
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote was first published in 1958 and the paperback I own has three short stories in it too. In fact Breakfast at Tiffany’s itself is really a novella and is quite different from the film.
Although I enjoyed the book I think I love the film, maybe it’s just because of Audrey Hepburn’s performance in it, but the film does have another layer of storyline to it. In the book Holly Golightly’s neighbour ‘Fred’ doesn’t have a relationship with a wealthy woman and that aspect to the film was important to point out double standards.
Truman Capote was a life-long friend of Harper Lee and I believe that Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird was based on the young Capote. It seems quite incredible doesn’t it?!
The short stories in this volume are:
House of Flowers
A Diamond Guitar
A Christmas Memory
I enjoyed the last of them the most.
Below are ten things that you may not know about the film.
http://www.vogue.com/13257887/audrey-hepburn-birthday-breakfast-at-tiffanys/
I was trying to put together a list of Christmas Classics yesterday and added “A Christmas Memory”; I’m glad you enjoyed that one best, Katrina.
The link is really interesting; almost all the facts were new to me. Can you imagine Marilyn playing Holly?! I want to watch the film again now. And read the book. (I’ve had to adjust my Classics list to squeeze it in!)
Sandra,
I’m always adjusting my classics list!
I have the film on DVD, but don’t often get around to watching it. I was very surprised that Marilyn had been wanted for the part, I just can’t imagine her in it, Audrey was just perfect. Mind you I liked Marilyn, just a completely different type though – and she was a great reader, but used and abused by men – sadly.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite films, too, and I adore Audrey Hepburn. She’s always so elegant, no matter what role. I enjoyed the facts about the film that you linked to.
Joan,
Audrey is one of my favourites, as you say, very elegant and what I call a real star.
The movie had to alter the book or it would never have been made back then. Censorship standards were far to strict to permit a book about a gay man (Fred) crushing on a call girl (Holly.) I always figured Fred to be semi-autobiographical for Capote. I adore Audrey Hepburn, but my favorite role of hers was Sabrina.
Pearl,
I’m sure it was semi-autobiographical. I also have Sabrina on DVD – I love Bogie so it’s a real treat for me.
I always think that Breakfast at Tiffany’s was set in the 1960s, to me the film’s setting looks much more modern than the 1940s, the difference between the US and the UK maybe. Probably the car designs would tell a tale. Mind you I know a few gay chaps who have relationships of a sort with well off older women!