Book Club: Read ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ With the Book Review

Welcome to the Book Review Book Club. Every month, we select a book to discuss on our podcast and with our readers. Please leave your thoughts on this month’s book in this article’s comments. And be sure to check out some of our past conversations, including ones about “James,” by Percival Everett, and “Headshot,” by Rita Bullwinkel.

When it comes to summer reading, I’m torn between two philosophies. On one hand, I think that summer, with its long, leisurely hours, is the perfect time to dive into a classic that you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t gotten around to yet. (You have the time now — when else are you going to do your ambitious reading?) And on the other hand, I think the summer is the season of vacation, the season of relaxing, so pick up something fun, something entertaining, something propulsive, and enjoy.

But why choose between one philosophy or the other? Why not pick up a book that accomplishes both?

That’s why for July, the Book Review Book Club is reading Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 thriller “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”

The novel follows a young, down-on-his-luck scammer, Tom Ripley, who is looking to reverse his fortunes. When he receives a job offer to go to Italy and retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich socialite on an endless holiday, Tom finds the perfect opportunity to work his way into the upper crust. But as he becomes more and more obsessed with Dickie and Dickie’s life, the breezy getaway turns into something much more sinister, sending them down a dangerous path.