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samdalefox 's review for:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
by Truman Capote
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly (travelling) is often quoted as the original vintage 'Manic Pixie Dream Girl'. Definition: She "exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures". I do believe this is largely true, Holly's exuberent and playful life definitely balances out the male writer/narrator's lacklustre attitude. However, the novella does take efforts to show that Holly does have layers, she is a person rather than a sexualised plaything despite others (especially men) not seeing that in her. For example, she has survived abuse, she is courageous enough to do what she wants to do, not others,' she admits that she has no close friends, and she realises too late that her closest bond is with her adopted cat, she is looking for a place where she feels safe and at home e.g. how Tiffany's makes her feel.
It's fun reading about Holly's life, but also sad. There were many moments where I empathised with her, unfortunately having used some of her tactics myself. I have not seen the film, but I gather the book is slightly different. Despite having some dated terms/ideas, I would still recommend reading the book.
House of Flowers
I enjoyed this short story just as much. Themes of friendship and family, different types of love, subtle explroation of matriachy, revenge, folk lore, and difficult decisions.
A Diamond Guitar
A bittersweet short story. I was invested in Mr Schaeffer as a character and found the description of how he lived harmoniously in the prison farm insightful and quite devastating. When Tico Feo played his guitar and momentarily brightened up the lives of the prisoners, but then "They did not notice that afterwards there was a deeper sadness than there had ever been" because they were reminded of the beauty and joy they had become accustomed to without.
A Christmas Memory
Perhaps the most sad of the collection, a beautful story of a friendship across generations and the simple pleasures they have whilst experiencing severe poverty. The memory concentrates of the tradition of the characters making annual Christmas cakes for friends and strangers/people they admire. I was surprised by how much this story touched me.
Giving the collection an overall rating of 3.75
Holly Golightly (travelling) is often quoted as the original vintage 'Manic Pixie Dream Girl'. Definition: She "exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures". I do believe this is largely true, Holly's exuberent and playful life definitely balances out the male writer/narrator's lacklustre attitude. However, the novella does take efforts to show that Holly does have layers, she is a person rather than a sexualised plaything despite others (especially men) not seeing that in her. For example, she has survived abuse, she is courageous enough to do what she wants to do, not others,' she admits that she has no close friends, and she realises too late that her closest bond is with her adopted cat, she is looking for a place where she feels safe and at home e.g. how Tiffany's makes her feel.
It's fun reading about Holly's life, but also sad. There were many moments where I empathised with her, unfortunately having used some of her tactics myself. I have not seen the film, but I gather the book is slightly different. Despite having some dated terms/ideas, I would still recommend reading the book.
House of Flowers
I enjoyed this short story just as much. Themes of friendship and family, different types of love, subtle explroation of matriachy, revenge, folk lore, and difficult decisions.
A Diamond Guitar
A bittersweet short story. I was invested in Mr Schaeffer as a character and found the description of how he lived harmoniously in the prison farm insightful and quite devastating. When Tico Feo played his guitar and momentarily brightened up the lives of the prisoners, but then "They did not notice that afterwards there was a deeper sadness than there had ever been" because they were reminded of the beauty and joy they had become accustomed to without.
A Christmas Memory
Perhaps the most sad of the collection, a beautful story of a friendship across generations and the simple pleasures they have whilst experiencing severe poverty. The memory concentrates of the tradition of the characters making annual Christmas cakes for friends and strangers/people they admire. I was surprised by how much this story touched me.
Giving the collection an overall rating of 3.75