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Mark Porton's Reviews > The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley, #1)
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One 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.
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.
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 ? 😉
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.
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.
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 ? 😉
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Reading Progress
March 24, 2025
–
Started Reading
March 24, 2025
– Shelved
March 24, 2025
– Shelved as:
highsmith
March 26, 2025
–
61.25%
"Ahhhh......it's nice to be lying here with Patty Highsmith again. Brilliant!!!!"
page
166
March 30, 2025
–
Finished Reading
March 31, 2025
– Shelved as:
thriller
March 31, 2025
– Shelved as:
suspense
March 31, 2025
– Shelved as:
crime-fiction
Comments Showing 1-50 of 66 (66 new)
message 1:
by
Pedro
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Mar 31, 2025 05:22AM
Oh, Mr President, why did I find everything about this book so unbelievable?? Why?? 🥲
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Mmmmm......it's fiction Pedro, sometimes we have to suspend belief 🤗🤗
Love to see the five stars! Looking forward to reading your review.
That might be the answer then, Mr President, because I’m really bad at suspending belief. Actually, I don’t even want to do it. 😆
He's one bad character I was rooting for all the way. Brilliant and cool as a cucumber.
Looking forward to reading about what made this so fun for you, Mark. I’ve never read Ripley, but I loved the recent series, they really captured the time and the creepiness
Some day I’ll get around to reading this, esp after your love of it.
Agreed in many respects though I can't say as much for the sequel..writing is art and individual tastes vary
Jonas wrote: "Love to see the five stars! Looking forward to reading your review."Cheers Jonas!
Pedro wrote: "That might be the answer then, Mr President, because I’m really bad at suspending belief. Actually, I don’t even want to do it. 😆"Come on Pedro, it's the best thing. I spend my life suspending belief - it's a lot safer than reality sometimes, and a hell of a lot more fun my friend 🤗
Chrissie wrote: "Mine too! 😂"Sorry Chrissie, "mine too?" - Que?
Diane wrote: "He's one bad character I was rooting for all the way. Brilliant and cool as a cucumber."I'm so glad you felt the same about him Diane, we were duped by Highsmith, right? What a great character - have you seen the movie and the series? He was super cool too, I agree.
Jennifer wrote: "Looking forward to reading about what made this so fun for you, Mark. I’ve never read Ripley, but I loved the recent series, they really captured the time and the creepiness"Just posted Jenn - the first five readers of my review get 5 free likes and a glowing comment 🤗🎈🏍�...............you need to read this!!!
Judith wrote: "Some day I’ll get around to reading this, esp after your love of it."It's well worth it Judith, addable and readable and enjoyable!!!!
Canadian Jen wrote: "Ripley believe it or not...!"Now Jen Jen, just quietly (Jesus, there's always one in every group), "that's the wrong bloody Ripley" (I said that last bit with a Michael Caine accent BTW). You'd love this!!!!
Jonathan wrote: "Agreed in many respects though I can't say as much for the sequel..writing is art and individual tastes vary"Awwwww man, you've just taken the wind out of my sails, I was looking froward to the series. Are they hopeless or just not as good?
Love your review, Mark. You captured the essence of Ripley really well. Such a villain that I couldn’t help rooting for:)
Antoinette wrote: "Love your review, Mark. You captured the essence of Ripley really well. Such a villain that I couldn’t help rooting for:)"Thanks heaps Antoinette - I'll have to rush over and check out your review.......as you know I'm always reluctant to comment on other friend's rating (because it's impolite) - but you're missing a star!!!! Thanks again 🤗
Glad you enjoyed this so much Mark!Terrific review!
Great review, Mark and you still have four more Ripley books to read!
What a cracking review and visuals Mark! I loved the movie and I also highly recommend the TV series which is on Netflix, amazing artsy cinematography for the TV version too! So now the only thing I haven't consumed is the book. I might have to read it even though I already know the story! Stellar review!🤗
This is a wonderful review, Mark! I’m not a fan of thrillers, but I feel lured into this one. The way an author can get into your mind and make you root for the narcissistic, sociopathic character is truly something we readers love to be drawn to, right? Hahaha� Italy definitely attracts me, I see that this was the cherry on top of the cake for this book, si? 😉Muchos abrazos! 🥰
Karen wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this so much Mark!Terrific review!"
Thanks heaps Kazza - always a pleasure 🤗🎈
Chris wrote: "Fab review!"Cheers Chris - thank you 🤗🎈
Esta wrote: "What a cracking review and visuals Mark! I loved the movie and I also highly recommend the TV series which is on Netflix, amazing artsy cinematography for the TV version too! So now the only thing ..."Thanks heaps Esta - the film and the series were both brilliant right. I think I almost like the series better than the movie. I also reckon the book is better than both - so good - you should read it, you know you want to 😂🤗
Maricarmen wrote: "This is a wonderful review, Mark! I’m not a fan of thrillers, but I feel lured into this one. The way an author can get into your mind and make you root for the narcissistic, sociopathic character ..."Awwww Maricarmen, thank you so much. Yes, we all like being lured into uncomfortable situations like rooting for such a person. This is really good - It's not really at the high end scale of thrillers, more suspense and intrigue - even though I put it on my 'thrillers' shelf.
Oh - Italia, si, si si - un pais muy hermosa. La comida, unas personas, las vistas - todos!! Muchas gracias Missy M - Muchos abrazos grandes para ti, tambien 😍🥰🎈🌹
Been waiting at the library for my turn for so long. Can't wait until it gets to me!
I hope you can get hold of it soon Hannah. It's wonderful 🤗
Wow! Of course, you won’t deceive your dear friends here. This book sounds amazing. You sold it brilliantly, Mark.
No way, Laysee!!! I'd never deceive you and our mates on here - does that include mucking around? Because I can't guarantee an end to that type of behaviour!! Thanks again 🤗
Do you know I've never read Patricia Highsmith despite all the accolades she's received from my GR friends?
OMG I am the one in every group?! I will likely check out the series. I'm so insulted....hahaa.
Great review, Mark! This is on my TBR. I must get to it soon!
Lisa wrote: "Do you know I've never read Patricia Highsmith despite all the accolades she's received from my GR friends?"Well, can we remedy this Lisa???? Deep Water, was my first one by Patty H - Highly recommended :))
Canadian Jen wrote: "OMG I am the one in every group?! I will likely check out the series. I'm so insulted....hahaa."No way? You know you were creating trouble Jen Jen - hahahaha. Anyway, this is magic - I know you'll love it :))
Jeannie wrote: "Great review, Mark! This is on my TBR. I must get to it soon!"So happy to see you added this one Jeannie, enjoy!!!!
Wonderful review, Mark, down to the very last drop❣️😉 I thought this might be worth reading for more of the Marge-Dickie relationship alone, but then you tell us that here we root for Ripley!? And that this immerses us in romantic Italy? What am I waiting for? (Funny, I dreamt this morning that I was in Italy). I’m so bummed I didn’t make it in the first 5 to comment, lol
Bahahahaha Jenn, the only remedy here is...(Dr Book Speaking)....is grab this book, read it, review it, and say that was brilliant 🤣
Markus, before you comment on my 4 stars, I'm going to say right here that maybe, just maybe, it was a 5 star book for me too! Mainly because I remember having so much fun reading it, plus the clever way Highsmith had me feeling for the bad guy! Oh, and Italy. And that cast of characters in the film. Ah, I wish I could be transported to that image in your review right now! Fabulous review, my friend!
Yes, yes, yes yes, yes to each of your five stars, Mark. She's simply brilliant.
I love the images of the film you included in your review. Have you seen the incredible (and very different) recent series starring Andrew Scott??
I need to make Ms. Highsmith's acquaintance one of these days. Odd to see such a young-looking Mr. Damon! Where do the years go?
Candi wrote: "Markus, before you comment on my 4 stars, I'm going to say right here that maybe, just maybe, it was a 5 star book for me too! Mainly because I remember having so much fun reading it, plus the clev..."Whhhooooaaa!! Canders, am I the type of friend to judge another friend's ratings?? Hahahahaha - you bet. WHERE IS THE FIFTH STAR MY FRIEND????
In all seriousness, I loved your review, you nailed it and I hope you've watched the Andrew Scott, as Ripley, series. Thanks so much again :))
Robin wrote: "Yes, yes, yes yes, yes to each of your five stars, Mark. She's simply brilliant.
I love the images of the film you included in your review. Have you seen the incredible (and very different) rece..."
Well, you remember don't you Robin - it was you who introduced me to Patty. One dark night in a public toilet (...........just hang on with me here, I'm getting to the point), and I heard a shuffling in the cubicle. Then a hushed "hey.....", I moved to that door and a slip of paper was pushed under the door. It said "Patricia Highsmith, Deep Water" - so thanks you for that.
This is a classic I think, Patty at her best, I reckon the Andrew Scott version is better than the movie, you agree??
Left Coast Justin wrote: "I need to make Ms. Highsmith's acquaintance one of these days. Odd to see such a young-looking Mr. Damon! Where do the years go?"Now Justin, my friend, we've had this discussion before dude. Do we need an intervention??? Can we have a chat - we need to move you into the wonderful world of Patricia Highsmith - this is a great place to start BUT Deep Water was my start, and I haven't looked back mate.
For years I have held off watching this movie in hopes of reading the book first. But so far, I have not even so much as downloaded it onto my kindle. That needs to change. This actually sounds like precisely the kind of book I’d enjoy! Great review Mark!
Super kind of you again Beda. Whether your read this, watch the movie or the Netflix series, in any order - you won't be disappointed, I'm sure. Thx again:)) 😊
Stellar review, Mark! I haven't read Highsmith yet and I think this would be a great one to start with.
