Tom Ripley is quietly living a life of luxury at his chateau at Villeperce, and, as ever, is keeping one step ahead of the law - he has, after all, a past that would not bear too much close scrutiny. This fifth novel featuring the protagonist Tom Ripley finds the sophisticated and amoral American expatriate being harassed by David Pritchard, a fellow American whose boorishness marks him as something of Ripley's alter-ego. Inexplicably familiar with all the incriminating details of Ripley's past, Pritchard is determined to ...
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Tom Ripley is quietly living a life of luxury at his chateau at Villeperce, and, as ever, is keeping one step ahead of the law - he has, after all, a past that would not bear too much close scrutiny. This fifth novel featuring the protagonist Tom Ripley finds the sophisticated and amoral American expatriate being harassed by David Pritchard, a fellow American whose boorishness marks him as something of Ripley's alter-ego. Inexplicably familiar with all the incriminating details of Ripley's past, Pritchard is determined to expose him. He shadows Ripley's every move, first spying on him at home in France and then following him to Morocco. Tensions build on the return to Villeperce as Pritchard sets out to locate a body Ripley would prefer remain hidden in a nearby river.
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Seller's Description:
NF in NF jacket. Not ex-lib. Red tinting to mid fore edges pp.101-138; presumably remainder mark. Hardcover in grey paper over boards and grey quarter cloth, in white jacket, 8vo. 1st American edition (stated). 309pp. + colophon. NF to Fine/NF. Apart from remaider mark, book is as new: bright, sharp and unmarked with exceptionally tight, never broken-in binding and hinges. Jacket has mild rubbing over front hinge ridges, light curl along upper eges of inner flaps; else bright, clean and sharp in jacket.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Stated First Edition, first printing with no additional printings noted, in fine / like new condition. The pages are clean and crisp with no bent corners. Boards are as new, and the spine is square and tight. The dust jacket is clean and undamaged. Remainder mark on the tail edge of the text block. The book is in excellent condition with an unclipped DJ. All items guaranteed, and a portion of each sale supports social programs in Los Angeles. Ships from CA.
Somehow the sociopathic Ripley get rid of his nemesis, the nosy American who has something on him. Highsmith is great at getting into the mind of a louse and making us sympathize with him. Read the other Ripley books before this on (the previous is Ripley Under Ground) for the background of this sly story.
27rus
May 25, 2007
Finishing up...
... the Ripley story created out of the streets and two-storey houses it's easy to speculate that show goes on, it never ends. This time the sins of Tom's past were on the edge of that pond where they got buried again - for how long? we never know. I'm just so curious if Heloise will leave him, after all, or, I mean, did she leave him? Frankly, Tom does not seem quite a male, neither female, and the 'it' must have been supposed to create such the impression: between two different patterns, between two different lives, between good and evil. But it always remains a dilema, if a bit of ripley is somewhere inside your neighbour waiting to jump out just in time you never expect it. That's not the book you enjoy, but it's the theme that get you scared.
