05.07.09
Breakfast With Capote
“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music that words make.”
This cherished passage is the closest I ever got to reading Truman Capote. This summer, I decided to dip my toes and test the author’s waters. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was my first choice. With the glamorous Audrey Hepburn and Moon River in mind, it was supposed to be a pleasant and romantic story, or so I thought.
As the characters and colours revealed themselves, I was rather taken aback with Holly Golightly’s immodest fashions. She might have been charming in her own way but the novella did not appeal to me at all. It is a story with a dangling ending about a girl who set off to look for herself, and leaving the reader to hope that somehow she would…and unlike what I have heard about the movie, they do not kiss in the end.
This book includes additional stories by Capote: House of Flowers, A Diamond Guitar, and A Christmas Memory. Norman Mailer and many great writers have lauded Breakfast at Tiffany’s but I appreciated Capote better in the latter stories. I suspect that this was where he divulged his inner sadness and loneliness. This is where I discovered faint strains of music. He is truly a colourful author, but his colours are usually of a dark shade with an almost garish surprise here and there. But that’s just me.
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Answered Prayers, Capote’s unfinished novel was next on my list. I’m afraid however, that it will also remain unfinished. I found it too obscene for my taste.
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To Read or Not to Read
A thought has been badgering me ever since Gabi asked me whether I would read Lolita or not. From what I gather, it is immoral. Period. But then, is not murder, adultery, or fornication, immoral too? Why does our conscience tell us that it is not appropriate to read about some sins but alright to read of other sinful acts?
Please share your thoughts.
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sopraninigabi said,
May 7, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hi Meewa! In truth I am plagued by this dilemma as well. What books are alright to read, and what aren’t? If only they came with MTRCB-like ratings on the cover, tee hee! :)
I suppose it differs from person to person… that what could be beneficial for you might prove detrimental for me.
A common friend of ours had a very good point when he said that, with millions of books out there, we CAN pick and choose which ones we’ll invest money and time to read.
Hehe. There’s my two cents worth. (Or should I say, “centavos?”)
kuwidaw said,
May 7, 2009 at 1:17 pm
“answered prayers cause more tears than those that remain unanswered.” :(
and after “In Cold Blood,” he never come up with a finished book. Watch the film “Capote” too :)
balowen said,
May 9, 2009 at 9:25 am
I couldn’t concoct the precise maxim in my mind, i read it long time ago.. but it’s almost stated as this.. People are characterized by the books they read. That’s why im trying hard to change my taste of books now. :)
don’t worry Ms. mewa, not from bad to worst.. lol!
Miracle ♪♫ said,
May 10, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hi to you too, Gabi! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. They are always very welcome. =)
Yes, it would be much easier to have “ratings” on book covers… (even though we know that a “banned” book would only pique the interest of many). =P
“…what could be beneficial for you might prove detrimental for me…”
I agree with this, but only at some point, I’m afraid. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it make God’s standards uncertain? Do feel free to explain further if you think I misunderstand your point, Gabi.
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Hi Jona. Thanks for coming by and for the movie recommendation. I’ll add that to my growing list of movies unwatched. hehe =)
“…answered prayers cause more tears than those that remain unanswered.”
Pertaining this quote, the sad face you added struck me. Although I haven’t read the whole context of this passage, I always thought this to be a positive quote… thinking that the tears caused by the answered prayers are tears of joy or gratefulness. May I know what you think about this?
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Hey there, Owen. =)
People can indeed be judged by the books they read… aside from the times when one is exploring uncharted literary territories without knowing what the book is really about until he/she encounters them inside the pages.