Rating: 
Summary: STORY ROCKS
Review: Don't read any other reviews. Don't read the plot line. Don't even read the back of the book. Read it cover to cover with no knowledge of the book. It was the best book that I read. I loved especially the plot line, and its huge plot twists. You will be amazed!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the few cases where the movie was better...
Review: The book, The Talented Mr. Ripley, is a very enjoyable read, but I have to say I think the movie is better. First, in the book the Ripley character is very well developed, but everyone else is rather two dimensional. The movie did a much better job of developing the Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow characters, particularly Marge. In the book, she's rather stuipd, and its almost like she's there just to add another wrinkle to the "Is Dickie or isn't he?" question, but in the movie she participates much more in the plot. Other subtle differences make the movie better as well. I don't think I'm giving too much away if I say that Dickie's murder is slightly different. In the movie, Dickie's murder is a heat of the moment kind of thing-they're arguing and it suddenly turns violent. Then Tom gets trapped in his evil act and keeps having to tell lie after lie to cover his tracks. In the book, the murder is cold bloodedly plotted beforehand. I think it makes Tom's character much more interesting, dramatically and thematically, in the movie's setup. Still, Mr. Ripley is an enjoyable read, and well worth picking up. The writing is subtle, you have to pay attention. (I can't believe how much gay content Highsmith got away with, considering this came out in the 50s). I would recommend both the book and movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Good but two dimensional at times
Review: I thought this book was good but found all but Dickie as characters rather two dimesional. The suspense in the book and the chances taken propelled me through but I found the movie and script by Anthony Minghella an improvement. Highsmith really didn't capture the pain as well that I thought Ripley might have and the restrained homosexuality didnt play out as well here as in the script by Minghella. I hate to say but the movie was bettr than the book. However, I do recommend Strangers on A Train by Highsmith.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read
Review: Although I thought that The Talented Mr. Ripley got off to a rather slow start, it built up into a marvelous story. At first, like many, I was sickened by the murders that occurred. But as the story went on I found myself rooting for Dickie(Tom). This book gives you something that most can't, suspense. I was literaly on the edge of my seat. I would strongly reccomend this book for people who want to be caught up in a great book
Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: I saw the movie first and didn't like it at all so I figured it was a "the-book-was-better-than-the-movie" thing. Indeed it was, I read the book in literally one sitting (staying up till 3am). I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Rating:
Summary: A Disturbing Character
Review: Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a wonderfully disturbing book. It tells the story of young Thomas Ripley who is bored with his New York life. He decides to help a friend by bringing back his son from Mongibello, a little town in Italy. Dickie Greenleaf and Tom soon become friends, and Tom wants to live like Dickie, and be like him, too; exactly like him. Read "The Talented Mr. Ripley", you won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: quite good, Tom, oh boy
Review: Since the Talented Mr. Ripley has entered the pop culture arena via Matt Damon & Gwyneth Paltrow, I decided I must read the actual novel itself first. Which I enjoyed emmensely! I was quite a wreck for Tom (taking such idiotic chances! always coming so close to detection!) and, although I had read that I was to sympathize with him, at first I found his actions quite shockingly ammoral and disgusting (which of course they are) but by the end, even I was on Tom's side, hoping he could somehow get away with it. As I would pick up the book to start reading it, in my head I would think "now what's that sly cat going to do?" ....I'd reccomend reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Portrait of a psychotic
Review: How does a pyschotic's mind work? Patricia Highsmith takes the reader into the unanchored nature of Tom Ripley's personality and his simple, amoral approach to the world. This is especially well conveyed after he's perfected his impersonation of Dickie Greenleaf and has been living as Dickie for a while, when he reminds himself to practice his Tom Ripley voice so he can switch to it in a second if necessary -- so completely has he taken on the mannerisms and social polish of someone else. His talent is psychological shape-shifting. While he's being interviewed by the Italian police, it's as though he's impersonating Tom Ripley, the shy and humble fellow who, in fact, he will never be again. Novels always give you more information than the movies made from them, and so here we are privy to Tom's inner life: his frequent fear of discovery, ability to rally quickly into feelings of triumph and defiance, contempt for other people, shame over his former life in the States, satisfaction about his self-improvement (learning Italian, discovering art), even regret about the murders -- but not a moment of guilt or remorse, not a single pang of conscience. His homosexuality is less realized than it is in the movie, despite the fact that Marge thinks he's queer and he denies it to Dickie. Although Ripley fantasizes about spending the rest of his life with Dickie "like a brother," Highsmith omits or isn't interested in any possible carnal details. It's as though this lost boy is too removed from any real human connection to have a sexual impulse. Like an impressionable child, he worships Dickie's savoir faire, good looks, fine clothes, freedom and wealth. Highsmith's writing is a tad flat in places as she hurries over plot mechanics to return to character and situation, and I found myself wondering, along with Ripley, why no one, not even Marge, catches on to all the clues pointing to the fact that he is directly involved in Dickie's disappearance. (The movie cuts us some slack, and adds emotional resonance, by letting us identify with Marge's realization of the truth.) But it's an easy read and Highsmith has some nicely observed minor characters and describes interiors so you can visualize them. The complex plot elements are taken care of by the end, and the final sentence caps the story with a satisfying flourish.
Rating:
Summary: Keeps you on the edge of your seat
Review: Rarely do you find such a compelling story as this. I was a little disappointed that Mr. Ripley wasn't apprehended. Although this is what makes a good novel, when you are so into it and can't control the outcome. It is chilling to think Mr. Ripley can do these horrendous acts with such daring calm. I haven't seen the movie, but am looking forward to it.
Rating: 
Summary: i'm half way through and too bored to finish the book
Review: this book is slow and boring. its hard for me to even get through a few pages without falling asleep. as an avid reader, i haven't run across a book this boring in years. i'm still trying to get through this book just because i paid $13.00 for it and also to see if it'll get any better. i hope it does.
|
