The Talented Mr Ripley

by Penguin (Adapter), Patricia Highsmith

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.

Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.

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The Talented Mr Ripley, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.

In the 1950s, Tom Ripley travels from the United States of America to Italy, to find Dickie Greenleaf and bring him home to his father. But when Tom sees Dickie's money and relaxed way of life, he becomes jealous and begins to make other plans.

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Genres: Italy

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2022

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read. I didn’t realise this wasn’t the original book until after I had started. This was the only copy available on Libby.

I studied the film back in 2016 so it had that hit of nostalgia for me. I didn’t remember the ending, but maybe the film ended differently?

Honestly, this was like a vacation for my brain as it was so easy to read. Very quick. Almost like a thriller for teens if I’m honest.

[Sadie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I could fix Tom Ripley…

[David Quinlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 STARS

A thoroughly excellent read.

I really loved Highsmith's world building the most. While I may have had some ideas from the clips I've seen from the American movie adaptation, I think that her descriptions of Italy, the attitude of daily life there and also the clothing, with its particular details, was just incredible.

It was suspenseful, engaging and very well-paced throughout. While the ending is a little bit out there, given how primitive the techniques the police force would have used to track someone's fingerprints at that point, I suppose it's believable.

All in all, a really, really good read and would highly recommend.

[Martyn Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having seen the film several times and it being one of my most loved films, decided to read the actual book. Have to say it didn’t disappoint and loved it just as much. The original film (with Matt Damon & Jude Law) does have quite a number of changes from the book however, the Netflix remake (which I watched after reading the book) is very loyal to the book.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bueno, te sorprende bastante por la ingenuidad de todo el mundo en general ajsj. Además, la forma de narrar es bastante particular y engancha (al menos a mí).

PS: fue un regalo lo que lo hace todavía más especial ❤️

[Carles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mai abans havia llegit un llibre de la Patricia Highsmith. Si més no, que jo recordi. M'ha semblat un llibre on el personatge principal, Tom Ripley, està molt ben construït. És un personatge complex i profund, amb molts matissos. Personalment interessant trobo com planteja l'autora la capacitat de fantasiejar del personatge. M'agrada com combina aquestes fantasies, projeccions i fugides mentals del personatge amb uns fets que es desenvolupen de forma gairebé independent del personatge.

Al meu parer, la sort juga un paper gairebé tant important com el propi Tom Ripley en aquesta obra. Ara bé, és difícil saber si ella es convertirà en un personatge més sobre el qual l'autora reflexionara i ens en pintarà una imatge. Segurament s'hauria de seguir llegint més llibres d'en Tom Ripley, però per ara no és una activitat que em motivi especialment.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good especially after watching the movie I had a new respect for the detail of the book and I liked the story line of the book more. Definitely wasn’t as exciting as the previous book but in between the yap there was very good parts

[Ned · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing is hard, and Highsmith is good at the craft but...

I always find it interesting when a female author writes a story centred around the lives and affairs of men. It is neither inherently a good or bad thing, but something I like to think about.
Especially in this story, where the female characters are so incredibly shallow and carelessly created. First of all, Marge. A fawning woman whose only role is to .... be in love with a man. Oh and she writes, but we (as per the author's presentation) should find this menial and embarrassing. We know briefly of Cleo, but she is simply there to help the readers understand Tom's sexuality. Because why would a man be just friends with a woman unless he's gay?

The aesthetic value was admittedly charming, but I fear falls into an American view of the European continent - a fear that is given incredibly more weight by the fact that all of the key characters are American expats or tourists (perhaps an unrealistic number of them). The only local characters we briefly meet are disappointing stereotypes. Of course, it is constantly mentioned that Dicky loves Europe (and by that we mean Italy, Greece, and Spain).

Highsmith is a notably controversial woman, and I do not doubt that we wouldn't get along, but the story has a good pace (if a little complex to follow at times) and she has a knack for creating deep and complex (male) characters who do win our empathy and interest.

[Andrew Hamling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Ripley is a very likeable guy, but one who has done little with his life. He gets along with petty cons and frauds. Until he cons Herbert Greenleaf into sending him on an all expenses paid trip to find his son, Dickie, and persuade him to return to America. It doesn't take him long to find Dickie, but, rather than persuade him to come home, he's attracted by Dickie's lifestyle and quickly aspires to be like him - and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Tom is a charmer, but also a delusional narcissist - and psychopath to boot. Other people simply exist to facilitate his desires - and when they become expendable, he gets rid of them. Murder, in his mind, is a perfectly justifiable means to an end and he's willing to commit it without conscience. Highsmith asks us to be charmed by Ripley; to sympathise with him and, maybe, even to identify with him; to want him to continually evade justice. I found that difficult; I could not suspend disbelief - a factor necessary in mystery/crime writing. It's not without its merits, but I'll not be picking up any of the following Ripley novels any time soon.

[Vincenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a cleverly paced psychological thriller that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Patricia Highsmith expertly crafts a gripping storyline full of unexpected twists, moral ambiguity, and escalating tension. The novel’s vivid depictions of Italy—its sun-drenched coastlines, elegant cities, and moody alleys—add a rich, immersive backdrop to Tom Ripley’s chilling transformation. It’s a mesmerizing exploration of identity, deceit, and desire, delivered with elegance and striking precision.

***

Il talento di Mr. Ripley è un thriller psicologico dal ritmo avvincente, capace di catturare il lettore fin dalle prime pagine. Highsmith costruisce con grande astuzia una trama ricca di colpi di scena, ambiguità morali e tensione crescente. Le vivide descrizioni dell’Italia—con le sue coste assolate, le città eleganti e i vicoli carichi di atmosfera—offrono uno sfondo affascinante alla lenta e inquietante trasformazione di Tom Ripley. È un romanzo magnetico, che esplora identità, inganno e desiderio con eleganza e precisione.

[Molly Koeneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Talented Mr Ripley" is a book I read for my local book club. On its own, I would have disliked the experience of reading this book if I did not have the anticipation of discussing it with a group of edgy, opinionated women. Instead of an outright review, I'd like to suggest a few discussion questions you could ponder while reading.

* Is Mr. Ripley talented or just lucky?
* Is Ripley a sociopath?
* Are any of the characters likable?
* Why do we want Ripley to get away with his crimes?
* What signifies Ripley's obsession with dress?
* Why would this book *not* work in a modern setting?
* What role does Italy play in the plot? Could this book have happened in America? Could it have happened in another foreign place?
* What are your thoughts on the narration? Though 3rd person limited, is the omniscient narrator a reliable one?

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did Saltburn get made and it not just be 98% plagiarism? This is a story very much of its time period and really reflects understandings of wealth, status, social acceptance of sexual preferences and the arrogance of Americans - which I cannot tell is genuine or satirical. Tom is so interesting given his lack of empathy to those he kills and yet it's almost like he wants to be caught out, I can understand why this ended up as a series of stories rather than a one off hit; but it's not good enough to make me want to read more.

[James Tsirikos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first fictional book I’ve read in years, and I can’t wait to delve into the rest of Patricia Highsmith’s. Straight to the point, excellently written and paced. I love the subtle spelling errors and changes in grammar such as ‘mr Reepley’ when Italians pronounced his name etc, it just paints an even more vivid image in your mind.

The ending had me absolutely HOOKED and I totally couldn’t call where it was going one page to the next. Loved it!!

[Fran Cantero Soriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

No need to comment on the multiple adaptations of this novel as none of them are able to translate the craft of Patricia Highsmith. The best book of the Ripley saga. Mystery, love, queerness at its core. An addictive book with a narrative style that doesn’t die. Be ready to be embarked in the mind of a con artist that you would sympathise with.

The book I always gift!

[T Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters were sufficiently interesting and the plot sufficiently plausible to make this an enjoyable read.
And a shout out for the 1950s or at least authors of the 1950s - who seem to be to a man and a woman who write simply, efficiently and economically. An art mny modern authors would do well to reclaim.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente. De los mejores libros de crimen que he leído. Si te gusta Agatha Christie, te gustará Patricia Highsmith. Lo leí porque quería leer algo parecido a la película Saltburn y no me decepcionó. Ya quiero leer los siguientes libros de la saga de Ripley.

[Megan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning to read this for years and so glad I finally got around to it! The writing and plot are so engaging, and there were a couple of almost unbearably tense scenes. This was a really enjoyable read!

[Àlex Pérez de A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Qué barbaridad "El Talento de Mr Ripley"! Highsmith crea una historia retorcida y tensa donde todo es posible. Me gusta mucho como, a diferencia de otras historias donde deseas que el prota (el malo de la historia) se salga con la suya, aquí no paras de desear que todo se complique.

[Tristan Copley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute gem. I don't usually dig crimes or thrillers but this is so deeply psychological and well written I've been thinking about it regularly since reading. Different to and better than the film - well worth a read.

[Tom H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the twists and turns were fun and the author did a good job of inspiring incredulity, but I found the language very repetitive, my copy had lots of typos and I could like any of the characters at all.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penguin Readers edition so presumably abridged. Enjoyable read though to get an idea of the story.

[AtomicBiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't quite what I expected though I enjoyed it overall.

[Ella Omotosho · Rating 4 out of 5]

mat damon

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

so now I need to read the full version...

[Joe Locascio · Rating 4 out of 5]

horrible ending...NETFLIX adaptation much better

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in a while, very well written and the book is filled with plot twists. Also the book is set mostly in Italy, a pleasure to read.

[Irene M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buena trama pero no puedo con la manera de escribir

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, especially in the parts where Ripley is nearly caught.
I enjoy the aesthetic and I think I enjoyed the book more having watched the Jude Law film first.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and it kept me gripped however the ending let me down