A review by markhodderauthor
Ripley's Game by Patricia Highsmith

4.0

After the disappointing second novel (RIPLEY UNDER GROUND), which erred in the direction of a French farce, the series returns to form with this account of Ripley’s deadly tussle with the Mafia. Highsmith was marvellously adept at creating protagonists who function well in society while in fact being amoral and murderous sociopaths. I like how, when violence erupts, her characters slip into a daze, hardly in control of themselves. It demonstrates an acute understanding of the “fight or flight” impulse, where animal instincts kick in and the subject becomes capable of almost any atrocity. The author’s male characters dominate—they are alluring yet repulsive, charismatic yet patently suffering personality disorder — but I am also increasingly fascinated by her portrayal of women, though I’m not yet certain what it is about them that piques my curiosity. A cold, self-serving response to crises, perhaps? I need to read more Highsmith!