The Grass Harp

by Truman Capote
The Grass Harp cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 2058
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780679745570
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1980-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Set on the outskirts of a small Southern town, The Grass Harp tells the enchanting tale of three misfits who find solace and freedom in a tree house. Their unique bond and the lessons they learn about love and life are beautifully captured in this heartwarming story. /n/nFrom the renowned author of In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's, this novel is infused with tender laughter, human warmth, and a deep appreciation for the positive qualities of life. It also includes Capote's A Tree of Night and Other Stories, praised for its unobtrusive beauty and superb storytelling.

Reviews
The Bora Booktique · 2022-03-16
thought-provoking 4.20

The Grass Harp offers little lessons on belonging, love, and the choices we make, with a narrative tonality that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of themes such as belonging and love, finding the narrative tonality to be particularly engaging. They highlight the lessons embedded within the story, which resonate with readers and provoke thought. The reviewer enjoys the way Capote weaves these themes into the characters' experiences, making the story both relatable and insightful. The novel's ability to evoke emotion and contemplation is noted as a significant strength.

Quick quotes

    I will say that there are some little lessons from Capote about belonging, and love, and the choices we make.

    The tonality of the narrative is engaging and thought-provoking.

    The Grass Harp is a story that stays with you long after you've finished reading it.

746books.com · 2017-04-19
heart-warming 4.50

The Grass Harp is a sweet, amusing, and heart-warming tale of friendship, family, and finding one's place in the world. It is a delightful and touching story that captures the essence of small-town life and the bonds that form within it.

The reviewer found The Grass Harp to be a lovely surprise, filled with warmth and charm. They appreciated the novel's exploration of friendship and family, highlighting how the characters' relationships develop in a small Southern town. The story's heart-warming moments and whimsical tone make it a memorable read, leaving a lasting impression of the characters and their journey.

Quick quotes

    The Grass Harp then, was a lovely surprise – a sweet, amusing and heart-warming tale of friendship, family and finding your place in the world.

    It’s a story that lingers long after the last page is turned.

    The characters are endearing and the narrative is filled with a sense of wonder and nostalgia.

The New York Times · 1997-12-28
character-driven 4.00

The Grass Harp is a restrained yet characteristic performance by Capote, showcasing his precise prose and character-driven storytelling.

The reviewer notes that The Grass Harp is a more restrained work compared to some of Capote's other writings, but it still exemplifies his talent for character development and precise prose. They appreciate the novel's focus on the nuances of its characters and the small-town setting, which adds depth to the story. The reviewer finds the narrative to be engaging and well-crafted, highlighting Capote's ability to create a compelling and atmospheric tale.

Quick quotes

    "The Grass Harp" is a characteristically Capote performance in several important respects; but it is a much more restrained one.

    Its prose is as precise, as finely wrought, as any Capote has written.

    The novel's strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of place and time.

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