A review by _verena_
The Talented Mr. Ripley (Penguin Readers Level 5) by Kevin Hinkle, Patricia Highsmith

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Tom looked behind him and saw the man coming out of the Green Cage...

- The Talented Mr. Ripley, p. 1

This is my first encounter with this cult classic. I have not seen the film or read another book of the series. The reason I got interested in it was that Emerald Fenning, the director of Saltburn said that this book was an inspiration (amongst others) to her when writing the screenplay. Another reason was, that I found it in an open bookshelf. 🙃

I realize this edition is not the original. I did enjoy it a lot though, and I totally understand why this is such a beloved cult classic. It is thrilling and lighthearted at the same time. Some parts are deeply ironic and there is certainly some class criticism in it (if intended or not, I don't know).

I did find some parts to be toooo constructed, especially I don't think Tom is "good" at being a criminal. 
Two examples: 
- Why doesn't "Dickie" (aka Tom) just break up with Marge to get rid of her? His life would be so much easier!
- Why didn't Tom just leave the country right after murdering Dickie? Would have saved him so much trouble!

In my opinion Tom is not that talented at all 🤷‍♀️

I did however enjoy the critique of consumerism, which I find very spot on. This way of seeing things as status symbols has become worse in our society since the first release of this novel. As long as you have a big car, house, expensive clothes, you ARE somebody. Regardless of how you obtained them, regardless of if you are in debt or hate your job, but stay in it, since it pays well and substains your lifestyle.

... He loved objects, not mountains of them, but a certain few that he wanted to keep. They gave a man respect for himself. The things he possessed reminded him that he existed, and made him enjoy his life. It was as simple as that. He existed. Dickie's money gave him the opportunity to see Greece, to collect whatever he wanted, to join art societies if he cared to, and to give money to their work... 

- The Talented Mr. Ripley, p. 67 ~ p. 68
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