Reviews

Inocência Perversa by Patricia Highsmith

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hadeanstars's review against another edition

4.0

I've always had a soft spot for Patricia Highsmith novels, ever since my stepfather introduced me to the Ripley novels when I was a teenager, which I loved. Highsmith is a very good writer whose novels seem to have a common theme of guilt and innocence and how these two justicial poles can become confused. This novel is no exception: and it details the spiralling dynamics of an innocent man who, through ineptitude, misplaced trust and ofttimes, rank stupidity, increasingly becomes arraigned with the vestments of guilt. It is quite horrifying to behold, and great fun to read. This is a fairly easy novel to connect with, although written in the early 50s, it's a little old-fashioned. But that is only part of its charm.

madfil's review against another edition

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4.0

(23 October, 2023)

Starts with a bang and ends with a whimper, but of an ambiguous, I-don't-hate-it kind. A crazy murder begets another murder... or does it?

No one suspects the murderer, Kimmel, till Walter Stackhouse blunders into his life. It's a real clusterfuck how the whole thing unfolds.

Walter is the victim of emotional abuse from Clara, his bitch wife. She's horrendous to him and to most of their friends, it's disgusting. What's a guy to do? The fun for the reader starts when Walter's life goes from bad marriage to criminal thoughts to "How the fuck did I get here?". He got there because he is a naïve simpleton, that's how!

Highsmith makes Walter's descent into madness believable and relatable, baby-stepping all the way down, it's a masterstroke! Her portrayal of police brutality stretches what would be admissible in court but this is set in the 50s, so I just skipped thinking about too much. Her depiction of Kimmel is less well done, his own descent is a bit abrupt. His story is still compelling but it feels like the author lost her way with him, as she also did with Corby and Ellie.

While the ending is unsatisfying, it might be done on purpose. In a way, it shows how someone can hit rock bottom and still keep going down.

ccath's review against another edition

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4.0

liked it but it's weird how it all ends, I don't know maybe I was hoping for something else...

supreeth's review against another edition

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4.0

Walter is an idiot. Kimmel is a psychopath. Corby is a delusional bastard. Clara is psychotic vindictive irksome woman. Ellie is just okay-ish. It's just that Patricia Highsmith can write and keep you reading.

clarbineds's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

prested's review against another edition

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3.0

For as long as Walter Stackhouse has known his wife, Clara, he had loved her but as their marriage goes on he struggles to stay in love with her and instead fantasies about her death.
As they struggle with their marriage, Clara is discovered dead in a eerily similar way to another woman who died recently.
As Walter is scrutinized by his community he commits several blunders that have people wondering if he actually did kill his wife.
After all, he is acting like a guilty man so he must be guilty, no?
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TW: Police brutality
I mostly enjoyed this story.
I found it fascinating how Highsmith had Walter and Kimmel parallel each other at times.
The ending was shocking but at the same time expected?
This wasn't one of Highsmith's stronger suspense novel perhaps because the detective was unrealistic and clown-ish at times and he was the main antagonist.
It was a good listen however.