The Dogs Bark

This collection of reportage and essays published by Random House showcases Truman Capote's evolution from fiction writer to pioneering practitioner of literary journalism. The volume demonstrates Capote's sharp journalistic eye combined with his distinctive literary flair.

The collection includes Capote's travel writing, celebrity profiles, and social observations spanning his career. Pieces range from portraits of literary figures like Jane Bowles to travel essays about places like Morocco and Haiti. The work displays Capote's ability to capture character and atmosphere through precise observation and elegant prose style.

The collection represents Capote's important contribution to literary journalism. His technique of applying fictional narrative methods to factual material influenced subsequent generations of journalists and writers. The work demonstrates how reportage could achieve literary artistry without sacrificing journalistic accuracy.

Many pieces in the collection originally appeared in magazines like The New Yorker and Esquire, helping define the magazines' sophisticated approach to journalism. Capote's celebrity profiles helped establish the modern form of literary celebrity journalism. His travel writing influenced the development of literary travel writing as a distinct genre.