The Reader’s Advisory Matrix

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote


1.Where is the book on the narrative continuum

Highly narrative (reads like fiction)



2. What is the subject of the book

The depiction of the murder of a small town family and their killers’ lives



3. What type of book is it?

True Crime

4. Articulate Appeal

What is the pacing of the book? 

The pacing is casual but encapturing for the reader

Describe the characters of the book. 

The characters are very important to the book. There is the family of the farmhouse that is murdered. They are typical small town good natured people, and then there are the murderers. They are flawed but humanized.

How does the story feel? 

The story feels gut-wrenching at times but very interesting all the way through

What is the intent of the author? 

The intent of the author is to describe the murder and motive of the crime, expose the true personality of the offenders and victims and shock the reader with the brutality of the crime.

What is the focus of the story?

 The focus of the story in the lives of the victims and murderers along with the motive.

Does the language matter?

 The language helps to put the reader in the time period that the book is set.


Is the setting important well described?

 The setting is important in that it adds to the shock value of the brutality of the crime and adds to the personality of the victims. The setting is thoroughly described.




Are there details and, if so, of what? There are many details, particularly of the crime scene, the act of murder, and details of the lives of the victims and criminals.




Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? No charts or graphs


Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience? 

Understanding of just how unexpected and undeserved the crime was, and what let the offenders to commit it. Experience of the time and how unsettling the crime was at that time and in the town.



5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal) ?


Tone


Detail


Setting