Ripley Under Water

Summary

In the novel «Ripley Under Water», Tom Ripley, living a quiet life in France, faces the threat of exposure. An American couple, David and Janice Pritchard, begin investigating the disappearance of Dickie Greenleaf, an old acquaintance of Ripley's whom he killed many years ago. The Pritchards suspect Ripley and start watching him, causing him anxiety. Tom tries to keep his secret by manipulating the situation and eliminating threats. Ultimately, thanks to his cunning and resourcefulness, Ripley manages to avoid exposure and maintain his peaceful life.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of the theme of double life and moral ambiguity through the character of Tom Ripley, who leads a double life, concealing his crimes and manipulating those around him.
• The theme of identity and self-awareness, where Ripley constantly balances between his true nature and how he wants others to perceive him.
• Psychological tension and a cat-and-mouse game between Ripley and those trying to uncover his secrets, creating an atmosphere of constant threat and distrust.
• Exploration of human nature and moral boundaries, where Ripley, despite his crimes, evokes sympathy and understanding from the reader.
• The theme of art and forgery as a metaphor for Ripley's life, who creates a false reality around himself to hide his crimes and maintain the illusion of normalcy.

Style and Technique

The novel «Ripley Under Water» by Patricia Highsmith continues the series about Tom Ripley, and in it, the author maintains her characteristic style, combining psychological depth with a tense plot. Highsmith's style is marked by conciseness and precision, allowing the reader to focus on the inner world of the characters and their motivations. The language of the work is simple and clear, yet rich in details that help create an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Literary techniques used by Highsmith include internal monologues and dialogues that reveal the psychological aspects of the characters. The structure of the story is built to gradually increase tension, drawing the reader into a world where moral boundaries are blurred, and characters act on the edge of what is permissible. Highsmith masterfully uses elements of suspense to keep the reader's attention, creating a sense of constant threat and unpredictability in the development of events.

Interesting Facts

• The book is the fifth and final in the series about Tom Ripley, the well-known antihero created by Patricia Highsmith.
• In this novel, Tom Ripley faces the threat of exposure of his past crimes, creating a tense atmosphere and intrigue.
• One of the themes of the book is the exploration of psychology and morality, as Ripley continues to balance between his criminal past and his desire for a normal life.
• The plot unfolds mainly in France, where Ripley lives in a luxurious house with his wife, Eloise.
• The book explores the theme of identity and self-awareness, as Ripley is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and try to maintain his identity under the threat of exposure.

Book Review

«Ripley Under Water» is the final book in the Tom Ripley series, written by Patricia Highsmith. Critics note that the novel maintains the tension and intrigue characteristic of the previous parts. Highsmith masterfully develops the theme of the duality of human nature and moral ambiguity. In this book, Ripley faces the threat of exposure, adding an additional layer of psychological depth and tension. Some critics believe that Highsmith successfully concludes the series, leaving the reader pondering the nature of evil and identity. However, there are opinions that the ending could have been more dynamic. Overall, «Ripley Under Water» is perceived as a worthy conclusion to the cycle, highlighting the author's unique style and insight.