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The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley, #1)

Patricia Highsmith

Start date: October 1, 2022

Finish date: October 31, 2022

Discussion: New School Classics- 1915-2005

Why we're reading this: October 2022 New School Classic Group Read
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New School Classics- 1915-2005

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What Members Thought

Mar 19, 2022 Anne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: italy, audio, thriller, 2022

4.5 stars. The Talented Mr. Ripley is a brilliantly realized psychological study of an insecure sociopath. This story is narrated by Mr. Ripley so we are in his head throughout the book. Ripley is not what we generally see as "psychopathic" in movies and books these days. He's more true to life. Multiple twists and turns in the plot keep the suspense at a low but continuous boil. So this is a great thriller for those who do not like the adrenaline rush of modern day "Thrillers." The descriptions ...more

40 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2015 Franky rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime, thriller, 2018-book-challenge, mystery, the-easy-challenge-2015, reread

Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley qualifies as is one superb psychological thriller, perhaps ahead of its time. Highsmith’s novel delves into many areas and facets of psychology as well as being an exceptional character study for a sociopathic character, Tom Ripley. Despite having her “protagonist” as cold and calculating, and ultimately a villain, Highsmith still manages to create a “gray” area of sympathy. One thing that stands out while reading the novel is Ripley’s sense of wantin ...more

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Oct 30, 2022 Katy rated it liked it

A hard book to rate, the story drew me in - even with disliking completely the main character. And I can't say that I am at all interested in reading more about Mr. Ripley. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 12, 2012 Melanti rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, audiobook, 1001-books, classics, mystery

I suppose I'm a horrible reader of crime thrillers. I really didn't care at all if Tom Ripley was ever caught or (since I knew he wasn't due to there being sequels) how he would manage to avoid capture.

But I found all the sexual subtext enthralling. Tom's anger and extreme objections any time he was confronted - angry even in his own head - leads me to believe that he was definitely gay, but was repressing it so strongly he wasn't consciously aware of it.

Was Dickie gay? Probably. His parents ce ...more

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