Too Brief a Treat: The Letters of Truman Capote (Vintage International)

It’s a great insight into the man. I recommend it for all fans of his

I don't know if this is the greatest collection of letter written by him in terms of content...BUT just knowing how his mind works is plenty. Plus the attention to detail that he gave his friends, and his terms of endearment , are enough for me. Not a perfect human being c/o alcoholism and gossip. But a great American mind who could have the greatest tact and charm under pressure. I say get it and add to your collect...take it out once in a while when you have the "mean reds". We were lucky to have him.

I've been a fan of Truman Capote since I first discovered him in college when I read George Plimpton's book about him. Being from the South, I had an immediate connection with Truman as a Southern Literary great. Over the years, I have read and reread his work. I have never read Clark's biography of Capote but I intend to some day. Too Brief a Treat is indeed that - a nice treat for anyone who is a fan. It is a collection of letters dating all the way back to when Truman was a child and wrote a letter to his father telling him his name was now Capote and that he should be addressed as such. The book is divided into 3 sections. If you are familiar with Truman, then you will understand my reference in saying that the three sections are pre-Kansas, Kansas, and post-Kansas. In the first section, we see Truman working on pieces for magazines, various essays, his first book, Breakfast at Tiffany's, plays, and screenplays. He writes from Yaddo, and eventually after meeting Jack Dunphy most of his letters are written from overseas. There's lots of gossip, famous name dropping, mention of other authors, feuds and travel. Truman writes to friends and colleagues and his letters are always cheerful and full of love (often signed with what I used as the title of my review). The largest section is composed almost entirely of letters written while Truman was working on In Cold Blood. Here, we see Truman growing older and anxiously waiting five years for Smith and Hickock (who committed the Clutter murders) to be executed so that he can write the end of his book. It's obvious from his tone how much this project absorbed him. He writes countless letters to the Dewey family, who befriended him in Kansas and helped him with research. He even gives their son writing advice. Not one single letter to Harper Lee though throughout this time which I found sad. He also writes to Perry Smith in prison, and his tone to Smith is much different than when he mentions him in letters to others! Finally, the last section where the letters get smaller (thanks in part to the telephone). Truman writes of his rehab problems, a car accident, and several literary feuds he had with other writers and their lawyers. We find Truman in the states more often and spending less time with Jack. There are quite a few letters to Jack in the last section. A sad cable to Jack closes the book in the early 80s. Truman died in 1984. Being one sided, and we as a reader are eavesdropping, it takes a lot of patience to keep reading. I was never bored though, never skipped around. It definitely gave me better insight to this man who I have admired for so long, and made me want to pick up his short stories and reread them. There are wonderful and numerous footnotes throughout; Clark does a great job of explaining who is who or what is happening. For anyone who is a fan of TC or just a fan of letters anyway, I highly recommend this book!

Everyone should own a copy of this for your quirky dinner guests along It's great fun to take turns reading his letters aloud. They're so overflowing with complex relationships and magnificent letter writing.

The book was all expected and I enjoyed reading it.If you are a Capote fan check it out.

Truman Capote is one of my all time favorite writers so I was surprised that his letters are somewhat of a disappointment. The letters span 46 years with the majority of them from the late 40s and 50s. It's too bad that there are only a handful of correspondence from Capote's celebrated period following the release of "In Cold Blood," a book which turned him into a celebrity. I suppose he was too busy with his success and celebrity to write letters during this period. There is nothing about his famous Black and White Ball or the infamous article which scandalized the jet set. Hardly anything is here from the 70s either, a period in which he was practically a household name, appearing in movies and talk shows. What is included are letters to his editors, Robert Linscott and Bennett Cerf, discussing his work and responding to criticism. Many letters to his lovers also are included but Capote seemed to have been very discreet (unlike in public life). Letters to David Selznick and Jennifer Jones give us a glimpse into the years of Hollywood life but very little juicy gossip - they leave the reader wanting more. During the years of Capote's research for "In Cold Blood," he corresponded frequently with Alvin Dewey, the detective in charge of the case, and his wife Marie. These letters are mainly questions from Capote concerning details of the case and Capote providing the Deweys with access to his Hollywood friends. Letters to the Dewey's son, Alvin Jr., show remarkable affection and advice and criticism to an aspiring writer. Capote was a wanderer and his letters were written from his various residences across the globe - Sicily, Spain, Paris, Switzerland, Venice, California, New York, Alabama, etc. Jack Dunphy, his longtime companion is often mentioned with love and affection. Cecil Beaton and Christopher Isherwood were also frequent correspondents, but again, very little gossip. The letters do show that Capote was obviously a very compassionate man and despite his biting wit and bitchy persona, they reveal a warm and caring man.

When you read personal correspondence written to friends, lovers, and business associates . . . well, it doesn't get any better! Candid, un-censored, witty, funny, revealing, cutting . . . it's all there! A great look at the true Truman Capote. Very interesting.

Very interesting. I haven't finished it yet.

A pleasure for those who love Truman Capote and his work. Great insight into the man, his friendships and his writing process.