In Cold Blood/Truman Capote

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03-12-2008, 07:56 PM
kichu

In Cold Blood/Truman Capote

Anyone here an expert on this book and/or person? More to the point, any thoughts on the claim that he invented the genre of non-fiction?

I was just having a discussion with a friend and then did some research online and found mixed results.

Any info/opinions/input/reliable links would be great.

Thanks.
03-12-2008, 09:31 PM
wasup

I read the book in my class, it was not bad. Not my type of book, though.

And whoever said he "invented the genre of non-fiction" probably does not understand what non-fiction means. Because that is ridiculous.
03-12-2008, 09:47 PM
kichu

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasup

I read the book in my class, it was not bad. Not my type of book, though.

And whoever said he "invented the genre of non-fiction" probably does not understand what non-fiction means. Because that is ridiculous.

Sorry, the "non-fiction novel" is what I meant.
03-12-2008, 10:19 PM
wasup

Oh :P

Well, I think he popularized it and made it more accessible to the public, but definitly didn't invent it.
03-12-2008, 10:31 PM
kichu

Apparently "In Cold Blood" is the invention of the genre.
03-12-2008, 10:38 PM
wasup

Oh, well that's wrong because they had been written before in cold blood.
03-13-2008, 07:00 PM
kichu

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasup

Oh, well that's wrong because they had been written before in cold blood.

Well, that's what I'm looking for, examples. It's so off and ridiculous to me, but I don't know what to reference to prove that.

It doesn't seem like many people know though. Or aren't interested (judging by the responses to this thread!)

Thanks wasup. :)
03-13-2008, 07:35 PM
Oneironaut Zero

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novel

In Cold Blood wasn't bublished until 1966. I'd say "First Non-fiction novel" is a pretty bold claim.
Dunno for sure, though.

[Edit: Hmm, but according to this one it is.]
03-13-2008, 07:42 PM
kichu

Yeah, I read all that. It seems ridiculous to me. I did a little more searching and found stuff that seems to contradict that info. Who knows with the internet? I need to go speak to a writer or a lit professor or something.
03-14-2008, 04:00 AM
wasup

I would just search "non fiction novels" and check their dates. I mean, they have undoubtedly been written, but it is likely that in cold blood was the first major, very popular one? I don't know if it counts as a novel (I would say it does), but how about the Diary of Anne Frank? That's just off the top of my head.