Is In Cold Blood a violent crime novel?

[matthewgray]

In my opinion, there is an undeniable difference between a true crime novel like In Cold Blood and a violent fiction book that centers on crime, such as The Gril With the Dragon Tattoo. Of course, the obvious difference is the basis in reality vs fiction, but the contrast runs deeper than that. A violent fiction novel generally focuses on the crime itself, and builds up suspense to finding out who the killers are and how they are caught, but a true crime novel usually reveals the criminals right away, replacing the suspense of finding this out with an analysis of the motives of the killers and insights into the minds of both the perpetrators and those who are trying to catch them. The excitement of fast-paced fiction is replaced by a psychologically intriguing basis in real events and how others in our world think and act.

[annacarter]

In keeping with the example of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, in violent fiction books, committing a violent crime does not necessarily condemn the character as evil or the antagonist. Lisbeth, the main character in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, violates, humiliates, and brands her attacker and rapist, and this scene is graphically described. In true crime novels, the characters who commit that level of violence are almost always the criminals, the people you are rooting against. I was not rooting for Dick or Perry at any time during In Cold Blood. In the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, however, though I wasn't comfortable with Lisbeth's actions, I didn't feel like it made her a horrible person, like Dick and Perry. Now this may be because Lisbeth attacked a person who had assaulted and raped her, and I felt little sympathy for him, but I think it was also because it is easier for fiction writers to justify the violent behaviors of their characters because they have complete access and understanding to the character's motivations and background. True crime novels, even extremely well researched ones, can never reach that level of understanding, so it is more difficult for people to empathize with the characters in true crime novels.