A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor in Retro Chapter Chicks

Oct 25, 2017 Brina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, short-stories, holiday, southern

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote is an upcoming read in the group On the Southern Literary Trail in December. As my last two months of the year looked to be packed as I finish up challenges, I decided to take the time to read this story collection. I had previously read both Breakfast at Tiffany's and other stories as well as In Cold Blood, so I had already experienced Capote's expert storytelling skills. With any story he has written, however long, I knew I would be in for a treat as I took A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote is an upcoming read in the group On the Southern Literary Trail in December. As my last two months of the year looked to be packed as I finish up challenges, I decided to take the time to read this story collection. I had previously read both Breakfast at Tiffany's and other stories as well as In Cold Blood, so I had already experienced Capote's expert storytelling skills. With any story he has written, however long, I knew I would be in for a treat as I took the time to read his skillfully written prose.

Although the three stories here are fictional, Capote's holiday recollections stem back to a time when he was seven years old, living with his maternal family in rural Alabama. His parents divorced when Capote was young and neither was in a position to claim custody of him, so he was sent to live with kin. Even though young Truman was unwanted by either of his parents, he was not unloved as he developed into an unlikely but loving friendship with his great aunt Sook and her dog Queenie. Sook, who referred to Truman as Buddy, taught the future writer lessons of humility, religion, and other skills which she had acquired over the course of a life skills. Not socially adept, Sook preferred to spend her time in Truman's presence, and the two went on to develop a special relationship that was not lessened by time or distance. As a result, Capote took this relationship and lessons to heart, shaping them into short stories which have endured for decades.

In A Christmas Memory, Sook wakes one day and declares that it is fruit cake weather. November has started and with it holiday preparation. Sook and Buddy take all the money they have earned over the course of the year, a mere $12.73, to bake fruit cakes for more than thirty distinguished recipients: every one from President Roosevelt to a visitor who once passed through the parlor. Baking the cakes is a labor of love and an act that strengthens this unique friendship. The story moves from baking cakes to obtaining the perfect tree and then creatively crafting decorations on a Depression era budget. Capote's prose is straight forward yet a chock full of descriptive language that had me smiling alongside seven year old Buddy as he prepares for the holidays. The end of this short tale teaches additional life lessons and had me hearkening to a simpler, but in many ways, happier time period. As a result, I eagerly moved on to the other two stories in this collection.

The Thanksgiving Visitor also has Sook teaching Buddy valuable life lessons. At a time when one's education was at a premium and any school past the eighth grade was not guaranteed, Buddy attended school with Odd Henderson who had already been made to repeat first and second grade, and was a twelve year bully in a class of eight year olds. Always one to tease and torment Buddy, Sook suggests that he invites Odd to the family's yearly Thanksgiving celebration. Buddy does not want anything to do with his nemesis but relents as Sook teaches him to empathize with other's stations in life. This story was a short fifty pages and moved quickly as Capote pays attention to detail in describing a southern Thanksgiving. In addition to Sook's lessons, this story had my mouth watering and looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday ahead.

Truman Capote is one of America's master story tellers from the mid 20th century. His In Cold Blood was genre transforming and captivating to read, while Breakfast at Tiffany's told a different story from the one I envisioned from the movie. Yet, neither of these stories is as personal to the author as A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, and The Thanksgiving Visitor. These three short tales take the reader back to the author's early childhood and teach valuable life lessons. Combined with soothing, detailed prose, they have been a joy to read, and have me relishing the brief time I spent in Capote's presence.

4+ stars ...more

127 likes · Like · see review

Dec 24, 2019 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, retro-chapter, southern, christmas, short-story, classic, anthology, holiday

RATING: 4 STARS

When I think of Capote I think of his stylish over the top prose like Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood he actually inserts himself in a true crime case, and gives it flair that makes a new genre (literary nonfiction). I found these stories to be more subtle and reminds me of what I think Capote was like as a child growing in Alabama. This collection of short stories is a great brief look at Capote's writing style. This reminds me, I need to read more Capote ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 25, 2018 Celia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-read, classics, ten-year-challenge

What a beautiful book to read on Christmas Day.

Truman Capote shares with us here, three memories of his childhood:

A Christmas Memory
Truman and Miss Sook make fruit cake laced with boot-leg whiskey.

One Christmas
Truman spends Christmas with his estranged father.

The Thanksgiving Visitor
Truman's nemesis, Odd Henderson is invited to Thanksgiving dinner.

Capote turns a beautiful phrase in these stories. Not sugary sweet, instead, descriptive and striking.

5 stars ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2013 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christmas, southern-lit, concierge, cooking, library, coming-of-age, family, literature, short-stories

I've read and reviewed A Christmas Memory previously. Here I'll concentrate on the other two stories in this collection.

One Christmas relates how the young Truman is summoned to New Orleans to spend the holiday with his father – a man who is as foreign as any stranger, and equally as frightening to the impressionable boy. The child doesn’t really want to make the trip; he’d rather stay with his old-maid cousins in the familiar, rural Alabama setting where he feels loved and protected. Still New ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 17, 2023 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction

Like

From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

What Members Thought

Retro Chapter Chicks