The Talented Mr. Ripley

Highsmith, Patricia. The Talented Mr. Ripley. New York: Norton. 1955. Print.

First Sentences:

Tom glanced behind him and saw the man coming out of the Green Cage, heading his way.

Tom walked faster. There was no doubt the man was after him. 

Description:

It's marvelous to curl up with a great book like The Talented Mr. Ripley by Daphne du Maurier. Even though it was written in 1955, almost 65 years ago, it is timeless and still grips readers on every page. Of course, it has everything: great plot, unpredictable characters, lovely settings, and wonderful writing. Who could ask for more? Even if one is familiar with the story or has seen the movie, Highsmith's inimitable writing adds so much pleasure to the experience that the book should not be missed for any lovers of mystery, plot twists, and cunning characters.

Tom Ripley, a shady character living by his wits and a few minor schemes, spends time looking over his shoulder for the police to finally catch up with him, dodging in and out of bars, wistfully dreaming of the better, much more opulent life he feels he deserves.

Then along comes Herbert Greenleaf, a wealthy industrialist, who approaches Tom with a plan. Greenleaf will finance a trip to Italy for Tom for him to convince Greenleaf's son, Dickie, to quit his lollygagging life in a small beach town and return home to work in Greenleaf's business. Tom readily accepts the job, although he barely knows Dickie (but doesn't share that info with Greenleaf), and off he goes, sailing first class with expense money in his pocket.

After meeting Dickie and his friend Marge, he is able to ingratiate himself into Dickie's life of wealthy leisure using Greenleaf's money. Definitely this is what Tom has dreamed about and thus easily gets used to his new world. For his part, Dickie has no intention of ever leaving Italy, much less working for his father. Tom realizes that his new lifestyle will soon end when father Greenleaf gives up on Tom ever convincing Dickie to return, and decides to cut off Tom's expense account.

Unless ...

A scheme develops in Tom's mind to keep him in wealth, in Italy (or wherever he wants to go), and in a new life. All could come about ... if only Dickie weren't around.

That's the start of this thrilling plot involving Tom in a crime or two, constant waging of wits with police, and easing into a completely new lifestyle. In the hands of Highsmith, each page is full of clever thinking, snappy dialogue, narrow escapes, and spontaneous actions to preserve the world Tom now inhabits.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It grabs you immediately and doesn't let go until the very last page, with plot swerves that keep readers on their toes to try to follow, much less predict Tom's mind and dirty deeds. It is a great, great read that will turn you on to the world of Highsmith and Ripley, a deliciously thrilling combination.

The very chanciness of trying for all of Dickie's money, the peril of it, was irresistible to him....Risks were what made the whole thing fun.

Happy reading. 

Fred

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If this book interests you, be sure to check out:

du Maurier, Daphne. The Scapegoat

Two unrelated strangers have a chance encounter and realize they could be twins. After a night of drinking, one man wakes in his room to find all his clothes missing, replaced with the other man's possessions. No one to believe his story that he is not the other man. He then is brought to his doppelganger's family estate and gradually, grudgingly, assumes the other man's identity.