Mark Jennings Jennings 1 Carroll29 March 1999In Cold Blood Novel to Movie ComparisonThe book, In Cold Blood, is a nonfiction story by Truman Capote. This book presents one of the worst murders in history. It was a best seller worldwide, and turned into a successful movie. As usual the movie does not stand up to the book. If you want more knowledge of the townspeople, victims and more insight into the trial, more background details of the murders, you should read the book. If you are interested in history and a good murder mystery all in the confines of a book cover, read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.While reading the book In Cold Blood you are introduced to the Clutter family one by one. You learn that Herb Clutter is the head of the house. He is well liked and respected by the townspeople. Mr. Clutter was a prosperous farmer. As the reader, you learn that Bonnie Clutter, Herb Clutters, wife is a recluse due to fainting spells. This caused her to stay close to home, inside a lot. Nancy is the daughter of Herb and Bonnie, and she is popular with her peers and liked throughout the town. The last of the Clutter family to be introduced to us is Kenyon, the son of Herb and Bonnie and Nancys brother. These are the victims of the awful murders. You get to know them all. In the movie they are humanized, but in the book you get to know them better.The movie shows us a very disturbed Perry Smith and a cunning, want to get rich quick, Dick Hickock. While the book details Perrys life in the juvenile detention center, his life in the convent, and the closeness heJennings 2shared with his sister Barbara. The movie closely mirrored this, and you see great detail of Perry Smiths childhood.Mr. Capote sets the stage and the fill of the town nicely, by describing in detail the drive into town. He sets the mood of the town and you soon feel like you are right at home. The viewer does ...
