
The Boy Who Followed Ripley
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Narrated by:
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Kevin Kenerly
About this listen
Now part of American film and literary lore, Tom Ripley, "a bisexual psychopath and art forger who murders without remorse when his comforts are threatened" (New York Times Book Review), was Patricia Highsmith's favorite creation.
In The Boy Who Followed Ripley, Highsmith explores Ripley's bizarrely paternal relationship with a troubled young runaway, whose abduction draws them into Berlin's seamy underworld. More than any other American literary character, Ripley provides "a lens to peer into the sinister machinations of human behavior." (John Freeman, Pittsburgh Gazette).
©1980 Patricia Highsmith. 1993 by Diogenes Verlag AG, Zurich (P)2012 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. As part of the whole Ripley series. Highsmith's character is a lesson in human nature. the amazing thing about Ripley is that he is such a perfect survivor. Ripley is completely unable to understand the reactions and sensibilities of 'normal' people. and yet he is not devoid of empathy or compassion. He just lacks conscience. He is an enigma but a believable on in Patricia Highsmith's skilled hands. And the reader likes him and doesn't want him to be caught.What other book might you compare The Boy Who Followed Ripley to and why?
Denise Mina's Deception - the amount of self-deception by a point of view character is comparable. Although more happens in Mina's book. In the Ripley series it is just Tom Ripley, Tom Ripley, Tom Ripley. Highsmith keeps us fascinated with watching him shop, and go about his daily routine.What about Kevin Kenerly’s performance did you like?
He stayed out of the writers way and kept his performance subtle, nuanced and note perfect.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I am moved whenever Tom Ripley refers back to Dickie Greenleaf. The murder of Dickie in the first novel is the moment that his psyche shattered into a million pieces so that he can never truly see himself or world clearly. But every time the author evokes that incident the reader feels that shattering again even as Tom skims over it. it is chilling.Tom Ripley
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With the first three books in the Riplad, I bought into the idea that Tom Ripley was absolutely amoral. But that expecation, that setup, makes this novel seem even more crafty. Highsmith bends genders, flips expecations, dodges emotions, transforms motives, etc., and almost clones Ripley with Frank.
Probably the most disturbing character in the whole series is Tom's wife Heloise. I can sympathize Tom's amorality easy enough, but I just can't UNDERSTAND Heloise. While nothing about her is directly creepy, it is like Highsmith is using Heloise to point a finger at the West or perhaps at the reader.
Ripley coldly floats between two steep cliffs.
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4th of Ripliad
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What did you like best about The Boy Who Followed Ripley? What did you like least?
I greatly enjoyed the series up until this book; however this title was less fresh and less compelling than the previous works.If you’ve listened to books by Patricia Highsmith before, how does this one compare?
The plot did not crackle as much as the plots of her previous "Ripley" books had. This felt tired and I stubbled to maintain my attention.What does Kevin Kenerly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Kevin Kenerly is a master narrator. As he had read the previous "Ripley" books, he has a great interpretation of the characters that remains consistent from book to book.Do you think The Boy Who Followed Ripley needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
I am not sure - I have yet to read the follow-up, as this one was such a disappointment. Perhaps this title was just an anomaly - or it might have been the signal of a series that had lost its drive.The Ripley Series Begins To Run Out Of Steam
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Highsmith’s Ripley, Superb Again
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What did you love best about The Boy Who Followed Ripley?
I like how Ripley has evolved and the various situations he is placed in.What did you like best about this story?
the author has cleverly placed you inside the mind of Ripley. and a fascinating mind it isDid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I thought it was great how Ripley wore a ' costume ' and took on the kidnappers. Absolute genius of the imaginationAny additional comments?
this is not the most thrilling of the Ripley series, but you should give it your time.Once again, Ripley is a fascinating character
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Better than I expected
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I've liked the narrator throughout the series. However, if you're familiar at all with the German language, his attempts at German will sound like nails on a chalkboard to you. It definitely doesn't ruin the storytelling, but I did find it distracting.
My favorite Ripley sequel by far
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Narration is superb
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Cool, sad, taut
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