Harper West
Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's is a novella set in 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side. The story revolves around Holly Golightly, a unique and captivating character who has become an iconic symbol of American culture. With her wit, style, and naivete, Holly embodies the restless, madcap era of post-World War II Manhattan. The narrative is filled with larger-than-life characters, from millionaires to gangsters, all set against the backdrop of the city's vibrant social landscape. While the exact page count varies depending on the edition, the novella is known for its concise length, typically around 100 pages. This concise format allows Capote to craft a captivating story that explores the complexities of Holly's character and the diverse social circles she navigates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 100 |
| Author | Truman Capote |
| Genre | Novella |
| Publication year | 1958 |
| Film adaptation | 1961 |
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What You'll Learn
The novella is 100 pages long
The novella Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote is 100 pages long. It was originally sold to Harper's Bazaar for $2,000 and intended for publication in its July 1958 issue. The novella is set in 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side, in a brownstone apartment. The story centres around Holly Golightly, a free spirit with an almost elfish demeanour, whose name has entered the American idiom and whose style is a part of the literary landscape. Holly's wit and naivete continue to charm readers, and she has been described as an "archetypal American woman of the twentieth century".
The story begins when bartender Joe Bell and the narrator talk about Mr. Yunioshi's report that Holly had been living in Africa. Holly climbs through the narrator's window to escape a man she had come home with that night. She mentions the resemblance the narrator bears to her brother, Fred, and asks if she can call him that. The narrator, Fred, is a struggling writer who lives in the apartment below Holly's. He is captivated by his mysterious upstairs neighbour, who remains an enigma throughout the novella.
Holly's apartment is host to Martini-soaked parties, and she plays hostess to millionaires and gangsters alike. Despite her glamorous lifestyle, Holly dreams of finding a real-life place like Tiffany's that makes her feel at home. The novella's setting plays a significant role in the plot, with various wealthy characters from the Upper East Side coming in and out of Holly's life.
The ending of the novella differs significantly from the 1961 film adaptation. In the film, the protagonist and Holly fall in love and stay together, while in the novella, Holly leaves the United States, and the narrator never discovers her fate.
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Holly Golightly is the lead character
The story begins with Holly's neighbour and the novella's narrator recalling the night he meets Holly. She climbs through his window to escape a man she had come home with, and the two strike up a conversation. Holly mentions the resemblance the narrator bears to her brother, Fred, and asks if she can call him that. As the story progresses, Holly remains an enigma, even as she and the narrator, "Fred", develop a friendly, platonic relationship. The narrator is unsure of who Holly truly is—a Hollywood starlet, a hillbilly, a New York society girl, a prostitute, or a member of the mafia?
Holly's apartment is often the setting for Martini-soaked parties, and she plays hostess to millionaires and gangsters alike. Despite her glamorous lifestyle, Holly never loses sight of her ultimate dream: to find a real-life place like Tiffany's that makes her feel at home. Tiffany's is the only place that calms her when she feels anxious or overwhelmed.
The novella ends with Holly leaving the United States, and the narrator is left with no knowledge of what happened to her. The only clue to her whereabouts is a photograph of a wood carving found years later in Africa, which bears a striking resemblance to Holly.
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It was published in 1958
Breakfast at Tiffany's, a novella by Truman Capote, was originally published in 1958. It was first sold to Harper's Bazaar for $2,000 and was intended to be published in the July 1958 issue, accompanied by a series of photo montages by David Attie. However, the novella's publication in Harper's Bazaar was cancelled due to its language and subject matter being deemed "not suitable" by the Hearst Corporation, who were concerned about the potential reaction of Tiffany's, one of their major advertisers.
The novella is set in 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side, and follows a contemporary writer who recalls his early days in the city and his acquaintance with his neighbour, Holly Golightly. Holly is a free-spirited woman with an almost elfish demeanour, known for hosting Martini-soaked parties and welcoming millionaires and gangsters into her brownstone apartment. She is a mysterious and captivating character, with an air of naivete, wit, and poignancy that has charmed readers for generations.
The 1958 publication of Breakfast at Tiffany's marked a significant milestone in Capote's literary career, which began when he was just fourteen years old and started writing short stories, some of which were published. Capote rose to international prominence in 1948 with the publication of his debut novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms. Breakfast at Tiffany's further solidified his reputation as a master storyteller and is considered one of his most celebrated works, along with A Tree of Night, The Grass Harp, Summer Crossing, A Christmas Memory, and In Cold Blood.
The novella was later adapted into a major motion picture in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. While the film version made changes to the plot and characters, including a romantic storyline between Holly and the protagonist, the novella stands as a unique and captivating work of literature that has left an enduring impact on readers and critics alike.
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Truman Capote wrote it
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a novella written by Truman Capote and published in 1958. It is a story about two friends living in a Manhattan apartment building during World War II. The protagonist and narrator of the story, a contemporary writer, meets his remarkable neighbour, Holly Golightly, who climbs through his window one night. Holly is a free-spirited, almost elfish, young woman with wit and naïveté. She is a hostess to millionaires and gangsters and knows that "nothing bad can ever happen to you at Tiffany's".
Truman Capote was born in New Orleans in 1924 or 1925 and spent his childhood in various parts of the southern United States, including Alabama, Georgia, and New Orleans. By the age of fourteen, he had started writing short stories, some of which were published. After leaving school at fifteen, he worked for the New Yorker, which provided his first and last regular job. Capote spent two years on a Louisiana farm, where he wrote his debut novel, "Other Voices, Other Rooms", published in 1948. This novel brought him international prominence.
Capote lived in various places, including Greece, Italy, Africa, and the West Indies, and travelled to Russia and the Orient. He is the author of many highly praised books, including "A Tree of Night and Other Stories" (1949), "The Grass Harp" (1951), "In Cold Blood" (1965), "Music for Chameleons" (1980), and "Answered Prayers" (1986). Breakfast at Tiffany's falls within this body of celebrated work.
The novella was adapted into a major motion picture in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn and directed by Blake Edwards. However, the film version made significant changes to the plot and characters, including a romantic relationship between the protagonist and Holly, which does not exist in the novella. In the book, Holly simply leaves the United States, and the narrator never discovers what happened to her.
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It was adapted into a 1961 film
Truman Capote's novella *Breakfast at Tiffany's* was published in 1958 and adapted into a film in 1961. The film, starring Audrey Hepburn, is loosely based on the book, with significant changes made to the plot and characters.
The novella is set in 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side, and follows the narrator, a contemporary writer, as he recounts his early days in the city and his acquaintance with his enigmatic neighbour, Holly Golightly. Holly is a free-spirited young woman who hosts martini-soaked parties and mingles with millionaires and gangsters. She dreams of finding a place that makes her feel at home, like the iconic Tiffany's store.
The 1961 film adaptation sees Hepburn's Holly fall in love with the male protagonist, and they end up staying together. In contrast, the novella concludes with Holly leaving the United States, and the narrator is left wondering about her whereabouts. Capote had originally envisioned Marilyn Monroe as Holly but was unable to secure her for the role due to studio constraints.
The film also makes other significant omissions and changes to the plot and main character, reflecting the challenges of adapting a novella with mature themes and unique characters to the big screen. Despite these differences, the film captures the essence of Capote's seductive and wistful masterpiece, bringing to life the captivating Holly Golightly and the vibrant world she inhabits.
Breakfast at Tiffany's, both the novella and the film, have left an enduring mark on popular culture, with Holly Golightly's name and style becoming part of the American idiom.
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Frequently asked questions
The novella is 100 pages long.
*Breakfast at Tiffany's* is about a writer who recalls his time in New York City and his remarkable neighbour, Holly Golightly.
Truman Capote.
It was published in 1958.
