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My Side of the Matter
One of the great masters of lyrical melancholy, Truman Capote remains admired for both his fiction including Breakfast at Tiffany's and the pioneering In Cold Blood, a non-fiction novel telling the true story of a brutal murder. Penguin Modern Classics publish the full range of Capote's novels and short stories, and the four tales in this collection show to the full the blend of cynicism, humour and love that characterized his finest work.
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1945
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About the author
Truman Capote
348 books7,392 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 1, 2020
A very short collection of brief tales in true Capote style, the one where you feel you are sipping coffee with him while the scene plays out before you. He was a master.
These stories are no more than what may be told at a dinner party to admiring guests, in parts suspenseful, a little comical, and mostly nonsensical. I could read hundreds of them just for his style but these stories lead nowhere. They build a scene, introduce a couple of characters and then end, feeling as though there is so much more to come. Like a good dinner party story, they leave you feeling like half is missing, or did you just misinterpret the point? Just a little added Capote bitchiness to keep you entertained.
These stories are no more than what may be told at a dinner party to admiring guests, in parts suspenseful, a little comical, and mostly nonsensical. I could read hundreds of them just for his style but these stories lead nowhere. They build a scene, introduce a couple of characters and then end, feeling as though there is so much more to come. Like a good dinner party story, they leave you feeling like half is missing, or did you just misinterpret the point? Just a little added Capote bitchiness to keep you entertained.
August 18, 2022
Southern gothic on steroids. The central character and narrator is unlikable and offensive and let's just say I'd have walloped him one, too, had I been there. They use "Papa's sword." I'd have reached for the wooden thing I use to pound cutlets. Layabouts be warned. Ladies can be riled. Capote nails it.
September 15, 2009
I do declare, when I read a Truman Capote book I find just about the whole time I'm reading it, whether I'm tying a hog or just sitting whittling at a stick, I've got a southern Gothic monologue going on in my head, so as I can't hardly think.
August 7, 2021
A short story by Truman Capote.
Another decent short story but again not quite reaching the heights of some of his other works. Still worth reading though.
I really enjoy Truman Capote books but this one was a little too brief even for me. I am glad I read it but look forward to reading another full length novel.
Another decent short story but again not quite reaching the heights of some of his other works. Still worth reading though.
I really enjoy Truman Capote books but this one was a little too brief even for me. I am glad I read it but look forward to reading another full length novel.
July 1, 2023
4 stars overall, each short story separately rated below.
3 stars: Miriam
3 stars: My Side of the Matter
5 stars: Music for Chameleons
5 stars: Mr. Jones
This collection of short stories is a wonderful example of Truman Capote’s writing skill. His ability to create melancholic characters and places is incredible and these stories do not fall short of that.
Personally, I preferred the two shorter stories at the end (twelve and three pages respectively), partially for their content and partially because I was not left wanting at the end of each one; I was merely spurred into continuing the narratives with my own curious imagination, having been left satisfied enough with their conclusions.
The first two, however well written, failed to end on conclusions that enabled me to do this. Whether that was because of their content or because they were longer (20 and 17 pages respectively) and therefore lended themselves to the idea that they’d have more substance, I am not sure.
The narratives of the first two also didn’t feel that believable, whereas Music for Chameleons and Mr. Jones feel like perfectly reasonable snapshots of someone’s life that would be relayed to friends over dinner. And Capote may well have developed the stories in that way, before committing them to paper.
4 stars overall.
3 stars: Miriam
3 stars: My Side of the Matter
5 stars: Music for Chameleons
5 stars: Mr. Jones
This collection of short stories is a wonderful example of Truman Capote’s writing skill. His ability to create melancholic characters and places is incredible and these stories do not fall short of that.
Personally, I preferred the two shorter stories at the end (twelve and three pages respectively), partially for their content and partially because I was not left wanting at the end of each one; I was merely spurred into continuing the narratives with my own curious imagination, having been left satisfied enough with their conclusions.
The first two, however well written, failed to end on conclusions that enabled me to do this. Whether that was because of their content or because they were longer (20 and 17 pages respectively) and therefore lended themselves to the idea that they’d have more substance, I am not sure.
The narratives of the first two also didn’t feel that believable, whereas Music for Chameleons and Mr. Jones feel like perfectly reasonable snapshots of someone’s life that would be relayed to friends over dinner. And Capote may well have developed the stories in that way, before committing them to paper.
4 stars overall.
September 7, 2019
A super quick read, probably perfect for a short train journey. 4 short stories, one of which was barely 3 pages long.
Easy to read prose, interesting characters, borderline humour even. But what didn’t work for me is the ending.
As much as I can accept ambiguous ending, it is a bit disappointing when there’s no ending at all. Like the first story, Miriam. I am going to read up other reviews to see what I missed reading between the lines, because it did end abruptly. Just like the next story. And the next. And the last one.
Easy to read prose, interesting characters, borderline humour even. But what didn’t work for me is the ending.
As much as I can accept ambiguous ending, it is a bit disappointing when there’s no ending at all. Like the first story, Miriam. I am going to read up other reviews to see what I missed reading between the lines, because it did end abruptly. Just like the next story. And the next. And the last one.
March 22, 2024
In his fiction works, Truman Capote's most common themes are anxiety, dread and uncertainty. He has an easy-to-read writing style that I enjoy.
Stories in this collection:
Miriam - 5 stars - a creepy gothic-style tale. Is it a ghost story or the story of a widow losing her mind? I really loved this one.
My Side of the Matter - 3 stars
Music For Chameleons - 3 stars
Mr Jones - 4 stars - It's brilliance is in its brevity and simplicity. It leaves the reader trying to interpret who Mr Jones was and what his real story was
Stories in this collection:
Miriam - 5 stars - a creepy gothic-style tale. Is it a ghost story or the story of a widow losing her mind? I really loved this one.
My Side of the Matter - 3 stars
Music For Chameleons - 3 stars
Mr Jones - 4 stars - It's brilliance is in its brevity and simplicity. It leaves the reader trying to interpret who Mr Jones was and what his real story was
March 28, 2019
Truman Capote created an amazing cast of characters in a deep south rural town. The subjective narrator point of view was a brilliant chioice as we quickly come to detest the main character story teller who we are supposed to be sympathetic with!
November 10, 2024
3.5/10
Quite funny and the characters were colourful but I do not know what to make of it. A sort of blasse attitude to life causes it to slowly spiral downward? The best I could get and though it's not convincing it is pretty nice.
Quite funny and the characters were colourful but I do not know what to make of it. A sort of blasse attitude to life causes it to slowly spiral downward? The best I could get and though it's not convincing it is pretty nice.
May 13, 2023
Only read ‘My Side Of The Matter’ as part of a study for school. A pretty good short story that leaves you wondering. I feel as though Capote’s writing style really shone in this one.
September 28, 2023
Yeah it was interesting but I just hate this dude
May 3, 2025
6 de abril del 2025
September 15, 2025
Crazy Southern folk. Pretty amusing.
January 19, 2022
Knjiga vsebuje štiri kratke zgodbe; z vsako se nam odprejo vrata v neko dogajanje ali trenutek, smo prisotni kratek čas, potem se vrata zaprejo.
Utrinek iz življenja stare gospe, ki jo preganja strašljivo dekletce (Miriam), zabaven prikaz precej nerealnega,zelo subjektivnega pogleda na svet (My side of the matter), delček kramljanja med obiskom (Music for Chameleons) in skrivnostna zgodba o izginulem slepem sosedu (Mr. Jones).
Utrinek iz življenja stare gospe, ki jo preganja strašljivo dekletce (Miriam), zabaven prikaz precej nerealnega,zelo subjektivnega pogleda na svet (My side of the matter), delček kramljanja med obiskom (Music for Chameleons) in skrivnostna zgodba o izginulem slepem sosedu (Mr. Jones).
February 13, 2013
"El objeto es un espejo negro.
—Perteneció a Gauguin —explica ella—. Ya sabe, por supuesto, que vivió y pintó aquí antes de establecerse entre los polinesios. Éste era su espejo negro. Eran artefactos bastante comunes entre artistas del siglo pasado. Van Gogh usó uno. Igual que Renoir.
—No logro entenderlo. ¿Para qué los usaban?
—Para refrescar su visión. Para renovar su reacción al color, las variaciones tonales. Tras una sesión de trabajo, con los ojos fatigados, descansaban mirando al interior de esos espejos oscuros. Igual que en un banquete los gourmets vuelven a despertarse el paladar entre platos complicados, con un sombat de citron —levanta de la mesa el pequeño volumen que contiene el espejo y me lo tiende—. Lo uso a menudo, cuando tengo los ojos debilitados por tomar demasiado sol. Es sedante.
Sedante, y también inquietante. La oscuridad, a medida que uno mira dentro de ella, deja de ser negra y se convierte en un extraño azul plateado: el umbral de visiones secretas."
—Perteneció a Gauguin —explica ella—. Ya sabe, por supuesto, que vivió y pintó aquí antes de establecerse entre los polinesios. Éste era su espejo negro. Eran artefactos bastante comunes entre artistas del siglo pasado. Van Gogh usó uno. Igual que Renoir.
—No logro entenderlo. ¿Para qué los usaban?
—Para refrescar su visión. Para renovar su reacción al color, las variaciones tonales. Tras una sesión de trabajo, con los ojos fatigados, descansaban mirando al interior de esos espejos oscuros. Igual que en un banquete los gourmets vuelven a despertarse el paladar entre platos complicados, con un sombat de citron —levanta de la mesa el pequeño volumen que contiene el espejo y me lo tiende—. Lo uso a menudo, cuando tengo los ojos debilitados por tomar demasiado sol. Es sedante.
Sedante, y también inquietante. La oscuridad, a medida que uno mira dentro de ella, deja de ser negra y se convierte en un extraño azul plateado: el umbral de visiones secretas."
May 7, 2016
This is a book of four short stories written by Truman Capote.
He really was the master of stringing words together and more so a master of creating really flawed and intriguing characters. My main issue with the book is that I don't really get into short stories (which is a mark for how much I love Capote if I picked this up). I take time to warm to characters and to engage in story lines and that is something that short stories rarely offer.
The first story "Miriam" was my favorite. Haunting. Scary. Very open ended. I also liked the final story "Mr Jones". Even though it was only a few pages long it left you thinking and wondering and let you fill in the blanks to what you think happened.
The middle stories "My Side of the Matter" and "Music for Chameleons" were a bit hit and miss for me, but still glad to have another insight into the mind of Mr Capote.
He really was the master of stringing words together and more so a master of creating really flawed and intriguing characters. My main issue with the book is that I don't really get into short stories (which is a mark for how much I love Capote if I picked this up). I take time to warm to characters and to engage in story lines and that is something that short stories rarely offer.
The first story "Miriam" was my favorite. Haunting. Scary. Very open ended. I also liked the final story "Mr Jones". Even though it was only a few pages long it left you thinking and wondering and let you fill in the blanks to what you think happened.
The middle stories "My Side of the Matter" and "Music for Chameleons" were a bit hit and miss for me, but still glad to have another insight into the mind of Mr Capote.
January 24, 2012
I was once not fond of short stories, but a class in university allowed me to appreciate the medium. In this small collection of four stories, I found them all extremely well written and captivating. My least favourite was the second, after which the collection is named: 'My Side of the Matter'. I didn't dislike it, I just found it resonated with me less than the other three. 'Miriam', the first in this collection, gave me chills up my spine in the most subtle way I reread it immediately. I would love to hear if others felt the same way. 'Mr. Jones' is all of three pages but still packs a punch- I will definitely be reaching for more of Capote's work after reading these.
October 4, 2015
The four stories in this collection demonstrate Capote's ability to observe carefully, and create interesting characters in unusual circumstances. A wholly worthwile read - also demonstrating how the Pocket Penguin 70s can expand readers' experience of an author after working through the Penguin 60s (which did not happen with Anaïs Nin and Gabriel Garcia Marquez).
Capote se fyn waarnemingsvermoë, waarmee hy ongewone karakters in besondere omstandighede skep, word in hierdie viertal kortverhale gedemonstreer. Beslis die lees werd!
Capote se fyn waarnemingsvermoë, waarmee hy ongewone karakters in besondere omstandighede skep, word in hierdie viertal kortverhale gedemonstreer. Beslis die lees werd!
September 24, 2012
Really liked Miriam, creepy, gripping and beautifully written. I already read and liked music for chameleons but think I should reread it as all i can remember is an old lady speaking to tge narrator, playing music to an audence of chameleons and then stamping her foot and the chameleons scatter like sparks from an exploding star. The title story didn't do much for me and the as for final and tiny story Mr Jones, why bother? 3 pages of non-story. But still a huge Capote fan, his hits hit hard
April 2, 2016
This was a wonderful little collection of short stories. Truman Capote's writing is always phenomenal, and this collection is no exception. Filled with wit and mystery, these four stories were a pleasure and joy to read!
January 31, 2008
Did this piece as part of my storytelling entry in speech team in high school... funny stuff.
February 28, 2010
Sofisticated writing, a fast and lovely read.
March 9, 2014
A quick read! interesting short tales or maybe tall tales!!
June 18, 2016
One of the all time classic stories regarding point of view. A brilliant story in a hick part of the South.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews