Reading Groups

Celebrating Truman Capote During His Centennial Year with Elizabeth Howard

Two Sessions Tuesdays, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:30 pm EDT April 16 to April 23, 2024

The Center for Fiction

The ‘With Book’ option includes a copy of the title required for this course at an additional 10% discount from our Bookstore.

Meeting Dates:
4/16 & 4/23
In Person at The Center

Truman Capote was born on September 24, 1924—100 years ago. He died in 1984, just as he was turning 60. He twice won the O. Henry Memorial Short Story Prize and was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. “Miriam” was his first short story, published in 1945 in Harpers Bazaar and attracting much attention. “A Tree of Night” was published in a collection of stories in 1949. In 1951 his novel, The Grass Harp, was published to much acclaim. Although it was described as being “too sentimental,” most agree it was Capote’s favorite personal work.

The first evening we will discuss the two short stories. The second evening we will discuss the novel and enjoy Prosecco and a birthday cake to celebrate Capote’s 100th Birthday. All readings are included in The Grass Harp: Including A Tree of Night and Other Stories.

Session I: “Miriam” and “A Tree of Night”
Session II: The Grass Harp

What to expect from this reading group: Capote’s writing is lyrical and poetic. While he is remembered for In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, his short stories have a mystical sensibility that is worth reconsidering.

Led by

Elizabeth Howard

Elizabeth Howard

Elizabeth Howard grew up with a passion for books and reading. She received the Tilton Essay Award for outstanding expression in her writing when she was sixteen. Her articles related to communication and marketing have appeared in European Communications, Investor Relations, Law Firm Marketing & Profit Report, Communication World, The Strategist and the New York Law Journal, among others. Her books include Queen Anne’s Lace and Wild Blackberry Pie (Thornwillow Press, 2011), A Day with Bonefish Joe (David Godine, 2015) and Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back (Easton Studio Press, 2016). She is the producer and host of the Short Fuse podcast, conversations with artists, writers, musicians and others whose art reveals our communities through their lens and stirs us to seek change.

About this series

Reading Groups

Whether you’re looking to catch up on great novels or you’re interested in exploring a new writer or literary period, our reading groups offer high-level literary discussion led by experts in the field.

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