I'm going to write this while trying not to cry again.
I had a weird reaction reading this book.
It reminds me of something my aunt and I discussed while reading Looking for Alaska. We romanticize the life these women lead. It's dark, it's sad, it's honest. But we can't help wanting to be them.
Breakfast at Tiffany's follows party girl, Holly Golightly.
Better recognized as the iconic Audrey Hepburn.
You guys probably remember bits and pieces from this novella and movie. Things like the allure of New York City, the fashion, the glamorous parties....but I think many of us missed the overall theme of the book. Instead of giving an actual review, this is going to be an analysis, I guess you could say.
Let me start by saying, the novella and movie are VASTLY different.
Some lines are taken directly from the text, but overall it lost the darker theme of the book.
Paul Varjack is actually never named in the novella, and he most definitely is not in love with Holly Golightly. They do become fast friends, but I think their friendship was one that fit perfectly with Truman Capote's writing. The queer undertones of their friendship permeate from the pages, while it's completely cut from the movie.
Holly leads a life of luxury. She makes her living as a call girl and an unwitting messenger for mafia leader, Sally Tomato. The man upstairs is a typical struggling writing trying to make ends meet. He's drawn in by Holly's carefree lifestyle. But he sees Holly for who she truly is.
In my opinion, and it is just an opinion, Holly struggles with Bipolar Personality Disorder (BPD). Her "carefree" lifestyle, her manic episodes, her constant need to stay aloof....they all point to BPD. She avoids settling down anywhere, she's living out of suitcases, she's constantly looking for someone to sweep her off her feet and away from all her problems.
I also believe that Holly may have been pansexual and/or asexual.
Now before y'all jump up about me ruining a classic, hear me out.
Throughout the book she mentions that she enjoys spending time with "dykes". She even goes as far as to move a rather masculine woman into her apartment. Which would make sense why her upstairs neighbor is drawn to Holly, because he's modeled after Truman Capote himself, an openly gay man.
They're drawn to each other because they feel they understand the struggles they're both going through. Another interesting aspect is that Holly hardly ever is seen having sex outside of the gentlemen she was escorting for the night. That could point to the idea that she avoids sexual relationships with men/women because she is afraid of getting attached to someone.
To quote Holly, "You can make yourself fall in love with anyone."
I honestly loved this novella. All 87 pages of it.
The movie is obviously iconic, but there is a reason Capote hated it and I completely understand why he felt this way. I highly recommending reading this fantastic piece of literature.
Looking for other books by Truman Capote?
Looking for other books about Truman Capote?
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