The content of this reader is of varying quality. I loved the novella "A Grass Harp". Some of the portrait, especially of Marilyn Monroe. This is countered by his early short stories and the short non-fiction story "The Muses are Heard", which bore me, to be honest. The greatest work in this collection is, in my opinion, "Handcarved Coffins". It recounts bizar murders and it's even more bizar aftermath in a small American town. Truman Capote tells the story in a truly gripping way. I can still hardly believe that "Handcarved Coffins" is a non-fictional work. ( )

If you can get past his persona and behavior, Truman Capote writes with lucid wit and extraordinary grace. There isn't a story in this large book that wasn't a joy to read, even if it is just because of his writing style. I probably would enjoy a compilation of shopping lists written by Capote. ( )