Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

29 reviews

wossyboy's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

So good, so perfectly written. But so tense! I had to put it down at several points because I was too anxious. At other points I was flipping through the pages as fast as I can. Highsmith brilliantly changes pace to keep you on your toes and eek out the tension as long as possible.

I also really loved the romantic descriptions of Italy and Ripley's Italian life. It gave the book a sunny edge to what is otherwise quite a dark tale of death and deception.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder

neali's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Toxic friendship

hannah_stoch's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

audreytallulah's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

nrya__'s review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

inkslate's review against another edition

dark tense slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cursing, Fatphobia, Gore, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

laurenleigh's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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

I’m not sure why or when this made it onto my TBR list, but I did enjoy this wild ride! Though maybe it wasn’t a great choice for my bedtime book, since it’s pretty tense all the way through. But in a very soft, gentle, creepy way. Tom Ripley is a sociopathic murderer, but he’s somehow still a relatable character at times. Highsmith is quite masterful in that regard. I was constantly kept guessing, always on the edge. Which is much like Tom himself. His identity and his grasp on reality is similarly in constant flux. He, or should I say Highsmith’s writing, truly amazes me. What I also enjoyed about this novel was its European setting. Most of the action takes place in various Italian cities and villages, and I loved their descriptions. I’m itching to travel so badly these days! I love how Highsmith mirrored the setting with the plot twists and also Tom’s internal turmoil. Things are pretty bucolic in the little beachy village of Mongibello, but the pace definitely picks up once they get to Rome and beyond!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

 I've been meaning to read this for years and luckily I thought it was worth the wait. I found the themes of obsession and identity really interesting and Tom Ripley is a fascinating main character. While I was never exactly rooting for him, I still found myself occasionally forgetting about his crimes as I became immersed in his life. I obviously knew it was a thriller and I had a rough idea of the story but I found it more stressful than I was anticipating. I've read the blurbs for the others in the series and I don't feel particularly drawn to read them but I'm glad I've at least read this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder

emerynmader's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship