By Patricia Highsmith

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

• Level 5 – Upper-Intermediate• Writer: Patricia Highsmith• Psychological thriller novel• Published: 1955

• Patricia Highsmith• Movie adaptations• Characters: - Tom Ripley

- Richard (Dickie) Greenleaf - Marge Sherwood• Plot• Opinion

PATRICIA HIGHSMITHSeries of Tom Ripley novels:

• The talented Mr. Ripley (1955)• Ripley Under Ground (1970)• Ripley's Game (1974)• The Boy Who Followed Ripley (1980)• Ripley Under Water (1991)

˝My imagination works much better when I don’t have to speak to people.˝

MOVIE ADAPTATIONS

Plein soleil (1960) The talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

TOM RIPLEY

- hedonist

- manipulative

- killer

- Identity thief- sociopath

• ˝In Tom Ripley, Patricia Highsmith has created one of the most unusual and unforgettable characters in modern fiction. She explores the complicated psychology of a man who dislikes other people but who cannot understand why he is disliked by them; a selfish man who can only think about himself – although he dislikes himself even more than he dislikes other people. Who is the real Tom Ripley? What does he really want in life, and why does he want it so badly? And why must he always live his life just one step away from disaster? As you follow Tom Ripley on his adventures, you will find yourself strangely interested in the darkness of his heart. You will be filled with disgust and admiration – but you will never be bored.˝

Richard (dickie)GREENLEAF

MARGE SHERWOOD

- rich American- Mongibelo- arrogant

- writer- in love with Dickie

PLOT

• Herbert Greenleaf’s offer• Friendship

with Dickie• Trip to San

Remo• Murder on the

boat

PLOT• Taking over Dickie’s ..identity• Murder of Freddie Miles• Returning to Tom Ripley• Visit from private ..investigator

• ˝He stared at Dicike’s closed eyes. A crazy emotion of hate, of warmth, of impatience and frustration was rising in him, preventing his breathing. He wanted to kill Dickie(...) because he was leaving Dickie anyway and what was there to be ashamed of any more? He had offered Dickie friendship and respect, everything he had to offfer, and Dickie had answered with coldness and now dislike.˝

• “I won't ever set the world on fire as a painter,' Dickie said, 'but I get a great deal of pleasure out of it.”