I feel like if a book is turned into a movie with a budget big enough to snag Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Damon, more people than just me have probably enjoyed it as much as I did - so I feel an extra level of validation in putting this out here. Therefore, I’ll be stepping out of my usually pretentious Avant-reading materials (I'm looking at you, Sylvia Plath) to discuss a cult favorite. I’m talking about the OG, New York City baddie, The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith.
I'm not normally one for crime stories, but I grabbed this one after falling in love with the characters (i.e. Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf) in the movie. Little did I know that I was reading one of the best character study novels ever put to paper. I thought the movie was great, I thought the book was masterful.
It starts almost abruptly as our main character, Tom Ripley, is randomly tasked with stopping a wealthy man's son, Dickie Greenleaf, from galavanting around Italy any longer. Its late 1950-something and Mr. Greenleaf's only way of contacting his son at this point is to send who he thinks is a friend to retrieve him. Tom already has some shady character qualities (this whole attempt at credit fraud situation, a horrible living space, and honestly just an unreliable off-kilter inner monologue), but even you as the reader believe his stories and pity this guy who just seems down on his luck in life.
Anyways, for some unbeknownst reason to us, Tom essentially schmoozes his way into Mr. Greenleaf's pockets and onto a boat headed directly for the coasts of Italy. Upon his arrival, he immediately locates Dickie along the beach and weasels himself into his daily routine. By now, Tom's more interesting tendencies start to emerge. He becomes obsessed with Dickie, with the lifestyle of the rich and elite, with becoming one of them himself. Introduce some obstacles here. Marge, Dickie's other American neighbor, doesn't like him and reads his ulterior motive like a book. Dickie himself catches Tom trying on his clothes (among other probably not normal house guest behaviors). Dickie’s father begins to doubt that Tom will ever finish his task and essentially takes him off the case - aka no more money for our dear friend Tommy. And a whole lot of desperation to keep the life he believes he's earned.
From that point forward, nothing makes sense. There are multiple murders, elaborate lies, and far-fetching stories stemming from the point of view of our mastermind lead, Tom Ripley. I won't ruin it, but I think you can imagine who he decides he's "going to become" first.
I think what I liked most about this book is that the entire thing felt almost like a fever dream. It was hard to keep up with in the best kind of way because you truly felt immersed into the mind of this spiraling young psychopath (though, Highsmith would disagree with that label). It’s the psychological thriller that just kept giving. And we have our talented Mr. Ripley to thank for that.
To date, Tom Ripley is one of the best-written, most fascinating, rounded, characters I've ever read. He's narcissistic, but strikes you with empathy. He's a killer and a thief, but you vaguely want him to get away with it for some reason. It felt so realistic at times you could forget it was fiction. From the long-form inner tom-ologues, the back-references to the smallest details hidden in all corners of the book, and splashes of Italian crime and culture - this book has enough tension to keep you turning every page. All wrapped up in the genius classic kind of writing only a crazy talented mind as Patricia Highsmith could put together. So. What more could you really want? Maybe a weird love triangle aspect, you say? No worries, it's got that too.
If you like books that include a bit of travel, get emotionally invested in every character you read, binge true-crime podcasts, or just want to imagine Jude Law and Matt Damon personally speaking in your head for 300 some pages - this is the one for you.
And if that's STILL not enough to get you invested, this podcast from the Bowery Boys on Patricia Highsmith herself should seal the deal.
Anyways. Back to ignoring this blog for another six months. XOXO!
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