55 pages • 1 hour read
The Talented Mr. Ripley
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Italy • 1950s
1955
W. W. Norton & Company
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tom Ripley, a young man living in New York, is hired by Herbert Greenleaf to travel to Italy and persuade his son, Dickie, to return to America. Tom befriends Dickie but becomes obsessively envious of his lavish lifestyle. As Dickie grows distant, Tom kills him and assumes his identity, leading a double life while evading suspicion and committing further crimes to maintain his facade.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
108,925 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley is celebrated for its intricate plotting and captivating psychological depth. Highsmith's portrayal of the protagonist, Tom Ripley, is both chilling and compelling, making the reader both root for and despise him. Some critics note the pacing can be slow, but most appreciate Highsmith's masterful suspense and keen exploration of identity and morality.
Who Should Read The Talented Mr. Ripley?
Readers who relish psychological thrillers with morally complex characters will enjoy Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley. Enthusiasts of suspenseful plots akin to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson will find this novel captivating and thought-provoking.
108,925 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Dickie Greenleaf
Dickie Greenleaf
The charismatic son of a wealthy shipbuilding family, living a leisurely life in Europe; he represents the social status and confidence that Tom envies.
Marge Sherwood
Marge Sherwood
A friend of Dickie's living in Mongibello, Italy, she is a writer working on a book about the area and remains closely connected to Dickie.
Freddie Miles
Freddie Miles
Part of Dickie's social circle, he is the son of a wealthy hotel-chain owner and dabbles in playwriting, embodying the brash rich American expatriate lifestyle.
Herbert Greenleaf
Herbert Greenleaf
Dickie's father, who is deeply concerned about his son's prolonged absence in Europe and seeks Tom's assistance in convincing Dickie to return home.
288
Novel • Fiction
Italy • 1950s
1955
W. W. Norton & Company
Adult
18+ years
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