The Buddha Reads book club recently explored Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood,” a pioneering work in the true crime genre. This non-fiction novel details the chilling 1959 murders of the Clutter family in the small farming town of Holcomb, Kansas, and delves into the lives of the victims, the investigation, and the eventual capture, trial, and execution of the killers, Richard “Dick” Hickock and Perry Smith.
The narrative opens with a vivid portrayal of the Clutter family: Herb Clutter, a respected farmer; his wife Bonnie; and their teenage children, Nancy and Kenyon. Their serene existence is violently disrupted when Hickock and Smith, recently released from prison, break into their home in search of a rumored safe. Finding nothing of value, the intruders decide to murder the family to eliminate witnesses.
In a recent Zoom meeting, club members Bob, Joan, Gary, and Danny discussed their perspectives on this seminal work. Joan, who had never read the book before, found it deeply engaging. Bob and Danny, having read it previously, appreciated discovering new insights during their second read. Bob questioned Capote’s motives for writing the book, noting that Capote began working on it shortly after the murders, initially as a series for “The New Yorker.” Bob also critiqued the book’s lengthy side stories as somewhat distracting. Gary, a true crime aficionado, sought additional context online and observed that Capote’s portrayal of the murderers was somewhat sympathetic, particularly towards Smith.
Overall, the group found “In Cold Blood” a compelling read and recommended it to others.
Looking ahead, the Buddha Reads book club will discuss Julie Otsuka’s “The Buddha in the Attic,” a short novel, on Sunday, August 25th. Upcoming selections include Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha” and David Guterson’s “Snow Falling on Cedars.” All members and interested readers are encouraged to join the discussions and share their thoughts.