A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

READ IT (AGAIN): Pair Capote’s “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” With A Gin Sour At 900 West

by George Giannakos and Robyn Yager | Slowing down a little and breaking out a good book is never a bad idea. But what to read? You could walk into any bookstore and roll the dice on a recent release, but here’s another option: pick up a book that you last put down 5, 10, or 20 years ago. For the next book in Scout’s Read It (Again) series, we’ve picked Truman Capote’s Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

“A girl doesn’t read this sort of thing without her lipstick” – yup, Holly Golightly speaks the truth. Most of the time. If you loved the movie you’ll dig the book. Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a testament to the writer’s relationship with the women in his life. Written in 1950 – with a slew of girls claiming to be the inspiration behind the quirky and glamorous playgirl, Holly Golightly – the story follows Fred and Holly in their year-long friendship.

Why you should read it again: It’s a story about that person who appears to have their shit together but on the inside they have just as many insecurities and worries as the rest of us. The effort they put into keeping up appearances is a symptom of their insecurity. That’s Holly Golightly. The novel demystifies the movie and helps buffs to better understand where and under what circumstances the film was created. “It was the most miscast film I’ve ever seen,” said Capote. “Holly Golightly was real – a tough character, not an Audrey Hepburn type at all. The film became a mawkish valentine to New York City and Holly, and, as a result, was thin and pretty, whereas it should have been rich and ugly.” Who knew!?

Pair it with: Truman Capote’s story calls for what he refers to as a White Angel: one half vodka, one half gin and no vermouth. Well, since Holly Golightly is not one to play by the rules I’m going to go ahead and change things up a bit and suggest a different gin cocktail, a Gin Sour. That’s gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and no vermouth. Sip yours and read a chapter in a cozy seat at the 900 West Lounge (in the Hotel Vancouver, just across the Burrard St. from Tiffany’s).

(If you have seventeen minutes of free time, listen to Truman Capote reading from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. One of my favourite parts is 3:35; Holly’s thoughts on Hemingway’s age. It’s a treat.)

OTHER CLASSIC PAIRINGS