lmarsden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abisometimesreads's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful read! I get now why people call Patricia Highsmith the 'Queen of Suspense' because, plot-wise, this book is VERY straightforward – everything you expect to happen does, and there are very few 'twists' – but what keeps you invested is the anticipation for what you know is to come, and the tension that builds as the characters and their crimes are revealed one agonising detail at a time. That, along with the fun premise, the psychological complexity of the characters, a harrowing depiction of psychological terrorism and some blatantly homoerotic subtext that arguably becomes textual, makes this a really thrilling, easy read.
I very nearly gave it five stars, but there were a couple of places I couldn't jive with the characterisation or values. Highsmith seems to believe all people have latent homicidal tendencies and Guy is simply realising his, which is why he makes certain choices. But I could only see Guy as a relatively good person stuck in a bad situation, so his poor choices just felt illogical and annoying. There were so many points where he could have stopped everything, and I guess we're supposed to believe he didn't because, deep down, he's more like Bruno than he admits? But I don't believe that, so I just had to suspend disbelief and accept that his flimsy excuses for not going to the police felt monumental to him.
In addition, the way Guy's inner monologue occasionally resulted in long, philosophical passages about the nature of human beings and how good and evil or love and hate exist in all of us, sometimes – especially towards the end – started to kill the suspense and drag things down.
Regardless, I really enjoyed this rumination on guilt, obsession and the 'law of society compared to the law of conscience', as Guy would put it. I'll definitely read more of Highsmith, but I plan to (finally) pick up Carol next, which should be quite a departure.
I very nearly gave it five stars, but there were a couple of places I couldn't jive with the characterisation or values. Highsmith seems to believe all people have latent homicidal tendencies and Guy is simply realising his, which is why he makes certain choices. But I could only see Guy as a relatively good person stuck in a bad situation, so his poor choices just felt illogical and annoying. There were so many points where he could have stopped everything, and I guess we're supposed to believe he didn't because, deep down, he's more like Bruno than he admits? But I don't believe that, so I just had to suspend disbelief and accept that his flimsy excuses for not going to the police felt monumental to him.
In addition, the way Guy's inner monologue occasionally resulted in long, philosophical passages about the nature of human beings and how good and evil or love and hate exist in all of us, sometimes – especially towards the end – started to kill the suspense and drag things down.
Regardless, I really enjoyed this rumination on guilt, obsession and the 'law of society compared to the law of conscience', as Guy would put it. I'll definitely read more of Highsmith, but I plan to (finally) pick up Carol next, which should be quite a departure.
dcmr's review
3.0
I can see how this story would inspire a movie, but as a book it was rather tedious.
chasejon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
The premise of this book was fascinating, but I think the pacing and narration style made it a slow read. At times, the narrator would switch between one perspective, to another perspective, to omniscient, which made the overall narrative difficult to track.
The horror of the story, though, was certainly present. Very dark feel to the book - as the characters lose their minds with guilt, you as the reader feel caught up in a whirlwind of stress and paranoia. However, as the characters lose their minds, the thought process (and therefore the plot) become a bit obscure. Slow, enjoyable read, but not one I would revisit.
The horror of the story, though, was certainly present. Very dark feel to the book - as the characters lose their minds with guilt, you as the reader feel caught up in a whirlwind of stress and paranoia. However, as the characters lose their minds, the thought process (and therefore the plot) become a bit obscure. Slow, enjoyable read, but not one I would revisit.
pisspeacefrog's review
5.0
This may well be the best book I have ever read. That jaw-dropping and so brilliantly executed ending must be one of the greatest endings to a book, ever.
anna_pardo's review against another edition
3.0
La verdad es que esperaba algo más, pero aún así ba conseguido sorprenderme en alguna ocasión. Me ha gustado :)
novelesque_life's review against another edition
5.0
5 STARS
What if you met a stranger who offered to kill someone you detested in return you kill their person of hatred - what would you do? Add a twist...what if they went ahead and killed that person for you?
Highsmith's brilliant writing still has me thinking about this novel and story. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader.
What if you met a stranger who offered to kill someone you detested in return you kill their person of hatred - what would you do? Add a twist...what if they went ahead and killed that person for you?
Highsmith's brilliant writing still has me thinking about this novel and story. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader.
xxertz's review against another edition
2.0
It amazes me how different relationships are now compared to in the past, but romantic and platonic. I enjoyed the action of this book, but was not too thrilled about the mental deterioration. Its important to life, yet rather boring to read.