THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY by Patricia Highsmith

A classic tale of evil, a young man with no morals, completely indifferent to those around him, using murder as a means to an end, even if he may not like what he is actually having to do. The wonderful thing about the writing of this novel, is that there are many aspects of Tom's personality and general behaviour that you actually like and warm to. It is just unfortunate that people keep getting in Tom's way as he goes about his life.

And what is his life? This is the first in a series of five novels about Tom Ripley. Set in the early 1950s, when the war is well and truly over, people are starting to have money to spend again, a little hedonism even is creeping back into daily living. Tom is a young man,  an orphan, a drifter, wanting a big life, envious and desirous of the well-heeled and pleasurable lives he sees around him. The father of a wealthy young man he met some months previously tracks Tom down, asking him, begging him  really to go to Italy and see if he can persuade the son - Dickie Greenwood, to return to New York, work for the family business, and generally get his life sorted out. What an opportunity! Tom naturally accepts - all expenses paid trip to Italy, who wouldn't accept.

Due to the only mode of transport between New York and Rome being a passenger ship, Tom has plenty of time to plot a strategy, figure out a way to insinuate himself into Dickie's life, because he knows Dickie will have no idea who he is. So it begins. Putting it simply Tom wants Dickie's life, and he sets about getting it.

Life moves at a slower pace in these times - ships and boats, lots of walking, letter writing, public telephone boxes. The setting on the coast somewhere between Rome and Naples is idyllic, languorous with its warm still days, little to do other than swim, paint, sail, drink, laze around. As a result at all times I felt like I was holding my breath, every part of Tom's thought processes. his plotting, his incredible talent of deceit and manipulation on show, almost as if we can see inside his brain and his soul. If there is one.  Patricia Highsmith has created a monster in this young man.

There is plenty on line about the novel, the character of Tom, interviews with the author - all intriguing and fascinating. There are also study guides so it must be on curriculums in school/college/university. You could read all those, but read the book instead then go to these other sources. I saw the movie, but that is now 20 years ago, somewhat hazy. Despite the time gap, it is still easy for the characters of the movie to colour the characters in the novel. Matt, Jude, Gwyneth - I think they did their characters proud. So looking forward to reading the next 4.