Truman Capote: a hundred years of mysteries

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To mark the centenary of Truman Capote’s birth, new works explore the secrets and shadows of an extraordinary writer. Chic and mysterious, we love rereading Truman Capote.

Abandoned by his mother at the age of five, Truman Capote grew up under the care of his aunts in New Orleans. He began writing at the age of ten and published his first short story, Miriam, when he was only twenty. In 1948, he made a name for himself with his first novel, The Haunted Estates. International success came with Petit Déjeuner chez Tiffany, a touching, biting portrait of a young woman on the margins of society.

Capote then switches gears and spends six years writing De sang-froid, a meticulous investigation based on a bloody crime story, considered the manifesto of the “non-fiction novel”. This masterpiece confirms his status as an American literary prodigy.

However, at the height of his fame, Capote became as famous for his excesses and acerbic criticism as for his writing. An alcoholic and a socialite, he shocked the world with Prayers Answered, an unfinished novel that paints a crude portrait of the elites he rubbed shoulders with, provoking a scandal even before its publication. He died at the age of sixty, swept away by a life marked by excess.

A legend shaped by myth and reality

Truman Capote, an iconic author of the 20th century, left his mark on world literature with works such as In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Yet his private life still intrigues. Yet his private life continues to intrigue. The book The Ghost of Truman Capote by Leila Guerriero(Éditions Rivages) attempts to explain this mystery. The Argentinian author travels to Palamós, Spain, where Capote is said to have completed his masterpiece. But she soon discovers that this legend is based on inaccuracies. As she points out: “Of the ghost I went looking for, there was hardly a trace left.”

Arte’s documentary 6 morts dans la nuit sheds light on Capote’s complexity. The film reveals a tortured man, haunted by his past and the consequences of his writing. Although acclaimed for In Cold Blood, Truman Capote confided to Gerald Clarke: “This novel killed me.” This work, a blend of journalism and fiction, marked a decisive and destructive turning point in both his career and his life.

A sharp vision of the world

The Disney+ series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans reveals a different perspective. It focuses on the author’s relationships with influential women, whom he never hesitated to criticize openly. This portrait reveals a complex author, both victim and executioner, whose intimate stories continue to fascinate to this day.

To complete the picture, Quatre meurtres et un bal en noir et blanc(Éditions Rivages) brings together letters and a landmark interview from 1966. It reveals a man deeply affected by the weight of his celebrity and the repercussions of his work.

These new publications and adaptations highlight the richness and contradictions of an unforgettable author. They remind us that behind every masterpiece lies a dark side.