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The Difficult Ghost

Searching for Truman Capote
By Leila Guerriero
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Brief Description
In 1960, Truman Capote arrived in the small town of Palamós on the Costa Brava. He'd hoped a short break from New York's social scene would help him finish the book he was writing about two young men convicted of a horrific murder. He wound up... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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An incisive, stylish exploration of how Truman Capote wrote In Cold Blood and the ethics of storytelling by a star non-fiction writer.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
In 1960, Truman Capote arrived in the small town of Palamós on the Costa Brava. He'd hoped a short break from New York's social scene would help him finish the book he was writing about two young men convicted of a horrific murder. He wound up staying in Europe for three years of agonising self-exile, wrestling with his haunting material, crafting a masterpiece, and waiting for the event that would allow him to finish it-the execution of those two men.

Following in Capote's footsteps in Palamós, celebrated journalist Leila Guerriero finds almost no trace of those turbulent years. As she sorts through a jumble of competing local accounts and blatant fabrications, she launches a dazzling enquiry into the curious afterlife of writing-and the dark complexities of turning life into literature.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781805333005

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 August 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pushkin Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Megan McDowell
  • Translated by Megan McDowell
  • Designed by Daniel Benneworth-Gray

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 160

Collections

Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Leila Guerriero Musicians, Movie Stars & Creative Biographies Non-Fiction

About the Author

Leila Guerriero is one of Latin America's most acclaimed journalists. Born in Junin in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her career at the magazine Página/30. Since then, her work has appeared in many international publications, including Rolling Stone, El País, La Nación and L'Internazionale. Her books include A Simple Story, also available from Pushkin Press, and the prize-winning, bestselling La llamada, which is forthcoming from Pushkin in 2026. Guerriero lives in Buenos Aires.

Megan McDowell is a Spanish-language literary translator from Kentucky. Her work includes books by Alejandro Zambra, Samanta Schweblin, Lina Meruane, Mariana Enríquez, Álvaro Bisama, Arturo Fontaine, and Juan Emar.

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