Finished 10-02-09, rating 4/5, fiction novella, pub. 1958
“I could hear Doc Golightly’s footsteps climbing the stairs. His head appeared above the banisters and Holly backed away from him, not as though she were frightened, but as though she were retreating into a shell of disappointment. Then he was standing in front of her, hangdog and shy. “Gosh, Lulamae,” he began, and hesitated, for Holly was gazing at him vacantly, as though she couldn’t place him. “Gee, honey,” he said, “don’t they feed you up here? You’re so skinny. Like when I first saw you. All wild around the eye.”
I love the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and wanted to read the novella it originated in. This is a short story that is edgy and provocative in a way the movie was not. There were many passages that were in the movie word for word, but oftentimes they were completely out of context. The movie was romantic and Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly was flawed and vulnerable, but not so with this amazing story.
Paul writes the story of his time spent with Holly Golightly years after they have seen each other for the last time, when he puts her on a plane to Brazil. He decides is finally time to document the refreshing Holly and his love for her. They lived in the same apartment and saw each other in passing for a while before their friendship blossomed. His position was to view her from afar for the most part as the friendship stopped and started often.
Holly Golightly was an independent woman who knew what she wanted and didn’t let things like facts get in the way. She was a phony, but a good phony. Truman Capote wrote a beautiful novel and even though it differed quite a bit from the movie, I loved it on its own merit. If you are a fan of the movie you really must read this. At around 100 pages it won’t take you long.
Stacy's Books 
It’s been a long time since I read this, but I really liked it too! Of course, I’d seen the movie first, so I had Audrey Hepburn in my head the whole time.
Me too!
It’s been years since I saw the movie, which I did like. I’ve been wanting to read some of Truman Capote’s fiction after reading In Cold Blood. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Stacy. I look forward to reading it!
This was my first Capote reading, but I do have hopes of getting to In Cold Blood soon.
I haven’t watch the movie or read the book, although I’ve heard of it many times. I hope to do both soon. Will keep this in mind. 🙂
You really do need to see the movie.
I read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and really enjoyed it, but haven’t tried anything else by him yet. Thanks for the review!
In Cold Blood is on my shelves.
I just picked this up from the library yesterday. I’ve only had a few minutes to start it, but I’m really looking forward to sitting down with it sometime this week. I’m happy to hear you liked it!
I think you’ll enjoy it.
I am a fan of this movie. I’ve seen it so many times over the years. I’m not sure I even knew there was a a book. I’m going to see if the library has it.
You really need to look for it at the library. It’ll give you a greater appreciation for the movie.
ooh, thank you. this is just what i need to read, i’m between books at the moment.
Because it’s so short it is perfect for that!
I love this movie too but haven’t read the book. Don’t enter me, I’m not sure I’ll read the book when I have watched the movie.
Definitely see the movie first.
The book is very different from the movie, isn’t it. It’s time for a reread, I think.
They were SO different and yet I really liked both.
I liked Capote’s Holly a lot. I agree that the movie is a bit slanted, a bit off from the book but I like it too. Both Holly’s are just great.
Absolutely! The Holly’s were very different, but each very appealing in their own way.