I started reading The Talented Mr. Ripley last night. I was
on record a
few weeks back saying I had been a little disappointed with
Ripley
Underground, though I had had high expectations. I find at
least the
start of Talented very compelling and original. The manic,
screwball,
sinister tone seems to strike a perfect balance.
Highsmith's
descriptions of New York scenes in the fifties are great fun,
and I
enjoyed the vague aimlessness of the book and its character.
Great
droll humor too (e.g., James' The Ambassadors is in the
library of the
cabin passengers, but not the first-class passengers, so Tom
can't read
it). Perhaps, though, Highsmith can't keep it going--that
seems to be
Bill's reaction, and that's what I thought happened in
Ripley
Underground. Regardless, if other readers are deciding to
make the
leap, I say go ahead. One more thing: Talented is in the
Library of
America Crime Novels Vol. 2. Libraries buy these volumes and
if you
can't find the Highsmith book by itself, look for this
book.
Doug Levin
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