0361 | The Talented Mr Ripley | Patricia Highsmith
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Context: While reading this the 1001 App Facebook page got it’s 100th like. |
REVIEW
Wow! This was some page-turner. Once you’re in there’s no escape, you just can’t wait to see how it’s going to turn out.
A bit like Never Let Me Go or The Reader, there’s very little you can say about this without giving the game away. And, just like those books, I was sucked in to the writing.
Tom Ripley is a classic character. I’m surprised that he isn’t more widely known. While he does deplorable things, you can’t help but like him somehow. He’s so human, and yet so cunning. Every time he tries his luck, you’re sure that it’s going to be a step too far. Sometimes it is… or is it? I’m not telling!
The novel is set mostly in Italy. It was nice to be back there after Where Angels Fear to Tread. In fact, although it’s not Italy but Greece, the novel reminded me a lot of The Magus even though the latter is much more of a masterpiece than Ripley. It had just enough of a tint of darkness about it I suppose.
I’ve heard that Highsmith went on to write a whole series involving Mr Ripley. If I come across them, I’d definitely give them a go on the basis of this one.
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RATING
Key: Legacy | Plot / toPic | Characterisation / faCts | Readability | Achievement | Style Read more about how I come up with my ratings