"In Cold Blood"-Truman Capote

[Nickster]

Ok, curious if this is common knowledge or not. My wife and I are having a discussion about this book in general and Truman Capote in particular and I'm curious if anyone can shed some light on our discussion.

From what I've seen and read, he appears to be very fond of Perry Smith. Truman's critics say that he wrote about Perry as if he was really writing about himself rather than the real Perry Smith. I've read some other speculation that Truman had a sexual relationship with Perry. I think the sexual relationship theory was spun out of the culture shock that the people in that Kansas town had with someone like Truman, rather than any fact. I also think that Truman may have pushed that idea along because it was simply more interesting, the star-crossed lover angle.

So can anyone shed any further light on the Truman and Perry Smith relationship?

[maddezmom]

1. I can't but I just finished watching "Infamous" on HBO

Not sure of the sexual aspect, but they movie portrayed a deep love or understanding of Perry. I wish I was paying more attention as I was multi-tasking while it was on.

[Nickster]

2. That's what prompted our discussion actually. I was surprised at the suggestion that they were

lovers in the movie and we started discussing whether that was actually true. I always thought it was just gossip.

[murielm99]

3. I have read those same rumors.

Whether or not they are true, I think that Capote recognized something that he did not dare write about openly in the book, given the times.

Smith was probably gay and Capote knew it. Hickock and Smith probably had a sexual relationship while they were in prison, but it ended when they were released. Smith may have remained smitten with Hickock, and somewhat jealous. That had a lot to do with their dynamic as friends, and as partners in crime.

I have heard some gay people refer to this as a dishonest book because it does not fully explore the relationship between Hickock and Smith.

Of course that does not shed any light on anything. But if you reread the book taking into account some of those more recent theories, it may make you look at the story differently.

[Nickster]

4. Interesting take, one I hadn't really fully considered. Thanks for sharing.

[DURHAM D]

5. I grew up in Kansas.

One day after the murders in 1959 my father installed locks on our doors for the first time. It was a first for most families. My grandfather was friends with Mr. Clutter but did not know him well. I was still an adolescent at the time and you can not imagine the fear that swept like wild fire through western and central Kansas.

As for the love thing - when I was in college I met a woman in (1964) from Garden City who apparently help with some typing and research for Truman's articles/book. The whole region was upset about Truman being in the area - they were afraid for the children. I don't know how much of the thinking was uber-homophobia and how much the attitude was based on the fact that they considered him to be an opportunist who was planning to portray Kansas as backward.

Anyway, my friend stated that Truman and Perry were involved. She liked Truman. However, she was likely one of just a few. Actually, he is still disliked today - mention his name and you won't get a good response from anyone over 55.

[mitchum]

6. Capote allegedly felt a connection with Smith because they were both freaks...

with a sense of aesthetics.
There is no evidence that they ever had a sexual relationship (or that Smith was homosexual)
The ironic thing is that Dick Hickock did hustle men when they were in Mexico and during their travels in the US

[Jim__]

7. When they were living in Mexico, didn't Hickock have a live-in girlfriend?

It's been a while since I read the book, but I seem to remember that.

[raccoon]

8. I just wish Capote had written more about the backgrounds of the killers.

He wrote a little, but not very much.

If you haven't seen the movie CAPOTE, you ought to see it.