In Cold Blood is a chilling and riveting tale of a true Kansas murder. A kind and prosperous American family is brutally slain. The killing lacked an obvious motive. The brutal murder and outcome is reconstucted through Capote's skillful characterization of the murderers.

Truman Capote was born on September 30, 1924, in New Orleans. He grew up near Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, and was represented by the character of Dill Harris in her novel. They would remain friends throughout their lives. Capote finished high school but never attended college. He got his first job at the New Yorker wich would later publish his writings. He published his first book in 1948. He had moderate success until he published In Cold Blood which earned him a great deal of fame and money. Around this time he started to crack under stress and pressure. He also faced criticism because he was openly gay in a time where it was extremely inappropriate. He became addicted to tranquilizers and used cocaine. He died in 1984 from liver disease complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication. Although troubled, Capote's literary force won him the O. Henry Memorial Short Story Prize twice.

On November 15, 1959, the Clutter family was murdered in their farmhouse in Holcomb, Kansas. Capote's creation of the nonfiction novel left America spellbound and mesmerized by the brutality and the humanity of the killers. The startling portraits of the killers stand out in literature. You can find out more about Truman Capote at: http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/capote.htm More about the book at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Cold_Blood_%28book%29

1. What trait of the Clutter family is so overwhelming?

2. How does Nancy's mother affect the family?

3. What does Clutter live for? What are his traits?

4. How do you feel about Nancy?

5. What do you notice about Capote's descriptions?

6. What happens to the town after the murders?

7. Who is affected? How?

8. Do you like Perry?

9. Compare and contrast Perry and Dick.

10. Do you feel sorry for Perry? Dick?

Breakfast at Tiffany's

A Christmas Memory

The Oscar-nominated movie Capote is wonderful to view after reading the novel