Breakfast at Tiffany's

By: Truman Capote

Narrated by: Michael C. Hall

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Golden Globe-winning actor Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under) performs Truman Capote's provocative, naturalistic masterstroke about a young writer's charmed fascination with his unorthodox neighbor, the "American geisha" Holly Golightly. Holly - a World War II-era society girl in her late teens - survives via socialization, attending parties and restaurants with men from the wealthy upper class who also provide her with money and expensive gifts. Over the course of the novella, the seemingly shallow Holly slowly opens up to the curious protagonist, who eventually gets tossed away as her deepening character emerges.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote's most beloved work of fiction, introduced an independent and complex character who challenged audiences, revived Audrey Hepburn's flagging career in the 1961 film version, and whose name and style has remained in the national idiom since publication. Hall uses his diligent attention to character to bring our unnamed narrator’s emotional vulnerability to the forefront of this American classic.

©1950, 1951, 1956, 1958, 1978, 1979, 1984 Truman Capote. Copyright renewed 1986 by Alan U. Schwartz (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Michael C. Hall] uses his diligent attention to character to bring our unnamed narrator's emotional vulnerability to the forefront of this American classic.... I felt content and comfortable in Hall's hands as the tale unfolded. He did a wonderful job giving each character voice, especially that of Holly." (Caffeinated Book Reviewer)

Wow, this man could write! Incredible novella!

Enjoying a book from a fabulous writer can really highlight the weaknesses of other authors, though it's really an unfair comparison because genius writers are rare jewels. I think Capote was a genius writer, though he wrote relatively little in his lifetime (more's the shame). The two most popular are both in Audible: In Cold Blood (read it in print) and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

This is not the movie, with the lovable, streetwise yet naive, party girl who entrances every man she meets. This Holly Golightly is a selfish teenaged schemer, who works hard at attracting and entrancing wealthy older men so they will pay for her lifestyle.....yet somehow earns the affection of the men in her life she is not trying to captivate. They see in her some of what they wish they could be: untamed by society's rules and expectations, unburdened by any sense of responsibility and so able to experience so much more of life. The fact that Holly disappeared into the world without much of a trace allows those who remember her to paint some of their memories with a bit of a rosy hue and a sense of hope for her unknown future.

While many have said wonderful things about the narration by Michael C. Hall, I found it to be just average. Not bothersome, but certainly not anything I'll make a point of searching for in the future. In fact, his narration kept me from buying this audiobook at full price, and it wasn't until it was on sale that I felt it was a worthwhile purchase.

Fantastic

Better than the movie. I’m glad the narration was read as written and not editorialized to reflect current sensitivities.

Lovely, warped novella

I had high expectations for Breakfast at Tiffany's, In Cold Blood being one of my favorite books of all time. It did not disappoint. The story is engaging - like a train wreck you can't stop watching. Michael C. Hall nails the narrator, Fred - a fellow who is observant, nosy, with an active mind but incredibly lazy and passive nonetheless. And, if nothing, it's worth it to read this novella to introduce yourself to the infamous Holly Golightly.

I need to listen to this again

Any additional comments?

I have to listen to this book again because even though it was only a couple months ago, I already forget a lot about what happened. But it’s a worth while read and very well done by Michael C. Hall who has always had an oxymoronic aggressively masculine yet fey kind of voice which creates a nice kind of tension and atmosphere for Holly Golightly’s world. Every guy has a Holly Golightly somewhere in his life, especially if he has spent any time at all in the creative community. I love that Capote showed her warts and all because in these kinds of stories...well I don’t want to get into anything that might be misinterpreted because I’m not saying something clearly enough. Suffice to say this is a real love story that is full of inanity, passion/obsession, wonder, desperation, cruelty and unrequited fantasy and heartbreak that most of us go through. I’m not sure Capote even meant this story as a love story or not. I think it is though. I feel like a lot of girls see the movie and kind of want to emulate Holly Golightly. I never saw the movie so I don’t know how she is portrayed there. But I’m glad the story shows that people get hurt, even Holly herself, and that while she is a beautiful curiosity, probably she isn’t something to be aspired to be like or desire, ha. Yet I’m sure guys will always love the Holly Golightly’s and girls will always want to be her, at least the movie image of her. I realize this isn’t quite a review of the book, apologies. I felt like writing about what I remember feeling at the time while reading.

Marvelous

Michael C. Hall is outstanding by giving each character their own voice. I cried at the end.

Holly GoLightly Travels

A classic. Holly’s tale is that of someone who may never settle into life’s wash of everyday. Excitement rules, true or fake, a true fake in life, she doesn’t completely reveal herself.
People are Drawn to Holly, she’s free, she takes and even tries to give a little back.
A tale of a free spirit.
I enjoyed this book, the odd crew of characters and the drawing of a person never completely true to herself, life is an adventure.

Capote On Point

Capote is a boss. Excellent Gatsby-esque novel that doesn't overstay its welcome. Michael C Hall does a good narration but I feel his Southern accent for Holly is misguided, considering she's supposed to have an unidentifiable accent. [AUDIBLE]

Preferred it to the movie, to be honest

Like I said in the title, I preferred this version to the movie version. At the very least, this one doesn't have Mickey Rooney in it.

Michael C. Hall has a Career

Michael C. Hall has a career as an audiobook narrator. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was a pleasure to listen to from the star of Dexter. He should narrate more titles. Maybe something darker and longer next time.

As for the short story, I can't remembered if I seen the movie, but for $1.95 the book was good enough. I'm not going to analyze the social status of the main character because there are many other reviewers that dissect this story from Truman Capote.

Classic story time with Dexter

Breakfast at Tiffany's read in many different character voices by Dexter. Marvelous! Need I say more?!