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Summary: The Most Interesting Book I Ever Read.
Review: (THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY) Is the greatest book I ever read. Tom was a poor person who really wants to be someone in his life. He killed and did everything just to be someone in his life. He was not a killer to me, but he was confused. He thought it will be great to be someone else in life.
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Summary: Highsmith trilogy
Review: Being a mysterious person herself, it is no wonder that she was able to create the character Tom Ripley. I found the book absolutely irresistable. The main character Tom is introduced to us in the first novel, "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Homoeroticism is clearly evident, yet Highsmith decides to mask this by marrying Tom off to a lovely French woman in the second novel, "Ripley Under Ground". I loved the development of the characters, and Highsmiths brilliant ability to create a claustrophobic environment from which Tom can not escape. His only chances to breathe stem from his murderous escapades with in each novel. As an avid Christie reader, I found these novels not only to be a nice change of pace, but also intelligent, and geared towards the literary mystery reader.
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Summary: A splendid triple treat edition worth owning
Review: Coming to Ms Highsmith via Mr Hitchcock (Strangers on a Train, The American Friend) I was struck by the way in which the writer had me liking Mr Ripley and disliking most of the other characters in these stories, even though Mr Ripley is a liar, a murderer, a thief, a cold calculating fish who delights in deceit and undermining others, manipulating the world around him to suit his selfish ends - maybe he represents the child in us, a character who gives expression to the dark side of our nature by allowing us to live through his adventures. He is superior, snobbish and incredibly attentive to detail. His knowledge of the art world, of Europe as the civilised centre of the universe, and many other matters make him something of a gourmet, bon vivant, idler. The world is just a large play pen for him to indulge his urges, but at some considerable risk. Tremendously entertaining stories composed over a period of 20 years by Ms Highsmith in clear stylish English make them a pleasure to read. This excellent Everyman Edition provide these stories with a worthy home. A bargain.
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Summary: Well written
Review: Do not buy The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, and Ripley's Game as separate books. This volume has all three of these uncut. Having finished these three (plus The Boy Who Followed Ripley and Ripley Under Water bought separately), I can honestly say that it was the best "Reading Month" of my life. The first one differs from the movie significantly. I won't go into details, but I will say the film is inspired by the book rather than based on it. If you've seen the movie, enough said. It's a good picture, but the book is better. Ripley Under Ground takes place, I think, six or ten years later. Ripley is older, married, mellower, but still has the talent to plan and scheme when someone threatens his phony Art Business he is running with a few associates. Ripley's Game takes place a little later, I think, a few months later. Ripley is still cunning and manipulates a neighbor into committing murder for money. The neighbor 'insults' Ripley at a party and the game begins. The only thing confusing about the Ripley novels is time. Highsmith writes around present day events that take place over a 36 year period, yet Ripley only seems to age 20 years if you place all five Ripley novels together. This is somewhat forgivable since the stories are page turners guaranteed to keep you spellbound for a month, as they did for me.
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Summary: Buy This Book Instead...
Review: Do not buy The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, and Ripley's Game as separate books. This volume has all three of these uncut. Having finished these three (plus The Boy Who Followed Ripley and Ripley Under Water bought separately), I can honestly say that it was the best "Reading Month" of my life. The first one differs from the movie significantly. I won't go into details, but I will say the film is inspired by the book rather than based on it. If you've seen the movie, enough said. It's a good picture, but the book is better. Ripley Under Ground takes place, I think, six or ten years later. Ripley is older, married, mellower, but still has the talent to plan and scheme when someone threatens his phony Art Business he is running with a few associates. Ripley's Game takes place a little later, I think, a few months later. Ripley is still cunning and manipulates a neighbor into committing murder for money. The neighbor 'insults' Ripley at a party and the game begins. The only thing confusing about the Ripley novels is time. Highsmith writes around present day events that take place over a 36 year period, yet Ripley only seems to age 20 years if you place all five Ripley novels together. This is somewhat forgivable since the stories are page turners guaranteed to keep you spellbound for a month, as they did for me.
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Summary: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, Ripley's Game
Review: Great writer. Talented Mr. Ripley is better than the movie
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Summary: A Fantastic Reading Experience
Review: Highsmith's books--all of which feature murders--are not typical murder mysteries because Highsmith never leaves the reader in the dark as to the identity of the murderer. (The sole exception runs for only three pages in the third novel, in which Highsmith playfully leaves the reader wondering, with other characters, whether Ripley was responsible for the unnecessary demise of third-tier character.) A mystery novel that discloses the identity of the murderer may create tension by dealing with the question whether other characters, such as a law enforcement officer or a spouse, will learn the identity of the murderer. The first book contains considerable dramatic tension of this type, but the second two contain considerably less (especially for the reader familiar with the Ripley series). The strange appeal of these novels--especially the latter two--lies more in their overall lack of dramatic tension. In the second and third books, Ripley's easy, cultured life invites the reader to relax, perhaps brew himself or herself a cup of tea, and, above all, let his or her guard down. Never mind that the purpose of a quick trip is murder most foul; Ripley never lacks the time to pick up a tasteful gift for Heloise, his wife. Never mind that Ripley and a friend must dispose quickly of bodies; Ripley never lacks the time to prepare (true, in this instance, hastily) a sumptuous meal after the murders. As unusual as these books are in their lack of dramatic tension, they are even more unusual in their presentation of Ripley. Many reviews describe him as amoral. He is amoral, but only if that word permits one to display some morals. In the second and third books, Ripley emerges as a person who is deeply in love with, and committed to, his wife. He is nearly as loyal to his housekeeper, Madame Annette. He is capable of surprising loyalty to others. By the third novel, he has even displayed some growth in his ability to show concern for others (ok, maybe only two other persons). Undoubtedly, though, the distinction of these three works is the ease with which Ripley murders. He murders as he lives--efficiently and effortlessly. Each murder seems the product of impulse, although Ripley commits each with as much composure as circumstances permit and the murders themselves are never devoid of purpose. The achievement of the second and third novels, which in many respects are superior to the first, is that the murders blend into Ripley's life in such a way that the reader may not find it jarring that other characters, who discover that Ripley has committed these murders, do not themselves find the acts more repulsive than they do. Highsmith accomplishes this unusual effect in part by her characterization of Ripley. Most readers will find appealing Ripley's taste and composure. Even more readers will find appealing his loyal devotion to his wife. In the third novel, Ripley's murder victims were dangerous, hardened criminals. But, most of all, Highsmith eases the murders into her narratives through skillful prose. She writes in a spare, easy style, just as Ripley lives. In short, clear sentences, Highsmith captures the few details that quickly render a scene or a minor character. Her word choice is simple, but apt. Despite her efficiency, Highsmith is patient in dialogue. Heloise asks Ripley if he and another character had a <nice talk.> Never mind that they were discussing murder, Ripley invariably answers that they did. Above all, read these novels for the rare pleasure that good writing provides. I must also commend the publisher. Although nearly 900 pages, the book is the perfect size and handles well in a variety of reading position (although I found myself responding to the cultured world of Ripley by abandoning my favored reading position--prone--for the more formal one of sitting upright). The slightly rough texture of the red book (dustjacket removed) also facilitates easy handling. The print is pleasing to the eye. Suggestive of more devotional literature, my book came with a handsome gold ribbon to mark the page on the few occasions that I was able to put the book down. bartleby@sprintmail.com
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Summary: I'm on a Highsmith High...
Review: I am having a ball - I'm in love with Patricia Highsmith and her stories. I can't get enough of the corrupt, sociopathic, amoral, sleazy, viscious, mean, devilish, vile, brilliantly believable world she has created. Has anyone read "The Tremor of Forgery", set in Algiers? Wow! All the Ripleys are ripping, in the true sense of the word. Tom is a horror. I saw the movie first, but I do think Matt Damon did him justice, as did the other actors with their parts. But I liked "Purple Noon" better as a movie, especially the ending, which was not like the book but excellent nevertheless.\ I envy those who haven't begun reading PH yet. They are in for a fab adventure. Oh, by the way - "Strangers On A Train" is amazing - incredble - creepy as all get-out. Very different from the excellent Hitchcock. You'll want to "go all the way" with Highsmith - that is, read it all. I'm thrilled that I have more to go.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Disappointing
Review: I bought this "Ripley" trilogy after seeing the film version of The Talented Mr. Ripley and after reading these glowing recommendations on Amazon. Although film versions of books inevitably fall short in comparison, I think this was the first time in my life when the film version actually impressed me much more than the novel. Anthony Minghella and Matt Damon should be commended on imparting more humanity and sense of character and depth of emotion to Ripley than was evident in Highsmith's original. Let me be clear. I'm not one of those ultra-conservative moralists who believe a character must have redeeming qualities or be, in the end, punished for their lack of those qualities or lack of remorse. But I've been intrigued by many characters and have read many "good" books in my day. Ripley is neither intriguing as a character nor compelling as a story. After reading the first disappointing novel in the trilogy, I reluctantly moved on to the second novel, Ripley Underground, which I disliked even more. For the first half of that novel (that's all I could take) I constantly fought strong urges to throw the book out the window. Luckily, I read on a commuter train and littering fines and lack of windows prevented me from doing so. The impression I got from these novels is that the author is not very effective in conveying proper emotions or inner thought processes or dramatic tension, and she doesn't really have an ear for "true" or purposeful dialogue. Ripley is all plot. And isn't that what we've come to equate with ineffective writing? Tom sits on a yellow couch. Tom drinks a cup of tea. Tom bludgeons to death someone who threatens to expose him. Tom asks his housekeeper about her toothache. Tom sits back on the yellow couch. Luckily for Highsmith, she knew enough about European locations and customs to add a bit of interest. Some of the scenes in Italy are charming, but how many times can one read about the difficulties of French telecommunications systems (without having any bearing on the plotline) before exasperation sets in? How many times can Ripley's French wife call someone she doesn't like a "fou" before the reader starts to wonder if it's really a repeating character trait or if it's the only French curse Highsmith knows? How many times can Ripley sit on the yellow couch? I've never written an online book review. But I feel strongly enough about this book to want to make my opinion known to others who may be thinking about purchasing any of these "Ripley" novels. I'm not saying I can write better, but I certainly can read better.
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Summary: Ripley's Game is another winner...
Review: I just finished Ripley's Game and loved it - the only problem I had was that Highsmith makes Tom "happily" married to a beautiful French blonde which doesn't compute since in 'Talented' it is quite obvious that Tom doesn't like women much at all. Still, that can be dismissed because the story is amusing, funny, horrible and the Usual Suspect is as charmingly amoral as ever. This is a shoot-em-up Mafia/gangster story. It's the realism of the work - Highsmith creates an atmosphere that breathes. You believe all those un- believable hi-jinks! Now I am reading Found In The Street, which was written in the eighties - very odd (what else?) yet also has that true-to-life feeling that keeps you reading.
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