begin to feel you know him, and I frequently had to restrain myself from referring to him as Truman throughout my final dissertation - all the familiar faces of the trial: Dewey, Perry, Dick, Herb Clutter felt like friends.

But, there comes a time in every friendship that you have to let go.

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If you haven't read any Capote, I personally recommend:

A Christmas Memory - the most beautiful short story you'll ever read
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Read the original and the best
In Cold Blood - A fascinating read, and a great insight into both the American psyche and the death penalty

John Irving
'Until I Find You'

A bit of an epic novel from Irving - but with all the fun, eccentricity, and tragedy of his best work. Suprisingly upbeat considering the subject matter.

Following the life of Jack Burns, from childhood until he meets his father. A great documentation of the tattoo network as Irving follows the career of Daughter Alice and the tattoos of the music man.

Ranks as my second favourite of his books so far, with 'The Fourth Hand' taking first place for it's fantastic black humour.

You'll finish it wondering the answer to the question that threads its way through the novel: Why do full bodies feel cold?