Finished this one today. Some consider it Packer's best, I
think. It actually wasn't too bad. An orphan boy grows up
idolizing the rich and works hard to be accepted into their
company. He is a hopeless, alcoholic bore, refusing to accept
rejection and instead consoling himself with a cruelly
delusional fantasy.
Although I haven't read it, I saw the movie The Talented Mr.
Ripley and Packer's book seems like a variation on that
theme. I wish I had read the Highsmith book instead.
The problem with the book is that there was almost nothing
admirable or entertaining about Adam Blessing, and that is
damning. Even the most wicked of protagonists have something
entertaining about them, Lou Ford the sheer violence of his
insanity, Stanton Carlisle his ability to turn human weakness
into cash, and Hannibal Lecter his ability to choose the
correct wine for even the most unusual food.
miker
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