Scan barcode
pipercurda's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
really enjoyed this!! might read the rest of them?? tense and nerve-wracking, but never off-putting and constantly keeping you guessing at what’s coming next. found myself rooting for tom at times? is that bad? or just part of it? asking my therapist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
areykaminsk's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bmo264's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
um_melina's review against another edition
4.0
ive seen the movie a few times and i was interested in reading tom’s perspective. i was shocked by how much the movie added in randomly, whole characters, extra deaths, it made the whole story more complicated and for what? it only made it EVEN more unbelievable that tom could get away with any of this. im not sure if the author just wrote a lot of conveniences for tom but investigations used to be shit. was it really that easy to kill 2 people you knew? damn. i felt like he shouldnt have gotten away with it, they didnt make it hard enough for him.
aliteralfield's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Finally got round to reading this. I will be watching the film as soon as I can. I enjoyed it. the paranoia that overcomes Tom and though he does terrible things you’re still sort of rooting for him to get away with it. The last 1/3 dragged a bit with the whole will he won’t he get caught.
ioananana's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Gotta love a repulsive but witty protagonist. It’s easy to write a wholesome character that everyone loves, but Highsmith’s Ripley is the complete opposite of that. He is self deprecating, obsessive, annoying and an absolute leech. But you’re still kinda… rooting for him?
It’s a great thriller that keeps you on your toes until the veeeery last page! I’m only rating it this ‘low’ based on how it made me feel and because at times I wasn’t that hooked on it (something of the lines of ‘it’s not you ((the book)), it’s me)
reiding's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
adaska's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
4.0
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Sometimes I find it hard to review classics and other old books because I'm not sure how to go about it — should I think of it solely through a modern lens, or should I put myself in the shoes of those who made the book a classic? That change in perspective can significantly affect my thoughts. Is this vaguely homophobic and forgettable, or is it riveting and bold?
I found roughly the first half of this book to be fast paced and gripping. I was drawn in by the mysterious main character, Mr. Tom Ripley, and the height of the plot was excitingly creepy, but that's where the problem lies. The interesting part happens less than halfway through the book! From then on, it's a trifling drag. Way too many details about every little decision the MC makes and how it may or may not affect him and his plans. I wish there was a bit more character development, or at least a little more focus on action rather than logistics.
In terms of purely personal taste, I disliked the European vacation settling. Too much coming and going from one place to another; it was hard for me to picture what each scene looked like and to really feel immersed.
This might have been a banger read back in the day, but I didn't find it to be anything special and I'm honestly not sure what modern readers like so much about it. I don't plan on picking up the next book in the series.
I found roughly the first half of this book to be fast paced and gripping. I was drawn in by the mysterious main character, Mr. Tom Ripley, and the height of the plot was excitingly creepy, but that's where the problem lies. The interesting part happens less than halfway through the book! From then on, it's a trifling drag. Way too many details about every little decision the MC makes and how it may or may not affect him and his plans. I wish there was a bit more character development, or at least a little more focus on action rather than logistics.
In terms of purely personal taste, I disliked the European vacation settling. Too much coming and going from one place to another; it was hard for me to picture what each scene looked like and to really feel immersed.
This might have been a banger read back in the day, but I didn't find it to be anything special and I'm honestly not sure what modern readers like so much about it. I don't plan on picking up the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Classism