The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley, #1)
by Patricia Highsmith
Pages: 288
Publication Date June 4th 2012
Source: Audible
Genres: Thriller
Goodreads

Since his debut in 1955, Tom Ripley has evolved into the ultimate bad boy sociopath, influencing countless novelists and filmmakers. In this first novel, we are introduced to suave, handsome Tom Ripley: a young striver, newly arrived in the heady world of Manhattan in the 1950s. A product of a broken home, branded a "sissy" by his dismissive Aunt Dottie, Ripley becomes enamored of the moneyed world of his new friend, Dickie Greenleaf. This fondness turns obsessive when Ripley is sent to Italy to bring back his libertine pal but grows enraged by Dickie's ambivalent feelings for Marge, a charming American dilettante. A dark reworking of Henry James's The Ambassadors, The Talented Mr. Ripley—is up to his tricks in a 90s film and also Rene Clement's 60s film, "Purple Noon."

What to Expect

• A suspenseful mind-bender
• Pictures of Matt Damon dancing in your head
• Wickedly good writing
• Oh No He Didn’t!

 

Quick Thoughts

The Talented Mr. Ripley was well written and was very suspenseful. Unfortunately, because I had seen the movie, the shock of some of the plot points were lost for me. Fortunately, I had visions of Matt Damon while I was listening to the book. He was charming and conniving which best describes Tom Ripley. Despite knowing the plot of the book I still had plenty of No Frickin Way moments to keep my attention and was a very fast listen.