A review by dkmorello
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

challenging 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

4.0

An excellent one-two punch — reading the book at the same time I watch the 2024 Netflix series Ripley. An outsider ingratiates himself into a small group in Italy and, in response to a series of actions and challenges, ends up disposing of two people and assuming the identity of one. Where the book is internal monologue of the main character in all his guises, the movie dispenses with narration and instead uses actor Andrew Scott’s expressions, silence and actions to convey atmosphere, emotion, distaste, anger and nervousness. I liked the novel as much as I did because I watched the series  concurrently.