"Tom took his whipping and went back to his seat not at all broken-hearted, for he thought it was possible that he had unknowingly upset the ink on the spelling-book himself, in some skylarking bout--he had denied it for form's sake and because it was custom, he had stuck to the denial from principle."
Summer Crossing is a book I have had on my bookshelf for years after I my aunt gave me her duplicate copy. In between book club books, I needed a short read. So I picked up Summer Crossing, not having read any of Capote's other works. I didn't realize until after I had finished that the book was the first novel he wrote--although the last to be published.
Truman Capote is a great writer. Even this first book, which the author himself abandoned at one point in time, showcases his talent. I did not love the story, but it was intriguing. It's coming-of-age, meets class-conflict, meets love story meets tragic ending. And all in just six chapters.
The main character, Grady McNeil, reminds me, in some ways, of Undine Spragg in Wharton's The Custom of the Country. You can just see the irrevocable spiraling out of control in her decisions and choices during a whirlwind summer.
The ending is abrupt and leaves one wondering. I can't help but think what Capote may have changed and added had he had the change to truly revise and refine the story before his death.
All in all I enjoyed the writing style and voice and liked it well enough to read some of his more well-known works in the future.
"You must write every single day of your life...you must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads...may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world."
Celebrate by reading books of all kinds this month. Autumn makes me feel like reading Harry Potter, so I've swiped my brother's copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
"A true poem is distinguished not so much by a felicitous expression, or any thought it suggests, as by the atmosphere which surrounds it. Most have beauty of outline merely, and are striking as the form and bearing of a stranger; but true verses come toward us indistinctly, as the very breath of all friendliness, and envelop us in their spirit and fragrance."
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