Summer Crossing is one of those books that aspiring writers bang out, then, when they re-read it, realise it’s tosh and cast it aside. All great writers have these novels – Stephen King has a few, even J. K. Rowling progressed two novels before abandoning them. Unfortunately for Truman Capote, several years after his death this was found. There is good argument for its release – Capote is an American icon, associated with guys and dolls and rich kids swigging martinis. But there is an even greater reason for it not to be – he didn’t want it published. Yep, there are moments where his creativity and brilliance come through, but the novel is thin – a kind of warm up for Breakfast at Tiffany’s – it’s heavily over-written and he clearly hadn’t heard the phrase “show don’t tell”. An interesting read for historical reasons, but, given it’s shortness, it’s telling that I still skimmed towards the end.
See review on Goodreads.