Since his debut in 1955, Tom Ripley has evolved into the ultimate bad boy sociopath, influencing countless novelists and filmmakers. In this first novel, we are introduced to suave, handsome Tom Ripley: a young striver, newly arrived in the heady world of Manhattan in the 1950s. A product of a broken home, branded a “sissy” by his dismissive Aunt Dottie, Ripley becomes enamored of the moneyed world of his new friend, Dickie Greenleaf. This fondness turns obsessive when Ripley is sent to Italy to bring back his libertine pal but grows enraged by Dickie’s ambivalent feelings for Marge, a charming American dilettante. A dark reworking of Henry James’s The Ambassadors, The Talented Mr. Ripley—is up to his tricks in a 90s film and also Rene Clement’s 60s film, “Purple Noon.”
THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY
Patricia Highsmith
(1955)
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
Welcome to my reading project for the year. I set a goal at the beginning of 2023 to read a classic piece of literature every week this year, totaling hopefully at least 50 completed reviews by the end of the year.
I started with THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY for no particular reason at all. My comfort level for this one is pretty high as it was written more recently of the classics on my list. Maybe that was reason enough.
I loved the characterization and hated the characters.
That about sums it up for me in one sentence. I felt surrounded by these three characters that I loathed. Almost like I was one of four swimmers who went out too far only to start drowning and clawing at each other to stay afloat.
It felt claustrophobic.
The characters are flawless. And reading about them is akin to watching a spectacle. They are intricate and detailed, thoroughly thought out, and well-formed.
However, there is not a lot of plot. Tom, Dickie, and Marge’s day consists of no alarm clocks, lunch with lots of wine, beach lounging, waking up in the mid-day sun, getting ready for dinner, and more wine, followed by a sunset cruise off of the coast of Naples.
The enjoyment is of course in the character of Mr. Ripley. Tom Ripley is a talented con man. Sent on a mission by the farreaching father of Dickie Greenleaf to bring Dickie back home from Italy, where his father would like him best.
Dickie agrees and sets sail across the ocean on a voyage of actualization. Turning him into the man he was always meant to become.
I loved this one and I’m so glad I started here. The material is very approachable and it felt good to have finally read it. Oh, to be a con man before DNA and the internet, CCTV, and social media. It must’ve been so much more fun. The exploits of Tom Ripley would not have been the same in these current days and that added to the charm and antiquity.
I felt like I was reading the first thriller.
My next pick is a more traditional piece of classic fiction. Hope to see you next Friday when I tell you my thoughts on THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Henry James.
Classics reading tip# 2: Listen to an audiobook and follow along to an ebook copy or physical copy.
THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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