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Yachts and Things
Capote's previously lost and unpublished tale "Yachts and Things" was recently discovered by Vanity Fair contributing editor Sam Kasher in the Manuscripts and Archives Division of the New York Public Library. Written at the height of his career and socialite life, this short, thinly-veiled work of fiction tells the story of two friends about to take an "idyllic three-week cruise in the Mediterranean aboard a friend's chartered yacht".
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Truman Capote
346 books7,303 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 4, 2022
Capote war ein begnadeter Erzähler! Schöne Geschichten für zwischendurch.
January 13, 2025
A very short tale written in true Capote style. The real story is who actually wrote it!
October 2, 2016
A lost and recently rediscovered chapter from one of Capote's unfinished novels.
The introduction talks a bit about how the story was found and discusses it in the context of the novel. It seems like it differs in some way from any version that could have made it into the novel - though they didn't discuss how, other than the book had gone in a different direction.
What wasn't clear, though, was whether this was a very early draft or if it was Capote had been rewriting it to try to make it stand alone well enough to publish individually.
In whatever case, it wasn't found with the other chapters of the unfinished novel, and was never published as a stand alone story in his life time.
The editor felt sure that it stood alone fine - yet I'm unconvinced. The prose is good, of course, but the plot was a little thin for that; it read more like an excerpt from a longer story to me.
The introduction talks a bit about how the story was found and discusses it in the context of the novel. It seems like it differs in some way from any version that could have made it into the novel - though they didn't discuss how, other than the book had gone in a different direction.
What wasn't clear, though, was whether this was a very early draft or if it was Capote had been rewriting it to try to make it stand alone well enough to publish individually.
In whatever case, it wasn't found with the other chapters of the unfinished novel, and was never published as a stand alone story in his life time.
The editor felt sure that it stood alone fine - yet I'm unconvinced. The prose is good, of course, but the plot was a little thin for that; it read more like an excerpt from a longer story to me.
Read
July 30, 2022At one point Capote describes a friend returning from her errands as “sweat-soaked and heat crazed” and if that just doesn’t describe me this summer…
February 23, 2022
It's hard to say too much about this. A discovered chapter of a book that never got published. This tiny pages is short, sharp and engaging, just like Capote himself. Makes me want to read "In Cold Blood" again.
Maybe that is the value of this little piece... like a hors d'oeuvre, this little tidbit leaves you wanting more.
Maybe that is the value of this little piece... like a hors d'oeuvre, this little tidbit leaves you wanting more.
September 17, 2017
This is what short fiction is all about. This is pure Capote through-and-through.
December 31, 2020
Unfinished work, a mere snippet. But lovely and Capote.
September 18, 2021
Didn’t understand meaning of this.
September 25, 2022
It’s my mission to read as much of Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, his last, and by all his accounts, greatest, work as possible. According to the intro, “Yachts and Things” was found tucked away in the manuscript library at NYPL and was likely intended to be a part of Answered Prayers. Previously unpublished and I’m guessing not completed, the story is about Truman and a woman who is likely Katherine Graham from the WaPo on a private Mediterranean cruise. I loved it and wish there was more.
February 14, 2021
One too many Hashish makes the words thinner in volume but flowery in prose. Short but nice.
June 16, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-36-b...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-36...
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-28-b...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-28...
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-36-b...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-36...
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-28-b...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-28...
November 4, 2024
A very short Capote snippet about a Mediterranean cruise that a slightly affected not unlike Capote takes with a woman. They stop with a rich woman on a private island for supper, watch a porpoise playing by the boat and smoke some hashish with a beach part of Turks. And that's about it but the prose is nice and lush. It might have been meant as part of a novel in early stages of prep.
January 23, 2025
I can see where this would have been a good story or even a decent short story, but it feels very incomplete.
How did this book find me? It was the in the Audible Plus catalog and I have been meaning to read more of Capote's work.
How did this book find me? It was the in the Audible Plus catalog and I have been meaning to read more of Capote's work.
Read
December 2, 2021Meh, but it was discovered as an unpublished chapter of an unfinished novel, so.
June 13, 2022
A snippet of the first chapter of an unfinished novel. Lovely prose, a tantalising snippet.
Audio has some introductory info at the beginning.
Audio has some introductory info at the beginning.
September 5, 2022
Everything Truman Capote writes is delightful.
October 11, 2022
capote’s great but this was clearly a little scattered and unfinished. silver lining is it left me wanting more?
a shame we’ll never know how it would have read
a shame we’ll never know how it would have read
January 27, 2025
Must be the wind…..
August 25, 2025
Breve e magico, perfetta lettura estiva. Grande scrittore!
January 19, 2026
I listened on Audible, I don’t really have much to say… just one chapter, and that’s about it.
July 26, 2025
Unfortunately, this is a case of false advertising, as the title is very misleading. While there are quite a few things in the story, there is only one yacht. Therefore, it should be called "Yacht & Things."
March 28, 2017
Good at setting the scene and nice to know from the introduction that it's thinly veiled autobiographical - I was surprised to find I would have liked the story to keep going, yet as it is I wouldn't recommend it really - it's unfinished.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews