TOW #4 "In Cold Blood" IRB

I have never liked nonfiction.  With the exception of a few books on prehistory and an excellent autobiography about John Elder Robinson, I usually steer toward fiction.  This book, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, has officially joined the ranks of great nonfiction books that I enjoy.  Mainly because Capote uses two view points; a factual-based side while introducing the family that is murdered and an almost entirely narrative-based side when talking about the murders.  For me, switching between two characters or multiple story lines was preferred, because I would often get board in the middle of a book.  I used to counteract that with reading multiple books at the same time.  In Cold Blood feels like two books in one, which keeps my interest throughout the first half of the book.  Also, since the audience is most likely murder-fanatics (as I am), Capote must have four key pieces to make this a riveting murder tale: history of the victim, history of the murder, the murder, and catching the culprit (not necessarily in that order).  So far, Capote has given us the history of Clutter family (the victims), the history of Dick and Perry (the assumed murderers), and the murder.  I feverishly await the actual catching of the perpetrators, but that is yet to come.   

I feel like the narrative is the most important rhetorical device.  Not only does that keep the interest of the audience, but it develops ethos and pathos for the author.  Capote tells us details that only someone who was either at the crime scene or someone who has done more than extensive research into the topic, such as the normal routines of the the family, the social standings of the family members, and the pervious lives of the two murders.  Also, by telling us about Nancy teaching Jolene how to make pies even when Nancy had no time, it connects the reader the family.  I remember thinking "I would love to be friends with this family."  It makes it even sadder when the entire family is murdered.  On the flip side, it makes you more angry and disgusted at the murderers.  In Cold Blood really makes you realize that just about anyone can fall victim to crime.  The Clutter family were loved by all and seemed to be a pillar of the community.  They were alive one night, then all murdered by morning.  Put's life in perspective, doesn't it?