The Talented Patricia Highsmith #20 Books of Summer
Due to my recent trip to Italy, a number of titles in my #20 books of Summer list are connected to Italy in some way. The Talented Mr Ripley is no exception, set mainly in the coastal town of Mongibello, near Naples, but also Rome, Milan and Venice. I’m glad of the connection, as, having already seen the film of the book, and suffering a distinct aversion to books that bear film-related covers, under normal circumstance I might well have not bothered. This was my first Highsmith novel and while I’ve read glowing reviews, I had no idea what a thrilling treat I had in store.
The novel begins with Tom Ripley being approached by the father of a distant acquaintance, Dickie Greenleaf. Mr Greenleaf senior is desperate for his son to abandon his bohemian existence in Italy and return to the States, to a sensible job in the family business, and to his mother who is very sick. Thus far, all other avenues of persuasion have been fruitless. Ripley is both down on his luck and at a loose end, so, for the sake of the adventure, he agrees to go to Italy, even though he barely knows the young man in question.
Ripley duly arrives in Mongibello and introduces himself to Dickie and his friend, Marge, and manages to inviegle himself into their lives. As we follow Ripley’s actions, reactions, thoughts and feelings, it becomes apparent that he is deeply damaged, and we are witnessing the actions of a psychopath. He is willing to go to extreme lengths to protect his interests, even murder. We follow Ripley’s perspective throughout, and it makes for a tense and utterly gripping ride. What is most surprising is how charming and unassuming Ripley is. I found myself willing him to escape capture, despite the trail of heinous crimes left in his wake. I think that speaks volumes about the genius of the writer. In Ripley, Patricia Highsmith has created that rarest of things, a likable monster.
I can’t wait to read more of her books, and thankfully, after rooting around my bookshelves I’ve managed to unearth a few more titles to move to the top of my tbr. Best of all, one of them is another Ripley adventure.
Lucy
Sarah
I read The Talented Mr Ripley recently and last weekend was engrossed in Strangers on a Train. I still need to review that and might settle down to doing that tonight. Patricia Highsmith was a great discovery for me this year.
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I’m so glad I’ve finally discovered how great she is. I think the film put me off as it was ok, but not a patch on the book. I’ve just started ‘Ripley under Ground’ and it’s equally as good as the first Ripley. It’s wonderful discovering a new favourite author isn’t it? Especially when they’ve gone to the trouble of storing up a treasure trove of titles to keep us going for a very long time!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. It’s such a clever novel – as you say, utterly absorbing and gripping. I love the way Highsmith knows exactly how her readers will react to her characters – she encourages us to like these charming psychopaths and then uses that connection to great effect.
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It was brilliant! I’ve had to dive straight into the next one leaving all my summer reading plans dashed in its wake!
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I completely agree – you root for Ripley whist thinking ‘What am I doing?!’ It’s a brilliant piece of writing.
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She’s a genius! It takes great skill to create a memorable villain but to make him so likeable is extraordinary.
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There’s nothing better than discovering a new author and realizing that you own more of her books!
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Ain’t that the truth! I’ve had to dive straight into the next one ( and it’s every bit as good!)
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Shamefully I’ve read nothing by Highsmith – I really need to. This sounds gripping!!
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To be honest, the film of the book was so average I think that prevented me picking up any of Highsmith’s books. I’m so glad I changed my mind, her writing is blisteringly good!
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I recommend her short fiction too. Though some of it is darker than Ripley.
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Ooo that sounds very tempting! I shall definitely seek some out. 🙂
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Me too! Trying to flog the book by sticking the film on the front flies in the face of all that is good in the world! I’ve never read this but have seen the film, and though it was a while ago, I do remember enjoying it, and thinking the characters were satisfying complex. I’ll definitely add it to the list 🙂
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I’ve just been to the library for more of her books and I must confess to feeling slightly less outraged by grim film promo covers when Viggo is featured. Shallow, moi? 😉
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I really like her too.
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