Scan barcode
perksofbeingabiblophile's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.25
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
5.0
This trio of novels kept me going at bedtime for months. I adored jumping into the 'safe European home' of Tom Ripley and his cast of characters. He's an evil little protagonist, and one I thoroughly enjoyed rooting for. The reason I latched onto these books so much (in addition to the murders and fun!) was the oddly simplistic yet luxurious way the characters are able to jump on an airplane from Paris to Zurich, then to Rome, then London, then Venice, and on and on (of course disposing of bodies along the way...). It's so civilized to live in a small Italian village without a refrigerator, spending each night with the locals or on the beach. Or to have a villa outside of Paris where you, your wife, your maid and cook, and the harpsichord you just purchased can take tea and brandy whenever you like. Of course, be careful to keep your lies straight for the police. I wish Highsmith had written dozens of these, because I don't think I'd tire of Mr. Ripley or his lifestyle.
commonprongs's review against another edition
4.0
me acabo de quedar loquísima con lo listo que es tom y la potra que tiene, ademas es mazo inesperado el final, al menos lo ha sido para mi. de hecho es inesperado el libro entero
me lo he devorado me ha encantado
me lo he devorado me ha encantado
veryrealpanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
trop_de_livres's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
I ADORED this.
Tom Ripley is living in 1950s NYC, getting by through mooching off people and trying to con others. One evening at a bar, a man approaches him - Tom panics thinking it’s a cop who’s on to him. But no, it’s just the father of one of his acquaintances, a rich shipping magnate who wonders if Tom might be just the person to convince his wayward son to return to the US after months in Europe. Thus starts our tale of lies, International travel, jealousy, repressed desire, class, American expats, and murder.
Why did I wait so many years to read this book? Highsmith’s prose and my brain are on the same wavelength it seems; it was effortless and thrilling to read. She was a genius.
I was amazed by how she succeeded in creating this anti-hero. You begin to empathize with him and then become repelled by realizing that you yourself might have similar dark thoughts and emotions somewhere deep inside. It feels ahead of its time in the mature themes and anti-social inner workings of Tom’s mind.
Highsmith’s beautiful, concise prose captured the different settings so perfectly that I could feel the sun on my skin and taste the martinis. So visceral it feels like I just got back from a trip to Italy.
Tom Ripley is living in 1950s NYC, getting by through mooching off people and trying to con others. One evening at a bar, a man approaches him - Tom panics thinking it’s a cop who’s on to him. But no, it’s just the father of one of his acquaintances, a rich shipping magnate who wonders if Tom might be just the person to convince his wayward son to return to the US after months in Europe. Thus starts our tale of lies, International travel, jealousy, repressed desire, class, American expats, and murder.
Why did I wait so many years to read this book? Highsmith’s prose and my brain are on the same wavelength it seems; it was effortless and thrilling to read. She was a genius.
I was amazed by how she succeeded in creating this anti-hero. You begin to empathize with him and then become repelled by realizing that you yourself might have similar dark thoughts and emotions somewhere deep inside. It feels ahead of its time in the mature themes and anti-social inner workings of Tom’s mind.
Highsmith’s beautiful, concise prose captured the different settings so perfectly that I could feel the sun on my skin and taste the martinis. So visceral it feels like I just got back from a trip to Italy.
julianam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anoop_variam's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed reading all three stories in one book. It was thrilling, mysterious and a lot of suspense. I would highly recommend if you are a lover of thriller books
minerva_magician's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
charliepritchard1996's review against another edition
5.0
'He felt blameless and free, despite the fact that he consciously controlled every move he made.'
Here lies the intrigue of Highsmith's anti-hero, Tom Ripley. In this fantastic Everyman's Library trilogy, Highsmith's Ripliad plays out with beautiful fluidity; each story suspenseful and sublime in their own right.
The first novel of the trilogy is as exotic as it is intriguing. The narrative was electrifying, superbly evoking some of Europe's most picturesque cities, yet it was juxtaposed by Ripley's sordid behaviour. Ripley is a man without a plan, but his adaptability and scheming talent keeps us hooked throughout. Ripley's love for Italy and seamless slinking from hotel to hotel make him an appealing, stylish protagonist. Highsmith achieved something special by retaining Ripley's charismatic appeal despite his innate immorality.
Graham Greene memorably said of Highsmith that she is a poet of apprehension. To refer to Grey Gowrie's introduction of the hardback for the Ripliad, the issue of guilt is at the forefront of Ripley's adventures. Gowrie questions whether Tom's leisurely life in the second and third novels leaves him with a lack of adrenalin, hence the petty scams and full-blown murders.
In Highsmith's Ripliad, moral characters are few are far between. Even the minority of characters with a conscience fail to slip through the net of Ripley's conniving and seedy endeavours. For his victims, Ripley is a man who tempts and destroys. Seen by some as a psychopath, Ripley is still capable of understanding the feelings of others, something which Gowrie points out and in retrospect, appears the most fascinating aspect of his character.
Highsmith herself spoke about the juxtaposition between the frenetic prose of the Ripliad and Ripley's own self-assuredness. "I often have the feeling Ripley was writing it and I was merely typing." Highsmith did not believe that there was anything spectacular about the plots of the Ripley novels and that readers were enthralled by Ripley's insolence and audacity. He is not a "monotonous or stupidly brutal" character, which makes his adventures so intriguing.
Having not read any other Highsmith novels, I certainly look forward to dipping into her other stories. Gowrie claims that she ranks with Raymond Chandler among the greatest crime novelists of modern times. Indeed, her legacy is cemented by the Ripliad, and rightly so. There is doubtlessly so much more to appreciate aside from these novels. This hardback collection is definitely the best place to start, with a bizarre array of glamour, evil, and deceit to keep you attached to Ripley's fate with each turn of the page.
Here lies the intrigue of Highsmith's anti-hero, Tom Ripley. In this fantastic Everyman's Library trilogy, Highsmith's Ripliad plays out with beautiful fluidity; each story suspenseful and sublime in their own right.
The first novel of the trilogy is as exotic as it is intriguing. The narrative was electrifying, superbly evoking some of Europe's most picturesque cities, yet it was juxtaposed by Ripley's sordid behaviour. Ripley is a man without a plan, but his adaptability and scheming talent keeps us hooked throughout. Ripley's love for Italy and seamless slinking from hotel to hotel make him an appealing, stylish protagonist. Highsmith achieved something special by retaining Ripley's charismatic appeal despite his innate immorality.
Graham Greene memorably said of Highsmith that she is a poet of apprehension. To refer to Grey Gowrie's introduction of the hardback for the Ripliad, the issue of guilt is at the forefront of Ripley's adventures. Gowrie questions whether Tom's leisurely life in the second and third novels leaves him with a lack of adrenalin, hence the petty scams and full-blown murders.
In Highsmith's Ripliad, moral characters are few are far between. Even the minority of characters with a conscience fail to slip through the net of Ripley's conniving and seedy endeavours. For his victims, Ripley is a man who tempts and destroys. Seen by some as a psychopath, Ripley is still capable of understanding the feelings of others, something which Gowrie points out and in retrospect, appears the most fascinating aspect of his character.
Highsmith herself spoke about the juxtaposition between the frenetic prose of the Ripliad and Ripley's own self-assuredness. "I often have the feeling Ripley was writing it and I was merely typing." Highsmith did not believe that there was anything spectacular about the plots of the Ripley novels and that readers were enthralled by Ripley's insolence and audacity. He is not a "monotonous or stupidly brutal" character, which makes his adventures so intriguing.
Having not read any other Highsmith novels, I certainly look forward to dipping into her other stories. Gowrie claims that she ranks with Raymond Chandler among the greatest crime novelists of modern times. Indeed, her legacy is cemented by the Ripliad, and rightly so. There is doubtlessly so much more to appreciate aside from these novels. This hardback collection is definitely the best place to start, with a bizarre array of glamour, evil, and deceit to keep you attached to Ripley's fate with each turn of the page.