A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote 46 p 0679800409

Truman Capote is probably best known for his iconic novella, Breakfast at Tiffany's (later adapted to the poignant Audrey Hepburn film and recently resurfaced as a song by Deep Blue Something), the bestseller, In Cold Blood (which also became a film) or his larger than life somewhat outrageous persona. This is the perfect time to rediscover his charming childhood stories A Christmas Memory and A Thanksgiving Visitor, both have been reissued as lushly illustrated children's books. Both look at the relationship he had with an elderly cousin and are set around their respective holidays. The relative is large-hearted and has a generous nature although she is cursed with limited funds. A Christmas Memory is about their annual custom of baking fruitcakes for cherished friends, loved ones as well as personal heroes like President Roosevelt and the Baptist missionary to Borneo who passed through their town the previous winter. Their fruit making world is small: the two of them and Queenie, her dog.It is not just a matter of opening a box and mixing a cake. They have to find hard-earned pennies (one summer they earned a penny for every twenty five flies they killed!), nickles and dimes to purchase needed ingredients (including home brew!). Charming and bittersweet -- you don't have to enjoy fruitcake to like this book.