Customer Reviews

Breakfast at Tiffany's

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

i had to write my review for the hardcover. this is a great book. i am a bibliophile with approaching 3000 books. this would be in my top 10. gotta love this book. the movie is great too/

We've all seen the movie, but very few of us have read the book. I finally read it, and, boy, am I glad I did. It is so good. People always say that the book is better than the movie--no matter what the book or movie is. I generally say that they are two different mediums and cannot be compared: apples and oranges. In the case of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, the two (the book and the movie) are actually very close, but the book will give you insight that the movie won't. Read it. Enjoy it. It's true, Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard are fabulous in the film. But the novel is a masterpiece. Capote writes an exquisite tale about the most endearing characters that I have ever met. Indeed, the novel reveals such a deep complexity in Holly's character, that I stop seeing Hepburn in the title role while reading the book. Instead, a new Holly emerged that is much more than the beautiful party girl that we know and love from the film. Her outward appearance of independence and vivaciousness conceals a deeply confused person with a troubled past that she is determined to defeat. Must also recommend the book KATZENJAMMER by Jackson McCrae (who is greatly influenced by Capote)-this is a hoot!

A young lady's hectic life in New York in the 1940's. A beautiful, unpredictable 19 year-old living life to the fullest, from one party to the next, breaking hearts here & there, in short, quite a tease. A strong character indeed, with a hidden fragility coming from an obscure past, a past that she does not want to share with anyone. Meet Holly Golightly, Travelling. She is here depicted by one of her previous neighbours, a young writer with whom she shared quite a few adventures and a strong bond. Holly doesn't seem to have peace, she is forever on her way out, dazzling, attractive. A young woman of the world, well known by New York socialites and not only. Some of her connections are questionable and will they get her into trouble? That is for you to find out.

I loved the narrative. My first book by Truman Capote, better late than never (I had seen the film but could not remember it) and a real discovery. Simple, elegant, to the point, funny and sad simultaneously, conveying Holly's character in a perfect way. I was expecting a heart-breaking love story but this was not it. It was more than that. Strong, fragile Holly (probably still travelling) is a very likeable personage. The other characters including the narrator, mostly in the background, also find a perfect niche to complement the novel.

It was an interesting choice by the author that she was depicted in an era when most ladies' place was at home. Independent, not caring a bit about being "judged". Looking for love? Looking for "something"? Is that why she is forever running around? Well, as long as she can relax with breakfast at Tiffany's, all is ok.

Read this book, a few delightful pages (it's very short) that will leave you hanging in there for an answer.

While I absolutely adore the general story of Breakfast at Tiffany's, I found it incredibly difficult to stop comparing the book to the movie. And since the film version is my ultimate favorite movie, I was somewhat disappointed in the book. I found that Holly in the book simply lacked the grace, charm and general je ne sais quoi that Audrey Hepburn brought to the character. Capote's writing style is definately different and takes some getting used to, but is also very refreshing in its differences.

This book is too much fun. The success of the book (it is, of course a tremendously successful piece of writing)depends on the central character, Holly Golightly who charms not only the characters in the book but the reader as well. All of the action occurs in New York City, and the setting just enhances the plot (hence the title). The theme centers around parties, relationships and romance in a frivolous, somewhat flighty atmosphere. Capote's capacity for dialogue borders on genius. I suspect his near perfect recall for conversation helped create this character.

Truman Capote is the master of both description and character development. Holly Golightly comes alive in dialogue. This is a breezy read, in the best possible sense of the term. It never bores and brims with poetic description, rich in detail, but never dense or plodding. The three short stories are similar in skill and beauty, but entirely different in tone, location, and plot. I almost cried at the end of A Christmas Memory. The Diamond Guitar reminded me of The Shawshank Redemption in atmosphere, but with an entirely different story.~~You should also read~~~Quest by George_Kostantinos~~~

The well-known short novel, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and three of Truman Capote's most famous short stories make for a continually fresh and exciting look at how human beings successfully connect with one another. No matter how many times you read these stories, you will be moved by Mr. Capote's marvelous sense of and appreciation for the specialness of each life and the ways we belong to each other. Having not read Breakfast at Tiffany's for about 30 years, I came away much more impressed with the novel than I was the last time I read it. Perhaps you will have the same reaction upon rereading it as well. If you are reading it for the first time, you have a very nice surprise ahead of you! Breakfast at Tiffany's revolves around Holly Golightly, the former starlet and cafe society item, who floats lightly through life (like cotton fibers in the wind) looking for where she belongs. Ms. Golightly is and will remain one of the most original and intriguing characters in American fiction. Like a magician, she is both more and less than she seems. But she has an appreciation for people and animals that goes to the core of her soul that will touch you (if you are like me), especially in her desire that they and she be free. The novel has a harder edge and is more revealing about human nature than the movie is. Of the two, I suggest you start with the novel and graduate to the movie. You will appreciate the portrayal by Audrey Hepburn of the inner Holly more that way. The same humor is in both the novel and the movie, as well as the innocent look at life for what it can be, believing in the potential of things to work out for the best. Despite that upbeat note, her weakness is that for all of her ability to understand what motivates other people she does not understand herself well enough to know when she does belong with and to others. This is symbolized by her abandonment of her unnamed cat, and quick realization that they do belong together. As for the friends she leaves behind, she never seems to appreciate how much they love her and want to be with her. As a result, she abandons them as well . . . leaving them with memories to warm their winter nights. Mr. Capote is now realized to have been a more autobiographical writer than was appreciated when he first published his fiction. Your understanding of Breakfast at Tiffany's will grow if you keep in mind that it was modeled in part on his friendship with Marilyn Monroe.

Also recommended: BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and THE COMPLETE SHORT STORIES OF CAPOTE

I think everyone will find something in this Capote masterpiece that they can reflect on their own lives. She is a brilliantly described character that you feel like she lives downstairs from you. Everyone that comes in contact with her, indeed falls in love. Capote and Joe Bell are no different. She realizes this but is so hard to get close too. She is like the cat, set out alone in the world. She didn't even want to be personal with the cat by not naming him, no attachments. I think everyone would like to be carefree like Holly but just can't. Capote loved her but just being around her was like oxygen, he didn't want to push the relationship and not have her around. I could go on and on.......must read! Also recommended: THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD.

I picked up Breakfast at Tiffany's not expecting to enjoy, but not get very into it. After the first page, though, I couldn't put it down. Holly, the main character, is the type of person that you really want to be friends with, yet at the same time you just want to jump inside the book and yell at her. You can't help but fall in love with her even if you don't like her! I absolutely LOVED this book. If you've seen the movie, do no think because you liked or didn't like the movie you'll feel the same way about the book because they are completely different stories. Breakfast at Tiffany's is awesome! I think it might be my favorite book!

So many people didn't understand Capote. He was truly an odd duck, and his books must be taken in context of his life or lack thereof.

Like other authors who try their hand at different genres (think Gore Vidal or John Grisham) their "faithful" readers may be disappointed. Such is the case with Capote. He never repeated himself as far as the types of books he wrote and we should be praising him, not putting him down.

"Other Voice, Other Rooms" was his first book and it is a gentle pastoral elegy to a by-gone time and culture. Gothic? Yes. Unlike any other thing he wrote? Yes.

Then there's "In Cold Blood." A new style--a new type of "faction" book. And "Breakfast at Tiffay's" is yet another genre. Capote was constantly moving about, wrestless not only in living, but writing as well. Read this book for what it is--memory, living in NY, youth, and ultimately, hope. The movie isn't bad either.

Also recommended: Gerald Clarke's bio on Capote, McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood," and Capote's first book, "Other Voices, Other Rooms."