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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Long before Dexter there was Tom Ripley.
Ripley is smart and talented, but he’s also bored and restless. He has a good head for figures and has worked at several jobs that make use of his bookkeeping/accounting skills. But he never stays anywhere for long. He’s just getting by and longs for wealth, travel, friends and excitement. Enter Mr. Greenleaf who is desperate to have his son, Dickie, return from an extended stay in Italy. Would Tom be willing to go there and convince Dickie to come home? Mr Greenleaf would happily pay his expenses. This seems the perfect opportunity – a chance to get on the road to success and the kind of lifestyle Tom feels he deserves.
What I find so fascinating about Ripley is that Highsmith has created a rather smarmy and petulant “hero” – easy to dislike, and yet charmingly fascinating. How can we help but cheer for him as he strings Mr Greenleaf along and ingratiates himself with the young, wealthy Americans lolling about Europe? But there is a definite dark side to Tom. He is guarded and sneaky, a careful observer and willing to do whatever is necessary to further his own plans. It’s not his fault that he has to kill people; they posed a threat to his dream of wealth.
Ripley is smart and talented, but he’s also bored and restless. He has a good head for figures and has worked at several jobs that make use of his bookkeeping/accounting skills. But he never stays anywhere for long. He’s just getting by and longs for wealth, travel, friends and excitement. Enter Mr. Greenleaf who is desperate to have his son, Dickie, return from an extended stay in Italy. Would Tom be willing to go there and convince Dickie to come home? Mr Greenleaf would happily pay his expenses. This seems the perfect opportunity – a chance to get on the road to success and the kind of lifestyle Tom feels he deserves.
What I find so fascinating about Ripley is that Highsmith has created a rather smarmy and petulant “hero” – easy to dislike, and yet charmingly fascinating. How can we help but cheer for him as he strings Mr Greenleaf along and ingratiates himself with the young, wealthy Americans lolling about Europe? But there is a definite dark side to Tom. He is guarded and sneaky, a careful observer and willing to do whatever is necessary to further his own plans. It’s not his fault that he has to kill people; they posed a threat to his dream of wealth.
slamparelli's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cavernism's review
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
grummy_mania'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
g_arty's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
hent03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kmbeck's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
shaleen_s's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
marlimoon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
4.0