Other Voices, Other Rooms

By: Truman Capote

Narrated by: Cody Roberts

Truman Capote's first novel is a story of almost supernatural intensity and inventiveness, an audacious foray into the mind of a sensitive boy as he seeks out the grown-up enigmas of love and death in the ghostly landscape of the deep South.

At the age of 12, Joel Knox is summoned to meet the father who abandoned him at birth. But when Joel arrives at the decaying mansion in Skully's Landing, his father is nowhere in sight. What he finds instead is a sullen stepmother who delights in killing birds; an uncle with the face - and heart - of a debauched child; and a fearsome little girl named Idabel who may offer him the closest thing he has ever known to love.

©1948 Truman Capote; copyright renewed 1975 by Truman Capote (P)2018 Tantor

That horrible fake southern accent ruined a beautiful book.

It is such a beautiful book by a masterful author done in a way like only Truman Capote can. The characters were captured for the duration and not a paragraph could be heard without seeing exactly the narrator.

Captivating, mostly

Capote’s writing is so vividly descriptive it drew me in immediately, and did not let go. The story was interesting but the characters, their actions and motives felt shallow. There was so many things that were introduced but not explored, it ended with me wanting much more.

Amazing descriptions, fantastically written

The narrator’s southern accent is disagreeable. But, other than that this is a great book.

the lyricism of the writing

all of it was beautifully written reminding me of why people love Capote as an author

Capote’s coming of age story

Imagine Huckleberry Finn. Now imagine Huckleberry Finn as a dreamy, gay child living half in fantasy and half in a real world that is even stranger than his fantasies. That’s “Other Voices, Other Rooms”. It is Southern Gothic with a very contemporary feel for gender and sexuality—very ahead of its time (written 75 years ago). It reminded me a lot of the podcast “S-town.”

Clearly not to everyone’s taste, but I loved the book. Beautifully written and emotionally honest. The narration, which some people may find off-putting, seems to me to hit just the right tone. The narrator’s Southern accent is properly languorous and dreamy—much as Capote’s own speaking voice was, but without the slight lisp that Capote had.

Extraordinary writing

Beautiful writing that rightfully catapulted the very young Truman Capote to fame.
A strange Southern Gothic plot but wonderful characters that feel very real. Amazing that the 23 year old TC had such understanding of human nature.

The narration is on point!!

I loved the different voices for the characters and ease with which the story was told. Admittedly I was confused with some parts of the story- like the lack of bridge from Part 2 to Part 3, but think that was intended?

Compelling story

I didn’t dislike a single thing . Throughly enjoyed listening to it, I wonder if it would have dragged along if I had read it.

What’s the point?

I just never understood the point of the story or plot. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Confusing

While Capote paints a very elaborate picture with lovely, vivid descriptions, the story was painfully slow and seemed to go off the rails a bit, especially towards the end. I wasn't sure if he was in a dream/delirious state or what was happening. I still am not entirely sure what it was supposed to relay. Not his best work in my opinion.