Breakfast at Tiffany's

by Truman Capote
Breakfast at Tiffany's cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £8.99–£9.99 Hardback • £12.99
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Format • £8.54
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Technical
  • ID: 1072
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780679745655
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1993-09-28
  • Formats: 78
  • Reviews: 4

Holly Golightly, a captivating and enigmatic woman, finds solace in the glamour and safety of Tiffany's. Truman Capote's masterpiece explores her poignant journey with wit and charm, making her a timeless literary icon. The volume also includes three of Capote's most celebrated stories, each offering a unique blend of emotion and insight. 'A Christmas Memory' is particularly noted for its moving portrayal of a boy and his elderly friend, revealing a profound truth beneath its sweetness. This collection showcases Capote's exceptional storytelling, blending humor, heartache, and a sharp understanding of human nature. The stories within this volume have left an indelible mark on literature, with 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' standing as a testament to Capote's enduring talent.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-17
masterpiece 5.00

The reviewer praises the book as a scintillating masterpiece and a perfect antidote to the green meanies.

This review highly praises the book, calling it a scintillating masterpiece. It considers the book a perfect antidote to the green meanies and one of the greatest American novels. The reviewer finds it a captivating and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    In this seductive, wistful masterpiece, Capote created a woman whose name has entered the American idiom and whose style is a part of the literary landscape.

    Breakfast at Tiffany's is Truman Capote's scintillating masterpiece, the perfect antidote to the green meanies and the greatest American novel yet.

    The book is a scintillating masterpiece and a perfect antidote to the green meanies.

Reddit - r/books · 2023-04-29
bleak 3.50

The book is hard and bleak, contrasting sharply with the cutesy and romantic film adaptation.

The reviewer points out a stark contrast between the book and its film adaptation, describing the book as hard and bleak. They highlight that the idea of 'a breakfast at Tiffany's' is Holly's one forlorn hope, adding a layer of melancholy to the story. The reviewer appreciates the book's raw and unfiltered portrayal of its characters and setting, which stands in contrast to the more romanticized version presented in the film. This perspective offers a deeper understanding of the book's themes and character motivations.

Quick quotes

    The film is cutesy and romantic. The book is hard and bleak.

    The thought of 'a breakfast at Tiffany's' is Holly's one forlorn hope.

    None of the characters are likeable or supposed to be aspirational.

Devontre Varro Flaherty · 2022-07-12
good 3.00

The story is engaging, but it didn't resonate deeply. The characters and setting are vivid, but the emotional impact falls short.

The reviewer found the story compelling, with a vivid setting and interesting characters. However, they felt that the emotional depth was lacking, making it an enjoyable but not particularly impactful read. The narrative's charm is undeniable, but the reviewer didn't connect with it on a deeper level. Overall, it's a good story that might not leave a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    It's a good story, I just didn't love it.

    About a man serving a life sentence in a work prison in the pine forests of Alabama, and the new kid who arrives with ...

    The emotional impact falls short.

Cannonball Read · 2019-09-23
intriguing 4.00

The book is a fun and quick read, but it also reveals a dark side of New York, whether intentional or not.

The reviewer enjoyed the book for its fast-paced and entertaining narrative. However, they also noted that it reveals a darker side of New York, which adds a layer of complexity to the story. This duality makes the book both enjoyable and thought-provoking, as it contrasts the glamour of the city with its underlying harsh realities.

Quick quotes

    As fun and quick a read as it is, Breakfast at Tiffany's shows a dark side of New York, whether that was Capote's intention or not.

    The story is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    The duality of the book makes it a compelling read.

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