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Why 'The Grass Harp' Didn't Quite Work for Me
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Voices of Grass by Truman Capote
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Voices of Grass by Truman Capote

This novel's a real page-turner - Truman Capote's 'Voices of Grass' will keep you thinking long after you finish reading. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, with characters that feel surprisingly real and relatable. You'll be drawn into their world and left wondering about the complexities of life.
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Why 'The Grass Harp' Didn't Quite Work for Me

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I dove into Truman Capote's works thinking I'd start with 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' but the collection included 'The Grass Harp,' published in 1951. I chose to read it, and here's what I thought. The story revolves around Collins Fenwick, a young boy who loses his mom and moves in with his aunts, Dolly and Varenne. Dolly's a free spirit, brewing potions from wildflowers to cure warts, while Varenne wants to mass-produce the concoction for profit. When Dolly clashes with Varenne, they decide to leave and live in a tree, but the sheriff and townspeople show up, causing quite a stir. The novella's an easy read, but the characters and plot didn't quite resonate with me. I expected more depth and complexity from Capote, but 'The Grass Harp' felt like a surface-level tale. The writing's engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick read, but the characters feel somewhat flat and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them. The plot's predictable and lacks tension or conflict, which makes the story feel somewhat shallow. The themes of nonconformity and individuality are relevant and timely, but they're not explored in great detail or depth. The novella's a great introduction to Capote's style and voice, but it's not necessarily a good choice for fans of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' The two stories are quite different, and 'The Grass Harp' feels more like a surface-level tale compared to the complexity of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.'

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Why 'The Grass Harp' Didn't Quite Work for Me
I recently decided to dive into Truman Capote's works, thinking I'd start with 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' – but the collection included another novella, 'The Grass Harp,' which was published back in 1951. So, I went with that one.
Here's the lowdown on the story:
Young Collins Fenwick loses his mom and ends up moving in with his aunts, Dolly and Varenne. Dolly's a gentle soul, but she doesn't work; she's more into brewing this concoction to cure warts from wildflowers. They live in an old house on an old cypress tree.
When Dolly clashes with Varenne (who wants to mass-produce the potion and make a profit), Dolly, along with her maid, Catherine, and Collins, decides to bail and live in the tree.
Varenne puts out an APB, and before long, the sheriff shows up with a group of concerned citizens. They're all upset and want the group to come down from the tree and head back home. Meanwhile, more characters join the tree-dwellers, including a retired judge, Cul, and a charming ladies' man, Ray H. Henderson. Together, they stand up to the uptight folks in town.
'The Grass Harp' is an easy read; the writing's smooth and engaging. You can finish it in a couple of nights, no problem. But honestly, it didn't click with me.
This book's all about misfits – people who don't quite fit the mold.
Capote seems to sympathize with them, but for some reason, I just don't.
Dolly's a kind, gentle soul, but come on; she's not working, and she's living off her sister. Varenne's the one who's responsible and trying to make a life for herself. She's tough, but someone's gotta be.
And that dramatic tree-dwelling escapade? Sorry, but it just feels infantile to me.
Abandoning everything and just sitting on a branch? Give me a break.
And what about society?
The 'respectable' townsfolk annoy me just as much as the tree-dwellers.
What's the big deal if people want to live in a tree? Let them be. Why rush them back into line? What's the threat? What are they breaking?
It feels like a big show – everyone's just posturing.
There are moments and characters that really got under my skin.
For example, there's a judge who writes to a young girl, pretending to be a boy her age. He's trying to be supportive, but it's still a lie. If the girl found out, she'd be thrilled? I don't think so.
Then there's a mention of a guy who wanted to marry a 15-year-old girl. They turned him down, which is right. But on the tree, it's all, 'What's the big deal? She loved him.' No, that's not romantic; that's a red flag.
And then there's the lovely, multi-kid mom with 15 kids from different guys she barely remembers. She had one with her sister's husband, whom she was trying to comfort. She poured her heart out to him. Of course, she can't afford to raise all those kids.
I get that Capote feels sorry for these characters, but they just annoy me.
Maybe it's not the book?
I'm not a heartless person, but there's a difference between people in trouble and those who are making their own messes.
Maybe I'd love to live in a tree and abandon everything like Dolly. Maybe I'd love to be a rebel. But I'm not that lucky.
Capote would probably make me a negative character, like those uptight townsfolk. I don't get that kind of carefree attitude.
'The Grass Harp' is a light, atmospheric tale about people living outside the norm. But for me, it's not about freedom; it's about irresponsibility masquerading as romance.
I'm not the target audience for this book.
For me, 'The Grass Harp' was a disappointing read. While the writing is engaging and the story is easy to follow, I just couldn't connect with the characters or the themes. Maybe I'm too caught up in the idea of responsibility and hard work.
One thing that did strike me was the way Capote portrays the townsfolk. They're all so uptight and judgmental, but in a way that feels almost... caricatured. It's like he's taking a big swing at them, but missing the mark.
And then there's the way he handles the themes of nonconformity and rebellion. It feels like he's romanticizing it, making it seem like the easy way out. But for me, it's not that simple.
I think what I'm trying to say is that 'The Grass Harp' just didn't resonate with me. It's a book that's all about living outside the norm, but for me, it's not about freedom; it's about irresponsibility masquerading as romance.
Maybe I'm just not the right person to be reading this book. Maybe I'm too caught up in the idea of responsibility and hard work. But for me, 'The Grass Harp' was a disappointing read.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's 'The Grass Harp' about?

The novella tells the story of Collins Fenwick, a young boy who loses his mom and moves in with his aunts, Dolly and Varenne. They live in a tree and clash with the sheriff and townspeople, leading to a series of events that explore themes of nonconformity and individuality.

Is 'The Grass Harp' a good introduction to Truman Capote's works?

Yes, 'The Grass Harp' is a great introduction to Capote's style and voice. The writing is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick read.

What's the historical context of the novella?

The story's set in the 1950s, which adds some historical context to the tale. Capote's writing provides a vivid picture of the time period, making it easy to visualize the settings.

What are the themes of 'The Grass Harp'?

The novella explores themes of nonconformity and individuality, which are relevant and timely. However, the themes aren't explored in great detail or depth, making the story feel somewhat surface-level.

Is 'The Grass Harp' a quick read?

Yes, the novella's an easy read, thanks to Capote's engaging and descriptive writing. The story's predictable and lacks tension or conflict, making it a quick and straightforward read.

What's the tone of 'The Grass Harp'?

The tone of the novella is somewhat whimsical and quirky, reflecting the characters' free-spirited nature. However, the tone can also feel a bit too simplistic at times, which detracts from the story's overall impact.

Is 'The Grass Harp' a good choice for fans of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'?

While 'The Grass Harp' is a great introduction to Capote's style and voice, it's not necessarily a good choice for fans of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' The two stories are quite different, and 'The Grass Harp' feels more like a surface-level tale compared to the complexity of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.'

What's the significance of the title 'The Grass Harp'?

The title 'The Grass Harp' refers to the makeshift harp made from grass and a wooden frame, which becomes a symbol of the characters' nonconformity and individuality. The title reflects the story's themes and adds to the novella's whimsical and quirky tone.

What did I expect from 'The Grass Harp'?

I expected more depth and complexity from Capote, but 'The Grass Harp' felt like a surface-level tale.

check_circlePros

  • •The writing is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick read.
  • •The story's set in a unique time period, which adds some historical context.
  • •The characters, although somewhat one-dimensional, are memorable and quirky.
  • •The themes of nonconformity and individuality are relevant and timely.
  • •The novella's a great introduction to Capote's style and voice.
  • •The writing's descriptive and vivid, making it easy to visualize the settings.
  • •The story's predictable and lacks tension or conflict, making it a quick and straightforward read.
  • •The themes are relevant and timely, even if they're not explored in great detail or depth.

cancelCons

  • •The characters feel somewhat flat and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them.
  • •The plot's predictable and lacks tension or conflict.
  • •The themes, while relevant, aren't explored in great detail or depth.
  • •The novella feels like a surface-level tale, lacking complexity and nuance.
  • •The writing, while engaging, can be a bit too simplistic at times.
  • •The characters' motivations and actions often feel forced or contrived.
  • •The story's predictable and lacks tension or conflict, making it feel shallow.
  • •The themes are relevant, but they're not explored in great detail or depth.
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