Nowadays, author Patricia Highsmith is known best as the author of "The Price of Salt," which is a romance novel that explores a lesbian relationship. The book was full of fluttering prose and elegance, reflecting a romanticism that was equally mysterious. It's likely why her follow-up, "The Talented Mr. Ripley," manages to be one of the classiest mystery books of its era. With a memorable character that spawned "The Ripliad," Highsmith captured an upper class sensibility to the drama with debonair protagonist Thomas Ripley. With a story journeying around Europe, the novel manages to excel at being riveting even at its most mundane, creating the sense that these characters are fun to hang around with. It may not be her greatest book, but it works as a pulpy novel full of similar intimacy and adventure.
The story begins with a simple request for Ripley: go to Italy to get Greenleaf's son to come to America and join the family business. Speaking as Ripley is familiar with scams that draw people into his confidence, it would seem like an easy goal. Simply show up and do the job. However, the journey becomes more complex as his relationship with Dickie Greenleaf becomes more complex and romance is afoot. Add in a murder and an expedition, and the journey becomes far richer than one could initially hope. Suddenly there's mystery surrounding who the murderer is and why all of the details don't immediately line up. With various letters scattered throughout the book, the story has an intimacy expressed through private thoughts that elevates these characters to something far more interesting than their posh lifestyles would suggest.
Highsmith's greatest gift to the story is her ability to make details pop with life, whether it be describing a boat or a loose article of clothing in a hotel room. Suddenly everything has a deeper purpose beyond wealth, and it makes the story have a more engaging tone. With elegant prose, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a fun novel with plenty of enjoyable moments. It makes travelling around Italy into a fun and relaxing journey full of small comedic moments. It may not be the greatest novel that she has ever written, but as a work of fiction that introduced a memorable literary character, it definitely has a special place in history. It's a good book and one that is not without its charm. That may be why he was so talented.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
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