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juushikaTitle: The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley Book 1)
Author: Patricia Highsmith
Published: New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008 (1955)
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 273
Total Page Count: 167,205
Text Number: 490
Read Because: personal enjoyment, ebook borrowed from the Multnomah County Library
Review: When he travels to Italy in search of an acquaintance, petty con artist Tom Ripley stumbles into the con of a lifetime: another man's identity. This book has some singularly perfect moments—namely, the impromptu and keenly flawed murder that begins the con; but also the way Tom juggles his dual personas, and the final few pages. But its bulk is repetitive. Near all that can go wrong does go wrong with predictable pacing, creating a constant state of tension (and frustration at Tom's lack of foresight)—but Tom, neither compelling or sympathetic, fails to warrant investment, and so the tension has no payout and is merely unpleasant. The supporting cast is as dull as Tom finds them, so neither is there dramatic irony. I appreciate the intent, and love the moments in which that intent succeeds, but too much of The Talented Mr. Ripley fails to impress.
Author: Patricia Highsmith
Published: New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008 (1955)
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 273
Total Page Count: 167,205
Text Number: 490
Read Because: personal enjoyment, ebook borrowed from the Multnomah County Library
Review: When he travels to Italy in search of an acquaintance, petty con artist Tom Ripley stumbles into the con of a lifetime: another man's identity. This book has some singularly perfect moments—namely, the impromptu and keenly flawed murder that begins the con; but also the way Tom juggles his dual personas, and the final few pages. But its bulk is repetitive. Near all that can go wrong does go wrong with predictable pacing, creating a constant state of tension (and frustration at Tom's lack of foresight)—but Tom, neither compelling or sympathetic, fails to warrant investment, and so the tension has no payout and is merely unpleasant. The supporting cast is as dull as Tom finds them, so neither is there dramatic irony. I appreciate the intent, and love the moments in which that intent succeeds, but too much of The Talented Mr. Ripley fails to impress.
