Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career

by George Plimpton

The Barnes & Noble Review December 1997

He was the most gracious of hosts and the most coveted of guests; his rapier wit and sartorial flair formed a cult of personality that now defines what it means to be a member of the literati. Truman Capote was a self-made, absolute original who could at turns be charmingly lovable and artfully cruel.

The brilliant author of 'In Cold Blood' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' made it fashionable and indispensable for people to know him, for he became the very nexus of the exciting worlds of politics, fashion, Hollywood, the arts, and high society - a status best exemplified by his legendary Black and White Ball.

Now the people he surrounded himself with tell his remarkable story to bestselling author and literary lion George Plimpton.

Using oral biography, a technique that aptly portrays his social subject, George Plimpton blends the voices of Capote's lovers, haters, acquaintances, and colleagues into a captivating and highly readable narrative.

We are treated to the full scope of Capote's life - his southern childhood and his early days in New York; his first literary success with the publication of 'Other Voices, Other Rooms'; his highly active love life; the groundbreaking excitement of 'In Cold Blood', the first "nonfiction novel"; his years as a jet-setter; and his final days of flagging inspiration, alcoholism, and isolation.

All his famous society friends and enemies are represented in this veritable cocktail party of Capote's life - Katherine Graham, Lauren Bacall, Gore Vidal, Joan Didion, William Styron, KurtVonnegut,Norman Mailer, Lee Radziwill, John Huston, John Knowles, William F. Buckley, Jr., and dozens of others.

Complete with a chronology of Capote's life and biographies of the contributors - a veritable Who's Who of 20th century letters - 'Truman Capote In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career' resonates with Capote's infectious wit and spirit, eliciting the impish genius, his writing, and his indelible effect on the glittering array of personalities who surround him.

And no one could better weave these voices together than George Plimpton famous for living the story before writing it.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir, Literature, Memoir, 20th Century

498 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

George Ames Plimpton was an American journalist, writer, editor, actor, and gamesman. He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found The Paris Review.

He was the grandson of George A. Plimpton.

Reviews

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was sometimes hard to tell the friends from the enemies in this collection of memories from people who knew Capote. Many of the so-called memories were about plumping up the ego of the speaker, rather than paying tribute to Tru, but given the crowd that he ran with, that kind of self-aggrandizing conduct is to be expected. There were some contradictions in the stories, but the themes that came through were that Truman was a fun person, devoted to his writing and his friends in about equal portions. His social life stands as its own separate work of art - from the legendary Black and White ball, to the public feuds, to the cross over of friendships into his writing with Answered Prayers, his personal relationships form a significant part of his legend. A couple people made the observation that Truman did not have an educated writer's mind - he read voraciously, but didn't have the formal training that university provides. This lack of historical or cultural context was provided as a reason for why he was not able to complete Answered Prayers as a Proustian epic of American life, as he planned. Might it also be a reason for how he lost his way? He was a talented writer, but somehow untethered to his world - he floated and danced above it all, until his heart grew too heavy to be buoyed up. A writer with the power to fascinate, almost 40 years after his very sad, untimely death.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't seen the movie INFAMOUS, with Toby Stephens and Sandra Bullock, you should watch it right away. It was based on this book, and it's amazing! This is the best biography of a great American writer that I have ever read. The reason is that it's more of an oral history, (my favorite kind of book) or a collection of interviews, in the tradition of THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES by Lawrence Ritter or BLOODS by Wallace Terry. There's something funny or touching or memorable on almost every single page. My favorite section was an interview with Truman Capote where he explains in very precise detail how he writes each draft and edits them before publication. There were also some great stories about his childhood in Alabama, and interviewing the real life killers who inspired IN COLD BLOOD. The chapters on high society weren't that interesting, but even at the very end there were some great passages, like the eulogy by the poet James Dickey.

This is an amazing book!

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw the movie, Infamous, which is more or less based on part of this book, and because I liked the movie, I thought I'd get even more out of the book.

WRONG.

The author interviewed about 200 people who knew something about Capote, then cut that material into a bunch of paragraph length gossips, then pasted all the stuff together in chronological order.

NOT the way to write an interesting book.

In fact, I'd say Plimpton didn't really write a book,
he just recorded conversations and pasted other peoples
thoughts together.

In this case the movie is much better than the book,
Toby Jones gives a great performance as Capote.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago and remember it as being well written and interesting. I own a copy and want to reread it to give it a proper review. Truman Capote was quite a character and up until the last few years of his life was one heck of a good writer.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coundn't put this down. I find it difficult to review a biography I have chosen to read purely to find out more about the life of someone I know a little about and want to find out more in that, if the biography is 'well written' (whatever that means), the reading is tandem with concentrating on building the picture from the information reported rather than how well it is or is not written . This biography is made up of segments of dialogue from people who featured in Capote's life. One event or conversation could be written from the viewpoint of more than one person, often as asides without much background, leaving the reader to decide whether or not they will believe what is, basically, gossip. It is a narrative style similar to how Capote wrote 'In Cold Blood' (though the sources were diametrically opposed to gossip) and, to a certain extent, satisfies the problem all biography readers must face re how the biographer selects and deselects information, and how the voice or style in which it is presented colours the information they choose to deliver. There is a similarity in the segments style wise, not much variation of voice, definitely no hesitations, silences, umms or aaahs but the 'facts' differs. I am always aware when reading a biography of who the biographer is, where they fit in their subjects life, what their sources are and where there seems to be biases. There are bound to be some here, it is unavoidable in any biography, but George Plimpton has succeeded in presenting something that feels like being in the company of the people that Capote filled his life with, all gossiping and sharing and exposing themselves as much as they do Capote. Says a lot about them, and through that, Capote. I found it very satisfying.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a couple of Capote's books on my to-read list and have always wondered why there seems to be a sort of mystique about him. I got this book at the library and found out more (and less) than I wanted to know. It was pretty long, 470 pages or so and really dragged for me in some places. I found myself just wanting "the dirt".

But then there's something else; the book, by George Plimpton, is written in a style called "Oral Biography" and I've never read naything like it. Each vignette was told (to Plimpton) by a different person from Capote's life, from the small town where he grew up to the high society circles of New York, London, Paris and the Mediterranean where he spent his professional life hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Sometimes their stories overlap and sometimes they contradict. It was mostly interesting, but just as if you really were listening to these people gossiping and talking about Truman at a cocktail party, you kind of have to hear about a bunch of stuff you really didn't ask for.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like George Plimpton biographies. Its like you are sitting around in a living room and everyone is talking about Truman Capote.Truman as a person and a writer was quite a force. Even though I feel like I know a lot about him, I still feel like there is a lot of mystery concerning his nature and motivations. He was definitely a person with motivations--horribly good or wonderfully bad. One thing I did miss out on was some of the details. Like when did he start drinking and pill popping? Its like all of a sudden he was a drunk. I mean I know it happened after In Cold BLood and after the black and white ball...
When I read about writers I always wonder...is this someone I would want to know? could we be friends? I think the answer is no.
Also, I was trying to think, what would Truman be like today? could he survive? I am not really sure that he could. He certainly would not be able to get away with creating himself so artfully, which I think is a little sad really.

[Harriett Milnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Plimpton put together bits of interviews into 40 chapters, following Capote's life. Truman Capote, what do folks think about him now?

I read The Swans of Fifth Avenue with this one. The Swans of Fifth Avenue is about his foray into the NYC society set.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and I love George Plimpton! With this book, Plimpton comes out with a new form of biography. He tells the story of Truman Capote's life, by ingeniously editing the words of "various friends, enemies, acquaintances and detractors" together to create a seamless narrative. We get to know Truman Capote through the people in his life... and what a life it was. Really poignant and also fun. Highly recommended for anyone who likes biographies, Truman Capote fan's, and those who are interested in a writer's life or New York Society. Also recommended for anyone who loves a good story.

[Richard Jespers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in Plimpton’s biography of Edie Sedgwick, Edie: American Girl, he weaves together the opinions, the diary entries, the essays, and reflections of those who knew Truman Capote. An interesting concept, because some writers contradict others concerning the same topic, and the reader must discern who is right, or else abandon such an idea and just enjoy the nature of this biography. At times Capote's story is gossipy, at other times, heart-wrenching as his friends share their witnessing of his slow demise due to alcoholism and drug addiction, the utter waste that seems to occur after his huge success with In Cold Blood.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like biographies and Capote's film, though not true to the book, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" inspired me to move to NYC and become a high priced call girl. No! Not really! I didn't figure out what her true occupation was until I had seen the movie 12 times, that's how naive I was. I just wanted to live in an apartment with a half-bathtub couch which I actually DID manage to obtain, and fall in love with a handsome gay man. Anyway, this is fascinating taken from the viewpoint of the various people who knew him through his lifetime. He was both a success story and a tragic figure, a traumatized child and a little bitch. It was also a good picture of a bygone era.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing amazing amazing. A pastiche of stories from those who knew, loved, and hated TC best. The way a biography should be written. TC is fascinating and the stories about the literati to the glitterati--from Yaddo to The Plaza--are hilarious, astute, devastating, and, most importantly, contradictory. I'm running out to read Edie now (Plimpton's other "biography" in this style).

[Maria Di Biase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Partiamo dall’inizio

Truman Streckfus Persons nasce a New Orleans nel 1924.
I genitori divorziano quando lui ha quattro anni: la madre, molto bella e molto giovane, vince un concorso di bellezza, abbandona la famiglia e si trasferisce a New York. Il piccolo Truman cresce tra l’Alabama, la Louisiana e il Mississippi. A sei anni va a vivere a Monroville da alcuni parenti e stringe un legame importante con sua cugina Sook: è più grande di lui, ma è rimasta un po’ bambina a causa di una febbre tifoide che le ha procurato un certo ritardo mentale. Sook prepara a Truman delle focacce che insaporisce in segreto con un goccio di whisky, lo aiuta a ritagliare carta colorata per costruire gli aquiloni e lo veste da donna come se fosse la sua bambola.

Le focacce di Sook, il successo di Colazione da Tiffany e A sangue freddo, la brutta faccenda di Preghiere esaudite e il declino di uno scrittore americano tra i più eccentrici e talentuosi: tutto è compreso nel libro di George Plimpton, fondatore del The Paris Review, arricchito con testimonianze dirette di amici e parenti, e interventi dello stesso Capote. Consigliato!

Qui: un approfondimento su Truman Capote

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a little trouble getting into this, not because it's an oral history as I've just read one of those, but because I had zero clue who most of the people were, i.e., 1950s New York socialites, big name 1950s/60s publishers, etc., so I wasn't certain why I cared what they thought.

However, it didn't take too long (less than 100 pages) to get into the swing of things and figure out who's who, for the most part.

I found it fascinating how people went from simply adoring him to despising him (not everybody, of course) and how very sad the last few years of his life were.

As usual with me I now want to read everything he's written (I read In Cold Blood in college) and everything written about him.

[Hal Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innovative way to portray capote with interview quotes from his friends and social acquaintances

[Gingerholli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t get enough of Truman Capote.

[FicusFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very gripping. It was a page turner. It was an oral biography. Various people talked about Capote, from his childhood in Alabama to his death in California. Some people were obviously self-serving, or trying to bury a hatchet, or out to lunch, but it was still interesting, because they said as much about themselves as they did about Capote. It also let you see what type of people he was surrounded by.

It provided information and context about Capote, without being too heavy or detail oriented. It gave you emotional as well as factual information, and opinion. Sometimes you could see the same event described by multiple people.

I have been interested in Capote since seeing the fabulous movie, Infamous, which this book was the basis for. I wanted enough information about him to read his his stories and books about him, and understand the nuances, but I didn't want to get bogged down in the detail. This book was perfect for that.

The anecdotes were arranged in chronological order so they seemed to tell the story of his life. They talked about his early writing successes, his involvement with the Kansas situation, the black and white ball, his flitting with the jet-set, his fall from grace with them when he published their gossip, his dabbling with Broadway and
Hollywood, his lack of writing, his boozing and drugging, and his death.

The only lack seemed to me was the lack of explanation about his relationship with Jack Dunphy. Truman seemed to be alone, but he was also with his lover Jack Dunphy. Jack would be there but not around, and the book never explained why ? Also why Jack never seemed to try to save him.

[William P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been twenty years since I read this book, but I still remember it as a terrifically interesting addition to the then-current and growing number of books on or about Capote. Plimpton catches the impressive breadth of Capote's professional and social world, from detectives and housewives from Kansas, to uber-rich jet-set heiresses and industrialists's wives, to other world-known writers. The naivete of so many otherwise shrewd and powerful people in allowing him into their lives was positively quaint; in the days of telegrams and hand-written letters, it was possible even for celebrities to fly under the radar when they wanted to. That world is long gone. A few of the best parts of the book were the presentiments a few had of Capote's treachery as a friend and confidant-- they kept their distance from the start or pulled out before it was too late. No less striking was Capote's instant disposabiliy as a mere ornament when he betrayed their confidences and they cut him dead. Norman Mailer was on point regarding the perishable nature of a writer's material, and how Capote's material and mastery simply dried up. The novelist Marguerite Young was penetrating regarding Capote's strengths (and mostly) fatal shortcomings as a writer-- but then, who can name one thing she wrote?

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book attracted me as much for Plimpton as for Capote; I've always liked the Paper Lion's style. And what he does here is epic and fascinating, letting the pattern show itself: that Capote made each of his friends feel like s/he was his only friend, his only TRUE friend, the only one special enough (Milton's "fit reader though few" comes to mind) to really be suitable company for so discriminating a sensibility as Capote's.

What a frightening creature. Like a Siren, seducing sailors onto the rocks. Was his art great enough to redeem his epic perfidy? Or was it all downhill after Other Voices, Other Rooms? Oh wait--I'm forgetting In Cold Blood, his work I know best. He sowed the seed of creative nonfiction, there. But I don't see him on high school or college syllabi whereas, nearly 50 years after its first appearance, To Kill a Mockingbird has been read by middleschoolers and highschoolers and college students (and me) since 1960 and continues to support Harper Lee well into her 80s. TC was a nasty little man who wrote some beautiful but little books--except for In Cold Blood, a monster.

[J.C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember how this book ended up in my apartment. I think I pulled it out of the free book box at work. I like Truman Capote's writing, especially "In Cold Blood", his short stories and some of his short non-fiction. I can't really say I have much interest in reading literary biographies (this was my first and probably only dive into the genre). I didn't really like this book very much, I only read about 200 pages of it (reading some parts, skimming others, skipping most). The most interesting stuff I found to be the pages focused on the crafting of "In Cold Blood" but most of the other stuff wasn't very interesting (I could care less about the feelings of all the rich folks he upset with his "Answered Prayers" book). If you are interested in New York "cafe society", read it. If you like a good gossip book, read it (Capote was the king of gossip). If you like books about friends and contemporaries and haters sharing there most memorable stories about someone famous, read it. If none of these things appeal to you, skip it.

[₵oincidental Ðandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...the reader is treated to information delivered firsthand, as if one had happened in on a large gathering, perhaps a cocktail party of Truman Capote's acquaintances," Mr. Plimpton, in his 'Note to the Reader,' offers by way of introduction (and explanation) at the beginning of this (oral) biography. "With a glass in hand (probably a vodka) our reader moves from group to group and listens in on personal reminiscences, opinion, vitriol, and anecdot." True enough & as a result it is as insightful as it is entertaining; with such an anecdotal biography, Capote's complex character & personality are 'fleshed out' (along with a few theories about the root-cause of some of his sometimes bewildering reasoning & behaviour) & are viewed in the round, as it were, via the various people being quoted (not all of whom had the most flattering things to relate, as is to be expected; spearheading this group, Gore Vidal, as also to be expected, delivers some of the wittiest anecdotes, observations & caustic quotes). It really is a delightful read.

[Leilani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even after reading this biography, I still come away thinking Truman Capote was way larger than life.

Actual content of the biography aside, I thought the way it was written was interesting. George Plimpton collected little anecdotes from the various people in Capote's life and put them in together according to theme or period of time. It was a little confusing for me because I didn't know some of these people and their relationship to Capote, but I liked how it would give various angles to the same person. For instance, one person said that Truman Capote was her best friend and he knew all her little secrets, etc, but the next person says "I didn't like him. He tries to get all your secrets out of you by pretending to be your best friend and uses it to get attention from other people."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read about Truman Capote before so I didn't find anything massively startling in this book. I don't really understand why Jack Dunphy was so prominent in his life, then sort of disappeared for the 60s and 70s, only to reappear when TC was ill and passed away. As for the 'Answered Prayers' scandal, I'd read the biography of the Cushing sisters (about Babe Paley and her sisters) and understood her perspective on it, it was difficult to be sympathetic to TC knowing that.

It's a terrific book, though. I love bios written in this style. They're easy to read and I find it entertaining to read the different views on the same occasion, esp how some people thought the Black and White Ball was the best party EVER!! and others thought it was a bore.

[Tracy O · Rating 2 out of 5]

First let me say that I'm a pretty hard core fan of Capotes (not so much In Cold Blood, but his short stories - which I normally hate - and, his collected magazine pieces). Don't read this if you're not really into him. Even as a fan I was somewhat bored, and just plain SADDENED by his life. That being said, when I read about his last moments it made the theme of his life (grieving over the loss of a mother & the search for a new one - I know, pretty darn obvious) clear and it helped to explain the characters in his stories. This book is a tragedy with no real arc (or, not enough of one - his "high" point was almost the saddest part for me).

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scene Joan Carson recalls of Truman's passing in her home and her dog, Cinnamon's loyal reaction made me cry. Beautiful, fascinating and sad book. A wonderful compilation of individuals, a time of eloquent & decadence past. Highly recommend this book. I read it along side Music for Chameleons. Having read Other Voices, Other Rooms; Breakfast at Tiffany's & In Cold Blood beforehand. I also recommend reading as much of Capote's work as you can before diving into this or much of it will be lost on you. I love Plimpton's style of presenting a life. I felt as though I was being spoken to by each person. Check out his book on Edie Sedgwick as well!!

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am still slowing working my way through this book, which surprises me. I do plan on finishing this book but it is not good as Gerald Clarke’s autobiography of Truman Capote, which makes my top ten list of books I love. While I have discovered some new and interesting things about Capote, I find this book to more negative than I thought it would be. Yes, Truman made a lot of enemies in his lifetime, however there are parts of this book where it seems like the only enjoyment certain people can get is by spitting on Capotes grave.

[Joshua Weichhand · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to entertainment, Plimpton's amalgam of communal recollections are to biographies as well-produced documentaries are to Charlie Rose's interviews -- it's maybe not as interesting as it is entertaining, not unlike watching the movie. At the same time, when it comes to the actual facts, there's something refreshing about hearing about one's life through the filter of their counterparts -- especially when dealing with someone as exaggerated as Capote.

Overall, a thoroughly engrossing book.

[epstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Instead of the insight, snark, gossip and personal depth I thought I would get, this book was just a long, repetitive glossing over of his life & work by the people who knew him. Maybe it's not theirs or Plimpton's fault, maybe absolutely no one knew what made Capote tick (and eventually explode like a time bomb) but this felt extremely superficial and frustrating--like trying to scuba dive with a snorkel.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an utterly fascinating look into the circus that was Truman Capote. It follows his entire lifetime and kept me completely entertained throughout. I came away with a list of at least 10 of his contemporaries that I'd love to read more about, including the author of this compilation, George Plimpton. To me, that is what good non fiction should do; inform you about one subject while sparking your interest in others. I would highly recommend this book.

[Janis Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most perfect form biography of a person I have ever read. Most biographies are written from the perspective of one person relying on primary sources and interviews with those in the circle. This book was written in a different form. I gained more knowledge of Capote reading this book than any other biography. I will not say more but I urge people who are interested in Capote to read this book. It was perfect