“In Cold Blood” is nearly completed; I’m taking a few weeks away from it to write an outline of the novel I intend to write this winter. I will let you read the outline.
My love to you
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO ALVIN DEWEY III
[Bridgehampton, N.Y.]
25 Aug 1964
Dear Dewey—
“The Bet” and “The Shack” are very good. So is “John Howard”—but they all show you are making progress. When I come to G.C. in October we will go over these pieces in detail—that is the only way to explain why I think something is right or wrong.189
I’m glad you spend so much time worrying what to write about. That’s a good habit to get into. You must write something every day—regardless. And you must learn to rewrite things. Polish them. I wish you would take a typing course this winter. It would be invaluable to you!
Love to all
T.
Do not use dots (…); use dashes (—)
I am going to [send] a small, but marvelous, book on punctuation and general English usage. I want you to memorize it.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Bridgehampton, N.Y.]
1 September 1964
Dearhearts—
How about Friday, Oct. 23rd? We could meet in Denver, and go to G.C. on Sunday. I am going to California Oct. 8, and will have to be there two weeks. Anyway, if this sounds okay, darling Marie can make the reservations at the Brown Palace for the four of us (am including Vi, as I know she wants to go).
I am going to spend the labor-day week-end with the Cerfs in Mt. Kisco; otherwise would call you, but don’t like to use the phone in other folk’s houses. However, will call you later on next week.
Under separate cover I am sending you a copy of a long (88 pages) and amazing letter Hickock has written to the Supreme Court. He sent it to me for criticism (!!!)—and, after having it copied, I sent it back. Alvin, please don’t show it to anyone. Just keep it, and you can give it back when I come to G.C.
Love and hugs. I miss you!
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO MARY LOUISE ASWELL
[Bridgehampton, N.Y.]
22 Nov. 1964
Darling Marylou—
Bless you for your sweet letter, precious one. I adored our little jaunt, and you were an angel—all those ‘prairie billys’ (as Perry Smith calls them) were mad about you: you should see the letters they’ve written me.190 You were a darling to send Marie the gifts: you can imagine how happy they made her.
Have been staying at the beach off and on all November, but am returning to town tomorrow, mainly to see a lot of Jackie this upcoming week: she is very tense and tired and blue, what with all the memorial goings-on. To think it was only a year ago today—it seems so much longer.
That you really liked my book was so touching, and such a reward.191 I sort of dreaded your reading it—because I knew that if I was fooling my self, and had made a real mistake (about the artistic possibilities of reportage) you wouldn’t have [been] able to lie (successfully).
Am supposed to go to Switzerland around Dec. 20th. I don’t want to go. Maybe I won’t. But I have to go some place to work—finish those 30-40 pages. I really wouldn’t mind staying here on Long Island. But I couldn’t do it alone. And it would be too mean to make Jack forego [sic] the mountains. Anyway, I’m definitely coming to see you and Aggie in April or thereabouts.
I love you. More than ever (and that’s saying mucho). Love to Aggie. Love from Jack.
Always your friend
(Little) T.
Write me!
[Collection Aswell Family]
TO PETER OWEN
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
[23 November 1964]
Dear Mr. Owen
This is in response to a request for a comment on Jane Bowles’ novel: “Two Serious Ladies.”192“My only complaint against Mrs. Bowles is that she publishes so infrequently. One would prefer larger quantities of her strange wit, thorny insights. Certainly she is one of the really original prose-stylists, as anyone who has ever read ‘Two Serious Ladies’ can testify.”
Sincerely
Truman Capote
23 Nov 1964
[Collection the University of Texas at Austin]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL AND DONALD WINDHAM
[Postcard] [Verbier, Switzerland]
[23 December 1964]
Dear ones—
Arrived okay, and am ensconced in my icy eyrie. But still haven’t quite caught my breath: will write you when I do. Keep an eye on the Times every Tuesday.193 Miss you. Love
Truman
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
28 Dec. 1964
Dearhearts—
Had a very quiet Christmas—spent it working, and expect to do the same New Year’s Day (and New Year’s eve). I’m so glad and grateful to be quiet and away from all the chaos. Now if only Charlie would calm down!—but the mountain air seems to have pepped him up—he’s very rambunctious and pesters me all day long.
Jackie went to Aspen with Pat and Bobby and Jean and All Those Brats.194 Told Pat Aspen was not too far from you, and she said she might give you a ring—All I can say is, I’m So glad I’m not in Aspen.
Haven’t heard from H & S since arriving here; and if they saw that article in ‘Newsweek’, maybe I never will again (I don’t think Dick will take kindly to being called a “pragmatic monster”—Ho! Ho!).195I really am living a very spartan life: get up at 5 A.M, work on and off all day, have drinks at 6:30, eat at 8, go to bed at 9.
I hope dearest Pappy isn’t having to run around too much. I miss you-all very much, and wish it wasn’t so expensive to telephone (not to mention the inconvenience of the time difference).
Am interrupting my schedule tomorrow to visit the Chaplins for a few days. As you know, I adore Oona and am greatly looking forward to seeing her after so long.
I love you, too. All of you—Pete included. Write me. Hugs & kisses
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
9 Jan. 1965
Honeylambs—
My, your Christmas festivities sounded merrily exhausting! However, one paragraph in Marie’s otherwise delightful letter, rcvd. today, sent a slight chill along my spine. I know, when I’ve had a scotch of two (or fifty: ha ha), I’m liable to invite people to take a world cruise—but: did I really invite the Max-fields to come to New York, and if so when? Also, I don’t remember a darn thing about Kay Wells and Los Angeles?!!? But, what is true (and between us strictly) Vi expects me to be in New York when she arrives there in March—though I never said I would be, and don’t see how I can be. However, maybe that will be all right because I have to go to Rome the end of next month, and I gather this somehow coincides with her cruise—I have lots of marvelous friends in Rome, so I guess she would enjoy that and not feel disappointed if I fail to do the New York bit. Oh well—one can do just so much. Anyway, the New York bit (full-treatment) is what I’m saving for you—
Sandy [Campbell] sent me the pictures, and enclosed is the one Marie took of us that he didn’t send you (the rat). Did he send the one of us all gathered round the hobby-horse? I liked that best.
Had long letters from H & S, all very friendly, so I guess they hadn’t seen the article. As usual, they are full of legal plottings, and were very excited about the Caril Fugate ruling (which clipping you sent me).196 I have a hunch that by the time you receive this letter the Supreme Court will have made a decision on their writ.
Was amused by the clipping about ‘Squares.’197 But there are good squares and Bad Squares. Bad Squares are know-it-All know-nothings like Duane West and his Beautiful Bride, Jehosophat.
That’s bad luck about the job. But who knows, maybe by then you won’t need a job. I mean, miracles have happened. And isn’t it just about our turn? Love to the boys and hugs and kisses—
T
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL
[Verbier, Switzerland]
[13 January 1965]
Dear Sandy—
I thought the pictures were very good; many graçias, Señor. The Deweys were pleased, too. Vi Tate has gone off on a world-cruise. Nothing new with Perry and Dick—they are just waiting expectantly on the Supreme Court.
So am I. Listen. The court is going to recess the entire month of February. Resuming in March. Which means there are only 2 Mondays left in Jan. when they might hand down a decision—the 18th and 25th. Please watch the Times, and cable on each of those days as follows—“Writs denied” or “Writs Granted” or, if there is nothing, just “Nothing.” Please do this as I can’t bear the suspense of not knowing one way or the other.
Hope all goes well. Miss you. Love to Don et vous
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL
[Postcard] [Verbier, Switzerland]
19 Jan 1965
Sandy—
Just got the cable.198 Bless you! Now let’s keep everything crossed—knees, eyes, hands, fingers! Much love to Donny et vous
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO PERRY SMITH
[Verbier, Switzerland]
January 24, 1965
Dear Perry—
I’ve only
