Comments on: Other Voices, Other Rooms – Book Review

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:31:04 +0000

Thanks for the validation, Michael. I really wanted to like this novel – but I didn’t…and I don’t think it is because don’t like a challenge (as Koshka implies!), but because it was (for the most part) nonsensical. Here is my final thought…a great writer needs to write so that a reader can actually understand his point(s). As you said, “a reasonably clear design in order to realize their intent.” In my opinion, Capote failed to do this in THIS book. If his name was not Capote, I am not so sure this novel would have even been published.

By: michael

michael — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:02:52 +0000

While I agrees with koshka that great writers
do have complexed visions, it is clear to the simpliest mind that there is a different intent in the first half of the novel than in the second. Also, great writers recognized that they must have a reasonably clear design in order to realize their intent; they must have some understanding of what they were trying to do, even for themselves. This book overwhelms the reader without giving one the chance to absorb or even speculate intent. You were dead on caribousmom.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:15:35 +0000

Koshka: Thanks for stopping by. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion about this book and I respect your opinion even if I don’t agree with it. I enjoy novels which make me think and I read a lot of literary novels (you can see all my reviews by clicking on the review tab on my blog)…but this one was just bizarre. Many other readers agreed with my review, a few did not (like yourself) – and that is what makes the world go ’round, as they say.

By: Koshka

Koshka — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:04:18 +0000

I believe this is a very well written novel, with its mysterious twists in the plot. I personally enjoyed reading the novel and i don’t think it should be criticized so harshly since it is described through the eyes of a 13-year old. The world of the boy is vague and unclear, there are a lot of unanswered questions. His perception of things is sometimes delusional, but only because he is a confused child himself. Just because the book doesn’t have a black and white plot with a bright ending shining in the end, doesn’t mean it is poorly written under acid.It develops your imagination, if you have a tendency for this sort of action. The reason why Truman Capote is one of the best writers is because his books aren’t old plain cheap novel with defined left and write.If you like Gothic and mysterious, but very clear in the end with no food for mind, you might go for Agata Kristy or just plain Twilight. A lot of good literature is never absolutely clear, because great minds think complex, they make you wonder for some time after finishing the book. Maybe i read this book in an easy way because i was done reading Haruki Mrakami and he has truly wicked novels. I would admire this book only from the rich style it is written in. Writers explore themselves in different styles and Capote proved to be exquisitely delightful in any of them.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:17:39 +0000

Dan: Thanks for stopping by with your comments. I found this book mostly a mystery to me as to what Capote meant to say…like you, this is not a book I enjoyed, nor one I could recommend to other readers.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:54:53 +0000

I read In Cold Blood, and several other of TC’s books, but this one left me confused so I looked for analysis to try and understand what I missed. I agree that it sounds like he was on acid writing this book, but his prose was flawless. I read several times that this was a “coming of age” book, but that didn’t resonate with me. The dialogue seemed to be inspired by David Lynch’s Erasorhead or Mulholland Drive, starting out simple enough to understand, then spinning off into nonsense. When I finished the last page, I re-read it more slowly hoping to better comprehend it’s meaning, to no avail. None of his other books were as obtuse as this one and I wonder how so many people lavished praise on this work allowing him to redeem himself, since his other works were far superior. I’m glad I didn’t read this book first since I would have never picked up another.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:13:04 +0000

Small World: I wish I could be more positive about this particular book – but, that shouldn’t keep you from reading Capote…I’ve read other books by him that I’ve liked quite a bit.

By: SmallWorld Reads

SmallWorld Reads — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:46:53 +0000

I have had this on my TBR list for YEARS because it is the title of one of Nanci Griffith’s albums, and she is holding the book on another one of her album covers. I have read a lot by Capote, but I’ve yet to read this and Breakfast on Tiffany’s. Another that has been on my list for years!

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:19:54 +0000

Tanabata: I think many readers feel the same way (from what I’ve read of the reviews on this one).

By: tanabata

tanabata — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:33:14 +0000

Glad I’m not the only one who thought it started well but really lost focus in the second half. Your review explains perfectly how I felt about it too.