One never knows when one will bump into a sociopathic, narcissistic, obsessive bastard.
Well in this story, poor old, wealthy businessman, Mr GreenleafOne never knows when one will bump into a sociopathic, narcissistic, obsessive bastard.
Well in this story, poor old, wealthy businessman, Mr Greenleaf, just happens to be that unlucky guy. His son, Richard (Dickie) Greenleaf has been living the life (all funded by daddy) in Italy and doesn’t seem to want to come home. Now, Daddy wants Dickie back home so he can teach him the ropes of his successful family business.
Daddy engages Tom Ripley, a decent enough guy, respectable, tidy, seems bright. He offers Ripley a fully funded trip to Italy to talk Dickie into coming home. You know, I think I’d take Mr Greenleaf up on that offer. Sounds like a blast right?
Tom Ripley arrives in the beautiful wee country town of Mongibello to find the languid Dickie living a wonderfully relaxing life � sitting on the beach with his friend Marge (oh my, this relationship is interesting). Ripley took on this job on the pretence that he and Dickie were mates. Well, they’re not � Dickie has no idea who he is. He doesn’t recognise Ripley when he sees him on the beach for the first time.
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Marge, Dickie and Tom Ripley.........friends for life
Now starts a train of events only Patty Highsmith could conjure up. Murder, deception, suspicion � it’s brilliant. She had me in the palm of her hand for the entire time. I slept with Tom Ripley every night for a few days, he tricked me, played with me, shocked me but do you know what ? In the morning, he still respected me. Because after all, he’s a decent man. A man can't ask for no more than that. Call me old-fashioned if you like.
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Check out Mongibello, beautiful right?
This smouldering classic, delivers. But what really makes it work for me is the way Patty makes us root for Tom Ripley, yes, the bloody villain!!!!
You’ll also get a beautiful sense of Italy in this story, as we visit places like Mongibello, Rome, Naples and San Remo. This is the first Highsmith book I have read (and I’ve read her a few times) where the sense of place is important. She paints Italy in such vivid colours.
5 Blistering Stars�.Highly recommended, I wouldn’t deceive you now would I ? ...more
If I ordered this book from a menu at a good restaurant, I’d probably (and I am always reluctant to do this, in fact, I never have) return it and say If I ordered this book from a menu at a good restaurant, I’d probably (and I am always reluctant to do this, in fact, I never have) return it and say politely “This isn’t what I ordered�.
Yes, Small g, by my favourite author, Patricia Highsmith wasn’t what I expected. After reading a number of her books, I am used to being tricked, duped, played with � or surprised with certain character revelations (or not), shocked even. There’s usually a good dose of sordid events, murders and usually a whodunnit element.
There is a murder in this book and a little bit of violence � tick!! But it didn’t really play a central role in the narrative. This story is really character-based, involving the themes of love, control and relationships centred around a ‘small g� (straights and gays) bar called Jakob’s in Switzerland.
Our main character is a lovely oldish gay man called Rickie who seems to be the heartbeat of this community. Everyone knows Rickie and his popularity is enhanced by his ever-present pup, Lulu � this wee dog does tricks, wears sunglasses and scarves, walks like a person and keeps everyone entertained. Highsmith paints a detailed picture of Rickie, his thoughts, profession, sex-life � a wonderful inside world view of the spontaneity of some of his sexual encounters. This bit I liked, I really liked Ricky and adored Lulu.
The other significant character is Luisa, a young woman who is apprenticed to a control freak called Renate. Luisa lives with this dragon lady, who demands to know where she is, what she’s doing and she will even lock her out of the apartment if she comes ‘home� late. There’s no doubting this is an abusive dynamic, one which inflicts more misery upon a young girl who has suffered enough in her life. Luisa has a relationship of sorts with a dashing young bloke called Teddie (Ricky fancies him too!) and a young lesbian called Dorrie. There’s also a smattering of other characters, one or two of them dodgy, but all in all, an interesting bunch of punters.
This is all interesting stuff and it’s well written. BUT, I’ve spent the last few days expecting to be Highsmithed and it didn’t happen. In some ways this level of excitement, expectations, nervous energy and over-analysis (on my part) of every character and what they were doing was exhausting!!! I’m knackered!!!!
This well written book was the last Highsmith wrote before her death. Something, I couldn’t get out of my mind for some reason. I need to score this one purely based on my level of enjoyment and alas, my expectations just weren’t met. Others may like this, as it’s not bad.
Yes Patty, it’s you it’s me!! It’s just not what I expected.
I have mixed feelings about this one � yes, I enjoyed it but not quite as much as other Highsmith books I’ve read. That’s okay � I mean, did Maradona I have mixed feelings about this one � yes, I enjoyed it but not quite as much as other Highsmith books I’ve read. That’s okay � I mean, did Maradona score every shot on goal? Does Daniel Day-Lewis nail every line? Did Michael Jordan score every three-pointer he attempted? Do U2 always play the perfect concert? Is every Palak Paneer the best thing one’s ever eaten? The simple answer to all these questions is NO.
This Patty enthusiast has been so spoiled by each and every Patricia Highsmith offering, anything less than perfect has the capacity to disappoint.
Well, this is how I feel about Those who walk away.
By the way, check out this stunning picture of Piazza San Marco, it's enough to make your mouth water.
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Just to be clear, this was enjoyable � it’s about a guy called Ray Garrett, who is trying to establish an art gallery in New York. However, his beautiful wife Peggy, has suicided and this tragic event is made worse by Peggy’s father, an obnoxious man called Edward Coleman, who firmly believes Ray is guilty of her murder. He therefore tries to kill him.
This story is set in the beautiful city of Venice, and I must say one of the most enjoyable aspects of this book for me was the way Highsmith dragged us around every nook and cranny of this historic place. Even though this was a quick read, I was slowed down by frequently jumping into Google Maps so I could run around The Piazza San Marco, or to see where Ray was staying on the Island of Giudecca, or popping into Harry’s Bar for a Martini before a plate of pasta at the Gritti Palace. Every place the author mentioned was there in its Pixelated Splendour if you take the time to have a peek.
I suppose the issues I experienced with this story were � I didn’t really understand the motivations of Ray, the story seemed to meander a tad and the ending was a bit of a fizzer. Everything else was enjoyable, it just wasn’t quite as mind-blowing as her usual fare.
The Glass Cell, by Patricia Highsmith is great! Carter, a youngish Engineer is sentenced to 10-years in prison foMs Highsmith � you’ve done it again!
The Glass Cell, by Patricia Highsmith is great! Carter, a youngish Engineer is sentenced to 10-years in prison for fraud. We are told he is innocent (I believe him), but during the time he serves he must endure some terrible treatment from fellow inmates and guards alike. His wife, the totally stunning - Hazel, visits him weekly (at the beginning) and writes to him frequently. She is fighting for his release and trying to make ends meet and look after their baby boy. However, it seems Hazel is also galavanting around town with a family friend called Sullivan.
In one of Hazel’s letters to Carter she writes:
”�.I didn’t feel like going home and fixing anything. I’m afraid I was pooped and not very good company. Absolutely too tired to dance (after dinner), so you can imagine�
This describing one of her many nights out with Sullivan. All openly being played out. Were they having an affair � it’s all a bit suss isn’t it? However, they only have 20 minutes for Carter to discuss his concerns with Hazel during prison visits and he doesn’t want to spoil such a short amount of time confronting her about it and arguing, not even for a precious 5 minutes. So how does he play it? Oh my GOD, it would be soul destroying.
Naturally, Carter is concerned something might be going on. I need to leave the details there for now, otherwise I will be venturing into spoiler territory. Suffice to say, the plot becomes more complicated, involving treachery, violence, drugs, murder and abject criminality. It all ends up in a very tense finale.
Typically for this author, we know she is playing with us, but we willingly participate � like drunk lab rats in a maze and we helplessly submit ourselves to her cunning trickery. There were times, I thought I was sure what was happening then suddenly, things changed up a gear and I was forced into another direction. I could not put this thing down. It was all a bit tense, totally mysterious and at times unpleasant. Highsmith also explores the fascinating area of love and infidelity (even imagined infidelity - jealousy).
There’s something about the intrigue surrounding prison stories (is this a male thing?) and this one doesn’t disappoint. I really felt like I was put inside the head of this prisoner called Carter. This mediocre, professional, a bit soft and decent dude � subject to a world of horrors. Perhaps, one of our greatest fears � certainly mine!!
4-Stars or (95.6 Stars � see letter below, regarding my proposed CSRS system)
Dear Mr and Mrs ŷ � may I suggest we change the scoring system for these beloved pieces of work? How on earth are we expected to score in 20th percentile increments? For crying out loud, the points of differentiation between works of art is a very precise exercise. For example, I have read several of this author’s books and given them all 5-Stars. But they all can’t be 5-stars � and going to 4-stars is TOO MUCH of a drop. I think I speak for all ŷ Members here and suggest we go to a 100-Star multiplex rating system. I am sure all of my GR colleagues would be happy to re-score, yes rescore all their previous reviews, an exercise which shouldn’t take any longer than 24 hours (per 100 reviews) for most of us. This new Centurion Star Rating System, would allow us to apply sufficient finesse, and expert judgement on these works, rather than the current sledgehammer 5-star approach we are required to endure. After all, we aren’t rating our favourite ice cream flavours here!! Some understanding of this most elaborate of tasks would be appreciated. Yours Literally, Mark P...more
Sydney thought, as he was getting ready for bed, that it was very strange to be friends with an accuser who could not prove, and someone who could proSydney thought, as he was getting ready for bed, that it was very strange to be friends with an accuser who could not prove, and someone who could prove but not accuse
A Suspension of Mercy by Patricia Highsmith is a snappy little psychological thriller and the third book I have read by this author. The first, Deep Water, Highsmith duped me into wanting to be best buddies with a raging psychopath. The second, Carol, I read with a plastic bag over my head as the author slowly introduced me to the pleasures of a suffocating experience. The third, she threw a selection of short stories at me, in a book called Little Tales of Misogyny, some of which literally blew me away.
In this one, I couldn’t quite figure out what Highsmith was playing at. The story centres around an unhappily married couple, Sydney and Alicia. Alicia goes missing. Now, the author establishes a very, very uneasy relationship between the reader and Sydney. He is an author of thrillers and has a furtive imagination. However, this manifests itself by him dreaming up all types of scenarios, crimes, alibies, methods of murder � to keep his creative juices flowing. He also dabbles with stories about Alicia and her disappearance. But, as usual, Highsmith’s trickery isn’t straight forward. Are Sydney's creative musings fantasy, or are they details of what happened to Alicia. Did he do it?
One day he’d go just a little too far and kill her. He had thought of it many times.
I was left guessing right to the last. Again, she played with me � sometimes I liked Sydney, sometimes I thought he was horrible. But most importantly he was very interesting, this guy flew very, very close the wind. In my mind he has psychopathic tendencies mixed with a delicious sprinkling of a propensity for self-destruction. Brilliant.
If you like psychological thrillers, this page-turner will not disappoint.
I think friendships are the result of certain needs that can be completely hidden from both people, sometimes hidden forever.
This review is a bit tricI think friendships are the result of certain needs that can be completely hidden from both people, sometimes hidden forever.
This review is a bit tricky because I don’t want to give anything away. Carol, by the sublime Patricia Highsmith did not disappoint.
The story centres around a young woman called Therese, who is a theatre set designer but currently working at a store in the crazy world of the toy department at Christmas time. Something I would have liked I reckon � hard work, but imagine the buzz! Anyway, Therese spends her day working hard, mostly confused, suffering under the humourless conduct of the supercilious supervisors � then one day, the beautiful Carol comes in to buy a doll. It sounds like a small event doesn’t it? BUT � Therese is walloped into orbit by this stylish, mature woman. She is totally captivated by her style, presence, eyes, smell, clothes (everything!!!), she must contact her. She does this by sending her a Christmas card.
This is when the drama starts. That’s all I need to say about the storyline.
This suffocatingly, dark offering from Highsmith is engrossing. I deliberately didn’t read anything about this story before picking it up (Highsmith was enough) and if you haven’t read this, I would gently suggest you do the same. So, what are we dealing with here? Is it all about obsession? Well there is certainly that � Therese’s fixation with Carol is obvious. Is it love or is it some sort of psychopathic preoccupation? The reader doesn’t know � we are left guessing, wondering. This is a very uneasy read. Does one want the best for Carol and Therese? Not really, even though they’re not disagreeable characters � we still don’t really know what they’re about, what do they want from this relationship? There’s the rub.
My word, I found the last 60 or 70 pages totally engrossing. Towards the end, I even put the book down a few times to do something trivial like rearrange my bedside table, or play with my dog’s ears, or brush my teeth for the second time. I am being totally truthful here � I just did not want it to end.
Well, end it did. It wasn’t disappointing. Hopefully I’ve said enough but not too much.
5 Stars
Footnote: This is the second book in a row (The other being Terms of Endearment) where a Pet Goat features. What are the chances of that happening?...more
Little Tales of Misogyny by Patricia Highsmith is a lively collection of twenty or so short stories. Each story involves a female protagonist who is eLittle Tales of Misogyny by Patricia Highsmith is a lively collection of twenty or so short stories. Each story involves a female protagonist who is either the victim of, or perpetrator of a misdemeanour, situation or extreme act of violence. The stories are all so varied, and each of them interesting in their own right � very short, only 4 or 5 pages on average.
But as I’ve come to expect with this author, she was full of surprises. Sometimes (often) I experienced a “WTF� moment � literally gobsmacked!!! Other times the story seemed to just peter out, others ended abruptly. There is a certain absurdity and satirical element to this collection. All worthwhile � I must say!
My favourites were The Hand a great opening effort which was uber-macabre. Then The Dancer, oh so bloody sad!! There’s also The Perfect Little Lady about Thea � this one had some unexpected full-blown violence and reminded me to beware of the ‘nice ones�. There are quite a few other crackers, there’s also a small handful of stories which didn’t really have an impact on me, which I expected with a collection of short stories I suppose.
One of the most memorable moments was this wonderful, somehow comical description of the bombing of a School of Arts�..yes, the bombing of an Arts School.
One piano went through the roof, a bit separated from the student who was still seated on the stool, fingering nothing. A dancer at last made a few complete revolutions without her feet touching the ground, because she was a quarter of a mile high, and her toes even pointing skyward. An art student was flung though a wall, his brush poised ready to make the master stroke as he floated horizontally towards oblivion…�..
I’ve just been mugged, duped. Like a slow moving train, I knew it was coming but I was stuck there on the tracks, affixed, with a gormless look on my I’ve just been mugged, duped. Like a slow moving train, I knew it was coming but I was stuck there on the tracks, affixed, with a gormless look on my dial, panting and salivating. Very much in a state of excited expectation� thinking I was thinking the right thoughts, but no � this author was weaving a web.
She made me want the best for a psychopath, even when I kind of knew the character was a killer. How did that happen? I was still hoping, hoping I was wrong, hoping this person was the victim.
Alas, I was siding myself with the worst of the worst, the evilest of evil � a devious devil.
Made me think, am I hacked from the same cloth as this killer? *wipes blood off kitchen knife�. hideous giggle*�...no way!! I only liked the bits of the psychopath which were likeable. Liked the likeable bits. This one was a friendly fiend. This one was always reading books on diverse, interesting topics, like stained glass or Tiberius. Who’d not befriend and chat with a person like that? I would. I'd chat and exchange bits of information all day with this one - with gay abandon. I’d even visit their den for a cocktail � even be fascinated by their snail collection. Hey, they might even put on a show. Fascinating.
Yes, fascinating Patricia Highsmith, this is the first time we’ve met � it won’t be the last, I will be ready for you, and your little tricks next time, your ploys � I won’t be so easily swindled. You watch, if you could.
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