Truman Capote - Answered Prayers

"Answered Prayers" is an unfinished novel by Truman Capote. It was originally intended to be a full-length novel but was never completed. Instead, Capote published several excerpts from the novel as standalone stories in various magazines, causing controversy and straining his relationships with high society figures.

The book was meant to be a roman à clef, a thinly veiled fictionalization of real-life events and people, particularly those within the elite social circles Capote frequented. The title, "Answered Prayers," suggests a theme of divine retribution or justice for the characters' actions.

The most famous of the stories from "Answered Prayers" is "La Côte Basque 1965," which caused a considerable scandal upon its publication due to its thinly disguised portrayals of Capote's high-society friends and their scandals and secrets. Capote's decision to publish these stories led to a significant rift with many of the people he had been close to for years.

Truman Capote's "Answered Prayers" remains a curiosity in the literary world due to its unfinished nature and the controversy it generated. It provides a glimpse into the author's life and his willingness to expose the private lives of his friends and acquaintances, blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Ex library book - Hardcover