Truman Capote. First edition (stated), third printing. Dust Jacket: Very Good. An unclipped jacket with original price $10.95 on inside flap. Jacket designed by the great R.D. Scudellari. There are three small tears on the top of the jacket, with additional chipping on bottom of spine. Note: there is also a two inch separation between flyleaf page and binding, book is still structurally sound though, see photo (this is reflected in the price). No writing or markings in this sturdy book, 262 pp. With Random House's standard number line commencing with "2" on copyright page denoting a first edition, ending with "3" (third printing).
A collection of stories by Truman Capote - At the centre of "Music for Chameleons" is Handcarved Coffins, a 'nonfiction novel' based on the brutal crimes of a real-life murderer. Taking place in a small Midwestern town in America, it offers chilling insights into the mind of a killer and the obsession of the man bringing him to justice. Also in this volume are six short stories and seven 'conversational portraits' including a touching one of Marilyn Monroe, the 'beautiful child' and a hilarious one of a dope-smoking cleaning lady doing her rounds in New York.
This was Capote's first collection of new material in fourteen years, Music for Chameleons spent sixteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, unprecedented for a collection of short works. Music for Chameleons was also Capote's final book, a collection of short stories "consisting of some of his most effective prose"
