Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - The Talented Mr. Ripley

Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

6 reviews

singalana's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

I have seen the 1999 movie based on this book. However, I didn’t remember much from it, so I can’t really compare these two.

Patricia Highsmith is an interesting character who has written many novels, many of which dealt with homosexuality in some way. The Talented Mr. Ripley, the opening book of the Ripley series, is a mystery thriller, but it takes time to tell the story, so you’re not actually on the edge of your seat with this one.

Tom Ripley is sent to Italy to try to persuade a wayward Richard Greenleaf to return home to America. When in Italy, Ripley develops a taste for the lifestyle of Richard (Dickie). He’s desperate to hang on to this life and doesn’t stop at anything to keep his newfound freedom.

Ripley’s character is something to be mulled over. In many sources, he’s considered to be a sociopath, and he certainly displays traits that are related to these disorders. While Dickie and his close friend Marge live a very carefree life, Tom has struggled. Do people like Dickie appreciate enough the life they’ve been given?

Highsmith certainly brings Italy to life in this novel with her vivid description. However, I would have liked to have read a little more about Ripley’s reasoning behind his actions. As the noose began to tighten around him, I wish I could have gotten a bit more sense of urgency and danger.

It is an interesting story with interesting characters, but somehow, I felt it kept the reader at arm’s length, and I didn’t love it as much as I could have. Still, it is a solid read and a rare perspective.

Content Warnings

kimveach's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense slow-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

4.25

I've had this on my TBR list since the movie came out in 1999, and now I've finally read it. I doubt that I would have liked this book twenty-some years ago. It's a character study of Tom Ripley rather than a plot-heavy mystery, which I prefer. Having seen the movie, I was willing to give the book the time needed to appreciate the inner workings of Tom's mind.

I'm also looking forward to reading more Ripley books and some of her others.

Content Warnings