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“Truman Capote, an Interview,” by Cathleen Medwick, first appeared in December 1979’s Vogue.
Truman Capote has always had a flair for making a grand entrance. His debut novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, released in 1948, was nothing short of a sensation. The impact was not solely due to his lush and evocative prose, but also because the book showcased a striking photograph of the young author himself: a delicate, pale figure reclining with a gaze that was equal parts inviting and dangerous. At just twenty-three, Capote was a New Orleans native who arrived in New York City and seduced it with an artful charm. Like an astute fisherman identifying a rare catch, he cleverly presented himself as the irresistible bait, waiting patiently for fame to bite. That talent was his true lure, allowing him to stand among the elite Southern writers, including Porter, Welty, and McCullers, and to maintain his status as one of America’s great literary figures for over three decades.
Throughout the years, we have witnessed various iterations of Capote. He has transformed into different personas, each one uniquely captivating. There was the stylish Capote in a pinstripe suit, leading a glamorous Marilyn Monroe in a dance at El Morocco in 1954. In 1966, he was the jubilant host in a masked black-tie ensemble, welcoming Katharine Graham to a lavish ball, thrown to secure an invitation to another, ‘more enjoyable’ party. By 1972, Capote appeared in a more disheveled state, being searched at San Quentin while interviewing murderers, years after his groundbreaking masterpiece, In Cold Blood, solidified his reputation in American literature. Later, an amusing portrayal of Capote emerged in the 1976 film Murder by Death, before a more somber version surfaced, revealing his struggles with addiction during a vulnerable moment on the Stanley Siegel talk show.
The media tirelessly chronicled these varied facets of Capote’s life, yet behind the ever-changing images was a continuous thread of literary success. Each new phase brought a fresh work that captivated audiences and proved that Capote was much more than a celebrity figure or the focus of gossip. His writing, like his public persona, underwent remarkable transformations. The deeply affecting prose of The Grass Harp and his earlier stories paved the way for an innovative style of journalism that blurred the lines between reality and fiction. In Cold Blood stands as a vivid testament to this talent—its gripping narrative and shocking revelations were impossible to overlook. As the complexities of Capote’s life began to resemble a modern-day fable, and as he found himself embroiled in feuds with notable personalities, his literary appeal only intensified. Even now, years after the announcement of Answered Prayers, eager readers remain excited in anticipation of its release. Capote’s fame, often accompanied by scandal, continues to capture the public’s imagination, revealing the duality of his existence: both a charming trickster and a profound artist.
Source
www.vogue.com