Gentle and cruel, personal and universal — writer/novelist/artist/actor/personality Truman Capote captured the holiday season to a “T”-ruman in his “A Christmas Memory.”
A lifelong bestie of another of my beloved authors, Harper Lee of “To Kill a Mockingbird” renown, Truman grew up queer during times when that wasn’t allowed. Hell, it’s still not allowed, not really despite the two-steps-forward/one-step-back strides that humanity has been making lately.
I happened upon Truman’s “A Christmas Memory” by chance. It’s part of his book, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s: a Short Novel and Three Short Stories,” the whole volume of which is mind-blowing. His print version of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is nothing less than enchanting for how it captures the heartbreaking nuances of love and friendship, particularly between a gay man and a straight woman. (Incidentally, another book I adore along those same lines is “The Object of My Affection,” by Stephen McCauley. That novel as well is much more profound in print than in the film.)
Please don’t judge “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by its movie version. It’s stunning because of Audrey Hepburn, her iconic dress by Hubert de Givenchy in the movie poster above, and so forth — but its racism toward Asians is deplorable. Moreover, it’s nowhere near as deep as the fabulous book. Unfortunately, Truman seems to have actively prostituted his masterpiece novella to Hollywood. Why? Was it due to his tragic and increasingly alcoholic life?
The story in its p.r.i.n.t.e.d. form reminds me of how this whole pandemic situation has upended our holiday season, yet in some ways “righted” them. This year I’m extra thrilled that my dear ones are in good health. I’m happier for the smaller gestures. Living “sheltered-in-place,” I’m reminded that even though we can feel alone, we never really are.
No matter how poorly we feel and badly we are treated, one kindred face can make all the difference. Here in this vintage video, Truman doesn’t tell us this — his story enables us to feel it…
How are your holidays unique this year?
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Outstanding post 👍
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thank you 🙂
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My pleasure 😀
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Capote seems like a wonderful author. As for the Hollywood sellout, it is the fate of most books turned film, no? Hoping you had a lovely Christmas and it is nice to know you have been enjoying the little things and making most of the stay-at-home experience.
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Many tx for your kind wishes, Markus + Micah – wishing you a lovely season 🙂
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Sometime in the 80s we saw Truman Capote read this story at the the University of Alabama. I can’t remember exactly what building it was in. But at the end when we left the room everyone in the audience was in tears.
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o-m-g!!!! you’re so lucky!
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“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” – Quote by Dr. Seuss
Have a wonderful Christmas and joyous days ahead with warm laughter. Take care.
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same to you & yours, dear Kally ❤
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I wish you and your husband a merry Christmas and all the best for the coming new year. Thank you for the link. I actually saw a movie about Capote, which was also very interesting.
We got the band together this evening for an hour or so, that was something unusual for Christmas. 😉 🙂
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how fun! our xmas day was quiet but lovely with lots of facetime calls to people I hadn’t spoken with in years ❤
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The same here the last two days …. it is nice!
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