This is a short and pungent New Yorker-style profile/extended essay of one of the great literary talents and some would say underachievers of American literature.Robert Emmet Long presents a full account of Truman Capote's early life, making use of Capote's unpublished papers. The topics covered include his strange relationship with his beautiful but immature mother (she was sixteen years old when Capote was born), as well as his friendships with a series of rich and talented women.Combining biographical insights with literary criticism, "Truman Capote, Enfant Terrible" presents a grand overview of a complex and fascinating author: one who remained a child in appearance and behavior; a Southerner who strayed from the South, a celebrity while living the most solitary realm of his vast imagination.

Author Biography

Robert Emmet Long is a recognized critic of American and British literature, and a commentator on the performing arts. He is author or editor of some 30 books and he has contributed over 400 articles to many journals and magazines, including The Nation, Commonweal, and Saturday Review.