Other Voices, Other Rooms: chapters 1-4

      For this blog, I read chapters 1-4 from the book “Other Voices, Other Rooms” by Truman Capote. The main characters so far in this book are Sam Radcliffe, Joel Harrison Knox, Idabel Thompkins, Miss Roberta, Jesus Fever, Florabel, Romeo, Mr. Sansom, and Amy Skully. The setting takes place in  multiple cities. It first starts off in Paradise Chapel, New Orleans, then heads to Noon City, to then go to Skully’s Landing.


     At the beginning of the story, Joel Harrison Knox is trying to get a ride to Noon City to love with his father. To get to Noon City though, there is only one way to get there. Once a week. This way is by getting a ride with Sam Radcliffe. Sam only goes to Noon City once a week and this is how a lot of people get there. Sam ends up bringing Joel to the city. Joel then meets Miss Roberta at R.V Lacey’s Princely Palace. Meets Idabel, and catches another ride from Romeo, who brings Joel to Jesus Fever, who was sent by Amy Skully, to pick up Joel and bring him to his fathers house in Skully’s Landing. As the next morning arrives, Joel is greeted by Amy, who he calls Miss Amy, in a strange way. He is woken up by her killing a blue bird. She then continues to tell him that there is no indoor plumbing and no electricity. After Joel asks to see his dad, Miss Amy ignores him and his question. Miss Amy then introduces Joel to the cook who is Jesus Fever’s granddaughter. She asks him to attend a prayer meeting with Jesus and her. Joel asks to see his father again, and Miss Amy answers with that his father isn’t well and that she will ask him if he is ready to see Joel. Joel continues to talk to Missouri, who is now called Zoo. Joel asks about his father, Zoo also ignores him.  He is then told to go and ask Mr. Randolph, Joel’s cousin. Joel then is confused as to where Miss Amy is, and cannot find her anywhere. Joel goes to the prayer meeting. Zoo  reveals her scar on her neck, Joel runs off scared and horrified of the scar then falls into a ditch. He is picked up and it starts to rain outside. When they get back inside, Joel has an alcoholic drink with Randolph, and Randolph hits and slaps Amy after Joel is told the story about the scar on Zoo’s neck. Now, Joel is scarred and confused as to why this is all occurring. Joel once again asks about his dad, Randolph answers with that he can see him once he is settled in. He also asks if “the lady” is real and Randolph answers with that he knows who she is, and that he knows her very well, but is a ghost to him.



       I chose to reflect on this because I liked that it made me feel uncomfortable and eerie. I also liked that it turned dark very fast and that it became weird. For example, it gave me a weird feeling once Randolph hit and slapped Miss Amy. It seemed weird as to why a man would be hitting a woman. I have a thought that Randolph is superior to Amy, and that he has power over her and the landing, even though her name is on it. In the end, I liked the feeling of these sections and I liked the authors tone and how it related to the setting and plot.