The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a novel by Patricia Highsmith, published in 1955. It is also the title of a 1999 feature film based on the novel and directed by Anthony Minghella.

The plot of the novel

Ripley was a young man struggling to make a living in New York City, with no prospects but with a talent to survive by doing whatever is required. When approached by the wealthy Herbert Greenleaf to travel to Italy to persuade Greenleaf's errant son, Dickie, to return to the United States and assume his responsibilities, Ripley sees this as an opportunity. Shortly after his arrival in Italy, he meets Greenleaf and his girlfriend Marge Sherwood, and quickly insinuates himself into their lives. An old friend, Freddie Miles comes for a visit, and is immediately suspicious of Ripley's motives. His presence shatters Ripley's idyll and causes him to be pushed aside.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While Ripley blames Freddie for this, it becomes clear that Greenleaf has made his own decision. Greenleaf has a reputation for discarding people when he has grown tired of them, and he begins to resent Ripley's constant presence and growing dependence. Ripley's own feelings are complicated by his desire to maintain the new wealthy lifestyle Greenleaf has afforded him, and by his growing attraction to Greenleaf. The two men travel away together for a holiday but when Greenleaf finally confronts Ripley and tells him he'll be returning him the USA after the holiday, Ripley begins to make plans. The two hire a small boat, and Ripley murders Greenleaf onboard, then sinking the boat containing the body.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He assumes Greenleaf's identity, carefully providing communications to Marge to assure her that Greenleaf has merely deserted her while living off Greenleaf's allowance. Freddie Miles suspects something is wrong, and when he comes to visit Greenleaf in his apartment in Rome, discovers Ripley in his place. The confrontation results in Ripley murdering Freddie. Ripley's existence becomes a cat and mouse game with the Italian police with Ripley managing to keep himself safe by restoring his own identity and moving to Venice. In succession, Marge, Greenleaf's father and an American private detective confront Ripley. He contemplates murdering Marge, but when he finally realises that they have accepted his story, changes his mind. The story concludes with Ripley travelling to Greece.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~