55 pages • 1 hour read
Patricia HighsmithThe Talented Mr. Ripley
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Psychological Fiction
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil