Reviews

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

pheebs_reads_'s review against another edition

I decided to get a head start on some of the books I will be studying next year in an English course, and this was the first on the list.

I had never heard of the novel or Tom Ripley before I started, and I made sure to enter my reading with a completely blank slate - even to the point of not reading the blurb! I was therefore rather shocked when Tom offs someone and the rest of the novel turns into a crime novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and managed to read it across only a couple of nights. I was fascinated by the character of Dickie just as much as Tom Ripley, and an earlier comment on Goodreads makes some interesting points about the homosexual tendencies which some of the characters seem to show but never truly address - hidden likely because of the time of writing. Tom's self-loathing to the point of wanting to become the man he supposedly has feelings for (feelings that may go beyond merely being jealous of his lifestyle) is a fascinating motive for a crime.

mintomillk's review against another edition

4.0

surprisingly funny, tightly woven, and masterfully written, Highsmith introduces Ripley to the stage of charming, ruthless, handsome protagonists and i am weak like a moth to the flame. Ripley absolutely scratches a familiar itch and honestly, i could fix him.

kt207's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

selinasel99's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

martinaruffov's review against another edition

4.0

nunca había querido tanto que a un protagonista LE SALGAN MAL LAS COSAS

leanne_who_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

isabellab12345678's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mayastone's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

iamatomato13's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

leedig's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25