Truman Capote, In Cold Blood

John Dolis (Penn State University)
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Having published numerous works, including several short stories, works for stage and screen, and such novels as

Other Voices, Other Rooms

(1948) and

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

(1958), Truman Capote (1924-1984) had already established a reputation as a notable writer of fiction when, on 16 November 1959, he perused a story in

The New York Times

(“Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family Slain”): “A wealthy wheat farmer, his wife and their two young children were found shot to death today in their home. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range after being bound and gagged.” Capote had expressed a certain dissatisfaction with fiction writing for some time, hoping to compose what he termed a “nonfiction novel” of epic scope. The opportunity had now arrived. He packed his bags and,…

2299 words

Citation: Dolis, John. "In Cold Blood". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 January 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4516, accessed 03 October 2024.]

4516 In Cold Blood 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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