Why ‘In Cold Blood’ is a Classic Book Worth Celebrating
Truman Capote’s classic In Cold Blood remains a stunning piece of work. Here’s why.
The Story
In Cold Blood tells of the real-life slaying that took place in small-town Kansas in 1959, and the capturing, courtroom proceedings, and ultimate death of the two killers — Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. The book is told in third person omniscient, past tense, from multiple perspectives, including Perry and Dick.
Capote’s non-fiction book begins by presenting the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, as a serene and quiet little town where nothing bad or sensational ever happens. We learn of Herb Clutter, who runs a successful farm and has a loving family, and has no idea the horror that is coming. We also learn of Perry and Dick, two ex-convicts looking for the perfect score and who hear about a private safe in the home of Mr. Clutter, which they plan to rob.
They don’t plan to actually hurt anyone, but in the early morning November 15, 1959, Perry and Dick discover little money on the Clutter estate and, fearing the family members might try to identify them, they murder the family of four and ditch town with only a couple of the Clutter’s possessions. Capote then follows the aftermath of the murders, how it affects the people…
