Another weak story in the Ripliad

Highsmith can write great characters and scenes but simply not stories. The Berlin kidnapping / drag queen storyline is absurd. And the limp ending made it all seem so pointless. Ugh

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Compelling

Dark, elaborate and brilliantly constructed novel. Bleak but often weirdly funny. Well read, good pitch

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Masterpiece

Despite its age, the quality of the writing leaves it sounding modern. Well read too.

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Great story, shame about the narrator

Seriously, could you not find a narrator who can pronounce the German word for ‘the’ - and basic Italian place names like Perugia? There’s a lot of German in this and the narrator hasn’t a clue and it’s very very irritating and cringey. He also has a bizarre baritone voice he puts on for the women characters.

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Engaging

As always with Highsmith, a very engaging tale. This is my second listen. Loved it both times. Good narration, though as has become customary several strange pronunciations. Enjoyed narration overall, though the strange, deep voice of Madame Annette was a little weird! Sounded like a drag act on a cigarette break!

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Well written and performed but very slow

I like P Highsmith's style and the performance but not a lot happens in this Ripley. I only completed the listen to complete the Ripley series and for more insight into Ripley.

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Not a classic but a steady read

If you’re after the thrill and wonder of book 1 of the series then you won’t find it here however it has far more to it than the previous two. It’s less complex and is easier to understand. I still don’t quite understand why Tom would get as involved with Frank as he does but there it is. It’s worth the time as it speeds along and keeps your interest pricked. It’s certainly more ‘modern’ than the two preceding it but you can’t escape the fact book one is in its own class and everything else a good deal wanting. Pat is still a master, if not of suspense in this case but of the human condition.

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1 person found this helpful

Another Ripley stunner

Another top tier Ripley. This one returns to the homoeroticism seemingly forgotten in the previous two books, but similar to Ripley's Game sees our dastardly protagonist become sympathetic to another soul.
With the exception of Ripley Under Ground this has been such a strong franchise. I'm sad that I've already reached the final installment.

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not good

tired and we'll,not a good listen!
won't listen each Ripley book has got worse now I don't care what happens to him

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Ripley sinks to new lows

Probably the most boring kidnap story every told. Nothing happens.... and it happens very slowly. I thought Ripley was a sociopath? Apparently not. Confusing and out of step with the previous books. The more I listen to the Ripley series, the more I think the author forgot who this character was and what drove him. Just dissapointingly dull.

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