The Talented Mr Ripley
Ratings108
Average rating3.9
The first of the acclaimed Ripley novels, this clever psychological thriller introduces the reader to Tom Ripley and his extraordinary modus operandi. Accepting a commission from a wealthy businessman to travel to Italy in an attempt to convince his wayward son to return to the United States, Ripley gradually develops a plan to assume the young man’s identity along with his bank account.
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5 primary books#1 in Ripley
Ripley is a 5-book series with 5 released primary works first released in 1955 with contributions by Patricia Highsmith.
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There is an awful temptation to overrate this book. It has all the qualities of a literary novel, especially the penetrating psychological insight. It is extremely well-written, closely and carefully plotted and you feel that you come to know Tom Ripley. All of that is very laudable. It also features some cutting observations of the manners and mores of the upper-class Americans in Europe in the 50???s. Ultimately, however, it is about a con man and murderer, and although it has a commentary to make about the culture and morality of the time, it has limited ???literary merit???. I will read more Highsmith, but I rate her as an accomplished and exceptional crime writer, but not as one who transcends the form and becomes a literary novelist.
None of the characters are very interesting, particularly Tom Ripley. I'm amazed that there are several sequels to this book.
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